How big is a cartridge PCB?

[JonBrawn]

Wotcha! Here's a question that I could answer with callipers and get an empirical answer, but I'm wondering if there's an official answer:

What are the maximum dimensions of the PCB in an official Commodore VIC20 cartridge?

[srowe]

The width of a cartridge can vary a little. The absolute minimum is 91mm, which is the size of the 0.156" edge connector. The more usual size seems to be about 100mm. The depth can vary much more, the PCBs in CBM games carts are tiny, about 45mm. Others, like the Audiogenic RAM cartridges are deeper than the standard shell.

[brain]

I used the 16kB RAM Expansion, as it's a full size PCB, as the model.

You can go just a bit bigger and still fit in the case, The standard VIC cart case angles out a bit from bottom to top, but the width can go as big as 133mm at the bottom and 135.5 at the top. The small dents in the top at each side can be extended from 59.37 to 72mm. The total height can be pushed just a tiny bit, but 75.74 is absolute max (and would rub)

You can also extend the PCB through a small "slot" in the back of the cart case, shown in the layout with dotted lines. You need to go .2" up and constrain the PCB to 54.61mm for those .2", but than can flare out as wide and long as reasonably makes sense.

Jim

[JonBrawn]

Brilliant! Thank you!

What radius should I be using on the corners of the edge connector do you think?

[brain]

Brilliant! Thank you!

What radius should I be using on the corners of the edge connector do you think?

I just got back in town and saw this. Give me a rest cycle and I'll measure it.

Jim

[brain]

Brilliant! Thank you!

What radius should I be using on the corners of the edge connector do you think?

I just got back in town and saw this. Give me a rest cycle and I'll measure it.

Jim

It's 1.27mm, give or take (I checked a few, and they are a bit inconsistent.)
Edge connector is ~3.58" (90.932mm), but I saw 3.575" to 3.584", so I picked the median.

[JonBrawn]

Thanks!