Re: Announcement: OpenRPN Project Message #4 Posted by Nelson M. Sicuro (Brazil) on 12 Apr 2004, 11:20 p.m., in response to message #3 by Hugh
The 16x2 or 20x2 LCD is fine, and cheap. I was only thinking in a more "elegant" solution in the future, and this custom-building isn't too expensive if you can reuse it for hundreds of displays. Just an idea... I really like 7 or 14 segment displays ;) They can do matrix displays too, with controller (COG also), very thin.
Fire and water proof is awesome! I like the idea of metal case with solid plastic inside as some (old) Sharp or Casio are, the feel is pretty good and the circuit is well protected. And with screws, NOT melted plastic pins!!
As we won't(?) profit with this project, there isn't the need to sell a new calculator every time the old one is damaged, if the old one doesn't get damaged at all... IF we can build a very good hardware.
I was thinking on www.olimex.com to build the PCBs, they are very good and cheap.
For the keys... do you have any solution? Here are some silicon-rubber makers that can do a good job, but is silicon-rubber... It won't last long enough and doesn't have THE click! Double molding isn't necessary if we can "engrave" the signs on the keys with laser and fill in the traces with epoxy paint. Even if the paint goes off, is only a matter of repainting and cleaning.
I'm "polishing" some ideas to discuss later.
Best regards,
Nelson
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