Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#1

Post by krige » Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 5:29 AM UTC

Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock
vintagecalculators.com

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#2

Post by mysterydip » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 11:29 AM UTC

Anyone an expert on VFDs? LCDs became popular by the time I was into electronics. I've only seen calculator-sized or radio-sized VFDs. Is it possible to make one larger, like the size of a monitor? Is it an expensive process? I've got an idea for a hobby project but have no idea if it's feasible.

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#3

Post by S_A_P » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 11:38 AM UTC

mysterydip wrote: post #2

Anyone an expert on VFDs? LCDs became popular by the time I was into electronics. I've only seen calculator-sized or radio-sized VFDs. Is it possible to make one larger, like the size of a monitor? Is it an expensive process? I've got an idea for a hobby project but have no idea if it's feasible.

1980s stereos used them a lot. IMO they’re the best looking of the older display technology. As the article mentions they’re power hungry and complex-ish for displaying multiple words. Ends up being done as a 9 segment style or preformatted(custom made) words. Noritake still makes these. I would say, however that oled can look very similar and in most aspects is superior.

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#4

Post by janekm » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 11:39 AM UTC

mysterydip wrote: post #2

Anyone an expert on VFDs? LCDs became popular by the time I was into electronics. I've only seen calculator-sized or radio-sized VFDs. Is it possible to make one larger, like the size of a monitor? Is it an expensive process? I've got an idea for a hobby project but have no idea if it's feasible.

Getting a custom VFD made would be a very expensive process indeed.

If you need a very small number of segments then Dalibor Farny can make a custom Nixie tube, which is similar technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nHkhJ52iA4 Also a good introduction to how they are made (making a VFD would be similar but more difficult): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxL4ElboiuA&t=32s

Otherwise Noritake itron still make VFD monitors for industrial applications (seems they have high temp advantages over LCDs): https://www.noritake-itron.com/site2017/index.php?option=com...

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#5

Post by Gracana » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 12:20 PM UTC

mysterydip wrote: post #2

Anyone an expert on VFDs? LCDs became popular by the time I was into electronics. I've only seen calculator-sized or radio-sized VFDs. Is it possible to make one larger, like the size of a monitor? Is it an expensive process? I've got an idea for a hobby project but have no idea if it's feasible.

I have a Noritake Itron display with a 256x128 resolution, which is probably the biggest VFD that's widely available. High voltage is generated by an onboard supply, and you drive it with an 8 bit microprocessor interface, so it's just about a drop-in replacement for a typical small LCD module. Pretty easy to use in hobby projects.

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#6

Post by deevious » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 12:50 PM UTC

For anyone who wants to take a look inside one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4qiPhjW4us

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#7

Post by krallja » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 1:51 PM UTC

deevious wrote: post #6

For anyone who wants to take a look inside one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4qiPhjW4us

I love a good mystery!

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#8

Post by AkBKukU » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 1:54 PM UTC

mysterydip wrote: post #2

Anyone an expert on VFDs? LCDs became popular by the time I was into electronics. I've only seen calculator-sized or radio-sized VFDs. Is it possible to make one larger, like the size of a monitor? Is it an expensive process? I've got an idea for a hobby project but have no idea if it's feasible.

There are some larger 40x4 character display VFDs out there: https://www.noritake-itron.jp/eng/products/module/cu-u/

Gas plasma displays were made in larger sizes though. A common example would be the orange screens on arcade machines.

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#9

Post by numpad0 » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 2:25 PM UTC

mysterydip wrote: post #2

Anyone an expert on VFDs? LCDs became popular by the time I was into electronics. I've only seen calculator-sized or radio-sized VFDs. Is it possible to make one larger, like the size of a monitor? Is it an expensive process? I've got an idea for a hobby project but have no idea if it's feasible.

For a monitor, CRT did fine and gas plasma display was probably thinner yet robust so I don’t think things like 10 inch SVGA graphic VFD exist.

There are some early laptops in pre STN LCD era with black on orange monochrome gas plasma.

Re: Casio CQ-1 calculator and clock

#10

Post by manaskarekar » Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 2:32 PM UTC

mysterydip wrote: post #2

Anyone an expert on VFDs? LCDs became popular by the time I was into electronics. I've only seen calculator-sized or radio-sized VFDs. Is it possible to make one larger, like the size of a monitor? Is it an expensive process? I've got an idea for a hobby project but have no idea if it's feasible.

Not an expert on the VFDs itself, but we have a product that I've worked on with the 40x4. The display looks cool but nothing exotic (to me at least).

What's cool to me are the amber monochrome monitors, which we've used in the past. They are truly a sight to behold in person.