Rear cover for 1130 light panel designed to be laser cut at nearby Maker Space

PEDESTAL ON 1130 WITH LIGHT DISPLAYS

The IBM 1130 displays the status of the machine and contents of the major registers on a panel that is mounted on pedestals above the main console printer (typewriter). There are roughly 150 lights behind the panel. 

These bulbs are sitting in a plastic honeycomb structure behind the panel, each powered by 7.25VAC through an SCR. The SCR is triggered by either a gate carrying the signal to be indicated by the light, or by a common lamp test signal that will illuminate all the bulbs simultaneously as a check for any burned out filaments. 

The cabinet holding this structure atop the pedestals has a rear door that is hinged at the bottom and latched at the top, with air vents due to the heat produced by so many bulbs and the SCRs driving them. The bottom hinges are clamped onto a lip on the cabinet, rather than having a hole into which they are bolted. 

Rear cover for 1130 display panel

MISSING REAR COVER ON THE UNIT I AM RESTORING

The IBM 1130 system I am restoring for a museum up north does not have the rear cover nor the clamp on hinges. This is a bit unsightly and can allow external objects to snap wires or structures inside during transport. I decided that it needs some kind of a cover installed. 

DESIGN VECTOR IMAGE OF REAR PANEL WITH INKSCAPE

I had the measurements of the rear cover and worked out a way to affix it to the cabinet without needing the clamp on hinges of the original metal cover. There are lips along all four edges - 3/8" wide at top and bottom, 1/2" on the left and right sides. 

Rather than use a hinge, I chose to use clamping knobs with female threads and a bolt with washer to grab the lip on the inside. The ones on the bottom hold the cover up in place and the two side clamps lock it into place, so I used a T shaped bolt head for those so that the loosened bolt can be rotated to release or grab the lip. 

Thus, my design includes holes for the bolts and a number of long horizontal ventilation slots as well. 

Vector file for cutting the rear cover

LASER CUTTER TO CARVE UP ACRYLIC PANEL TO SERVE AS REAR COVER

I bought an acrylic panel and will bring it over to the Melbourne Maker Space where I can use the laser cutter with my vector file to cut the outline, slots and holes. Once done, I can spray the panel with a plastic primer and a suitable gray paint to fit the paint scheme of the IBM 1130.