CNC'ing SEM parts and 80386 and 80486 photography funding

I thought I'd give the whole crowdfunding thing a try: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-intel-80386-and-80486/x/7938325

If you like the stuff you've seen here on my blog and on siliconpr0n.org, consider helping me recoup some of the costs and keep generating data

In other news...

Over the weekend I spent some time learning CNC stuff better and managed to get my Sherline 2000 CNC mill cranking out SEM parts.  Here's a backplot:

Everything is done in one pass with a 1/8" endmill to leave the part slightly attached on the two sides.  Here is a stock piece:

Milling started:

After a more:

Gasket fit check:

 Comparison with the original:

The original is stainless but thats a bit hard to cut on my system so I did aluminum.  Next I will cut a hole in it and attach a KW25 vacuum port.  This will allow me to attach a vacuum gauge to better understand if the SEM has a healthy vacuum system.

Rolling with the SEM

Minor updates...

The SEM is off the pallet.  Used a cherry picker with some help from a friend to lift it one side at a time:

Now its on wheels and isn't quite so tall:

The rack on the left will hold the pump and maybe computerized control system.

I also got replacement vacuum hosing:

Its reinforced but still would collapse under vacuum.  Fortunately, I only need it a short length so I can connect stainless vacuum hose

Currently working on learning CNC better so I can make some new vacuum ports for a vacuum gauge.

I also got an EDS detector in the mail:

It needs some TLC but should still be fun, more on that later.

Also picked up some wire bonders at industrial auction:

The base unit seems to work but needs a microscope (check but need to make adapter) and acquire a tip ($30 on eBay) + spool/tensioner.  I don't have the latter which shouldn't be too hard to make but may require a lot of tweaking to get it working properly.

Finally, the microscope camera now has frame lock and has been upgraded to linux-next.  I tried to submit to linux kenrel but don't think it e-mailed out.  In case I get hit by a bus, here is my Linux AmScope MU800 camera driver: http://siliconpr0n.org/uv/mu800/0001-media-gspca_touptek-Add-support-for-ToupTek-UCMOS-se.patch  I also white-balanced my camera.  Unfortunately, the driver as written cannot reach the right thresholds.  Instead, I hard coded the RGB values in my local build.  Hopefully will fix these in near future...