You know what? I want to fPCB this Tricorder.
Why the fPCB
To be honest, I have been testing the fPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) since 2024 and if I do want to go ahead with this design, this would be a big one. Before you question my sanity, let me explain why I choose this route: because I can. What I love about the concept of fPCB is that it allows electronics to utilize available space within an enclosed area. Traditionally, a product was designed around a flat sheet of PCB. This can be a problem if the product is hand-held or inherited unique shapes. So you either had a product with limited functionality or, a much bigger-sized and clunky outcome.
Which brings us to the TR-595E Tricorder. When I was designing the PCBs last year and also, fitted a gmprops system on a Playmates more than two decades ago, I grumbled why there was never ‘enough’ space within. At the time, my thinking was to power the Tricorder with a set of 3x AAA batteries, hence the fight for space eventhough in the end, it would make the Tricorder top heavy. But now, I am more to using LiPo batteries and so, weight distribution is not a concern. Still, I would like to claim as much space as I can since the rigid FR4 boards can and do make the available space awkward.
So, the solution would be to make the PCB as thin as possible, and maybe, make it look futuristic. So, the flexible PCB would be the answer. It was the image below which inspired me…
The Actual Opened Tricorder
OK, let’s talk a little about opening a Tricorder. In many Star Trek The Next Generation and the Series after it, there was only one instance where it was done. In Deep Space Nine (Season two of Episode 15, Paradise) the Tricorder was opened. Strangely, it was the MkVII and not the typical MkIX/X which was standard at the start of Season Two.
HMS was asked on a Tuesday Morning for a tricorder that would be used the next day. Mike Moore built it out of a MK VII body but then vacu formed it to be one piece and always open to hold the electronics that were needed for the active matrix screen. He made 3 vacu formed sets of shells and this is one of the original sets…only 1 ever got built and made it to screen. It was used first in “Blood Oath” and then again in a slightly different way as it was open to see the innards and the red ID label was changed to yellow for the episode “Paradise”. The original used Playmates stickers since Mike Okuda had no time to make new stickers and the entire tricorder was assembled in a few hours. This one as I said was made with one of the original shells, painted in correct colors and an original set of Playmates stickers were applied for the most authentic look possible. The last 3 pictures are of it in screen caps and what the screen used tricorder looked like open.
The TR-595E Tricorder so far
It’s been years since there was any real progress and unfortunately, there is only… one, me. For the moment, I am testing and re-aligning the board to that it matches every opening for the LED to shine through. The next step, would be to test the switches and also, the beeps. So, in essence, the Project is still far off from finishing unless someone pays me a lot to stay at home and do these stuff. Ha ha ha.
I am not sure what to call this Tricorder, which was designed by Arky and then let loose onto the Internet. From 3D files, to PCB designs, to decals and even the programs, it was all in his GitHub repository. Many people have downloaded it and made one. Some like me, opted to re-designed the circuit boards and thus, was not able to even complete one. To me, it was an ongoing project that spanned years instead of weeks. I mean, all I have to do is to just get the three PCBs made, set up the OLED and Raspebrry Pi and its done. But no, I wanted sound. I wanted wireless charging. I wanted better LEDs. I wanted animated screen which changes per every button press. I wanted it all.
