Floppy Transit Protector

[fehervaria]

Do you remember for this guy?
I decided to recreate this Apple Floppy Transit Protector to be more accurate for the restorations works.
Do you have some original? I've found only two pictures, based on them I do my design.
((Native Japan speakers, could you please check the text?))
This is one of my source: Transit Protector

 

[ScutBoy]

I have a couple. Do you want pictures, or do you want an original, preferably on loan?

 

[fehervaria]

I have a couple. Do you want pictures, or do you want an original, preferably on loan?

Thank you.
I have one good resolution photo about both sides but if you could do HiRes photos from exact 90 degree about both sides that would help a lot. Also would be great to have it in my hands to feel the material, the flexibility, but I'm in Germany - don't risk it with postage.

 

[RetroViator]

Does this help? If not, I can try it again.

 

[fehervaria]

Fantastic!
Thank you. Finally I can see, how the bottom side looks like.

 

[karl]

Minor nitpick: it looks like you used Arial for the text when the original was Helvetica

 

[fehervaria]

Minor nitpick: it looks like you used Arial for the text when the original was Helvetica

Thank you. I will check it.
It must be some special variant, all letter's are "rounded"...

 

[pfuentes69]

Hi. I've been trying to get some of these.
Did you try already to print one?

 

[fehervaria]

Hi. I've been trying to get some of these.
Did you try already to print one?

Yes, in one of the earlier state - this project is already few years old. I don't have 3D printer, one of my very good friend printed few versions.
I am still working on it, the back side is not ready yet. It is a low prio project, made in SketchUp Free.
((( I don't like Fusion 360, it is "too much" for me. )))

 

[pfuentes69]

I found this model some months ago, which seems pretty less elaborated than yours. I tried to get it printed by PCBWay (I don't have printer) and they refused the design because it was too thin for their standards.
It would be interesting to see how yours ends up...

 

[pfuentes69]

Hello
I finally got printed that model I mentioned above.


It seems quite nice, but maybe the zone for the heads is too thick.
How thick is the head contact zone in the original?

 

[lilliputian]

Unfortunately I don't have calipers to measure, and there's a rim blocking the edge, but here are some pics to compare. The head area is noticeably thinner, being more translucent than the rest of the plastic.

 

[fehervaria]

Hello
I finally got printed that model O mentioned above.
View attachment 5129View attachment 5130

It seems quite nice, but maybe the zone for the heads is too thick.
How thick is the head contact zone in the original?

Very cool!
Based on the pictures what we've got from @RetroViator and @lilliputian it is "much thinner" but that goes between the read/write heads. if it is less than a millimeter than it is ok.
When you eject a disk from the drive, the upper head moves away from the lower head approx 3mm.
I think if the head area is less than one mm, than it will bo OK for the heads and possible to 3D print too.

I am not ready with my 3D model in SketchUp yet, I would like to finish the other side too.
Were you so kind to share the final model for us? Or do you need access to my model?

 

[pfuentes69]

Very cool!
Based on the pictures what we've got from @RetroViator and @lilliputian it is "much thinner" but that goes between the read/write heads. if it is less than a millimeter than it is ok.
When you eject a disk from the drive, the upper head moves away from the lower head approx 3mm.
I think if the head area is less than one mm, than it will bo OK for the heads and possible to 3D print too.

I am not ready with my 3D model in SketchUp yet, I would like to finish the other side too.
Were you so kind to share the final model for us? Or do you need access to my model?

Thanks, @lilliputian and @fehervaria

My main goal is to use this to store older Macs in a way that the metal plate that holds the upper head is not in tension, as I heard in long term this causes deformation and read/write errors.

In the model I used (it's not mine, I linked it in my post of November 15th) this area is about 1mm thick. I hope that's OK. I'm just worried that the surface finish is not too smooth, and it could scratch the heads if I forget to remove when powering on. To improve this I added kapton tape... I hope this trick doesn't backfire.

 

[lilliputian]

For the 3D-printed ones, you might consider sanding down the head-rest portion with fine grit sandpaper to get them as close to a smooth polish as possible.

 

[retr01]

Interesting. The 3.5 floppy drive protector designs herein look like what I saw back in the day. Back in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s or so, those were popularly placed in the internal 3.5 floppy drives of the compact Macs for transport, usually in one of the "Mac bags."

This picture is showcased by a museum in Australia:

​

According to an account from the donor of this yellow plastic 3.5 diskette:

"From about 1986-1991, the donor used to carry a Macintosh Plus in a carry bag from his workplace in the City of Melbourne to the nearest railway station on the City Loop, and upon arrival at his destination, about 1.5 kilometres from the suburban railway station to his home. This was not an uncommon practice at the time and evidences the portability, though limited, of the computer and its penetration into working life as a working tool. Laptop computers were yet to arrive, but were not far away. The yellow plastic disk was always inserted into the floppy disk drive to protect the heads in the drive during transit."​

​

@fehervaria or @pfuentes69, Is there an updated .STL file of this plastic 3.5 diskette that will work like this? I want to print several myself.​

 

[pfuentes69]

@fehervaria or @pfuentes69, Is there an updated .STL file of this plastic 3.5 diskette that will work like this? I want to print several myself.​

I used this model

3.5" Floppy Disk Drive Transit Protector by Cucurbitak

While reducing the size of my old computer collection, I've looked for the best way to ship them safely. I have some cardboard ones for 5.25" drive, but none for 3.5". After some research, it seems that if they are not common, they did exist, as presented by Museums...

www.thingiverse.com

But @fehervaria was working on one that may be better

 

[retr01]

I used this model

3.5" Floppy Disk Drive Transit Protector by Cucurbitak

While reducing the size of my old computer collection, I've looked for the best way to ship them safely. I have some cardboard ones for 5.25" drive, but none for 3.5". After some research, it seems that if they are not common, they did exist, as presented by Museums...

www.thingiverse.com

But @fehervaria was working on one that may be better

Okay, thank you, @pfuentes69. Did that model insert in and eject without any issues?

Hey @fehervaria, how did your 3D model work out? Please let me know.

 

[pfuentes69]

Okay, thank you, @pfuentes69. Did that model insert in and eject without any issues?

Hey @fehervaria, how did your 3D model work out? Please let me know.

Yep, it works fine.
I’m just wary about the lack of polishing of the area were the heads could touch, so I added on mine a layer of kapton tape to make it smoother.

 

[retr01]

Yep, it works fine.
I’m just wary about the lack of polishing of the area were the heads could touch, so I added on mine a layer of kapton tape to make it smoother.

Gotcha. Thank you.