WIP - 3D printable enclosure for Iomega ZIP 100 drive

[Andrew]

Most owners of zip 100 drives know how brittle the plastic becomes over time. You cannot even open the case without braking most of the holding clips. In the direction of preserving my two drives (one parallel and one scsi) I have begun to model a new case. Please note that my 3d modelling experience is very limited. I am using Sapr3D which I find quite intuitive.
The project is not finished, but I am sharing it anyway in case someone with more knowledge on 3d design can share some thoughts or would like to help.

What works:
a) The case is functional and prints well. I have not copied the original design because it is very complex, and even if we could model it, it would not print well (overhangs).
b) The measurements of holes/screws are correct and the PCB fits nicely
c) The holes for the drive side rails are a bit tight but get the job done
d) Attachments for the springs (eject mechanism)

Next Steps:
a) Make it so that the original rubber feed can be transferred to the new case
b) lower the front face by 1-2mm so that the disk inserts without hitting it
c) make rear cover (will have openings for the two ports, the dc cable, and the two switches id/termination)
d) Top case
e) Some way to "clip" top and bottom case (might need some help here)

 

[Tom2112]

Very cool, Andrew! Have you made any further refinements to your design?

 

[Iesca]

Looks like a great start!

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Fabulous, you're already far enough along to greatly simplify and upgrade installation of a borked Zip drive in a Mac Plus.

 

[Alera]

Thank you Andrew, I found a number of old zip disks and a zip drive to go with them in my grandfather's attic. According to the labels, the drives have things ranging from my grandfather's old lesson plans to some their children's (my aunt's and mother's) wedding photos. Unfortunately, the plastic of the drive was falling apart. I'm going to print this out and probably complete the top and back. Thank you, I'm hoping to be able to show my grandfather and the rest of the family some of the old photos stored on the zip disks. Granted, I could've bought a second hand drive off of ebay, but that'd be a similar gamble for if they were stored in as bad a condition as my grandfather's original. Anyway, if I finish the model I'll post it here and on thingiverse. I'll link back to this post on thingiverse, but if you'd prefer not to have it posted there at all, please let me know