Unicomp Endura Pro 104 dissasembly?

[mico]

I just received a Unicomp Endura Pro 104 from an ebay auction.

Unfortunately some of the keys don't always register. Notably the zxcb,. and p keys did not work at all until I took the keyboard apart and applied pressure on the logic board. I believe there is a faulty contact between the membrane traces and the logic board. I would like to solder them on (or perhaps install a female "plug" on the logic board). I popped open the case but the keyboard/membrane back plane is bound to the bottom half of the case with an adhesive. This seem to have been done by the manufacturer...

Does anyone have any tips on proceeding? I'd like advice on the following:

1) separating the bottom half of the case from the membrane
2) fixing the contacts

Thanks!

PS: I actually typed this posting on it so it is working decently... I think I prefer the feel of a real Model-M however (circa 1991).

[sandy55]

Seems like dust issue or wrong positioning of key stems because you typed x c b in your comment.

Check again if those faulty keys actually buckle like other good working keys.
If not, pull off key stems from the board, and then reseat keys. You may have to try several times until those keys will buckle.  Also you'd better blow off dust using compressed air when you pull out the keys.

1) separating the bottom half of the case from the membrane
2) fixing the contacts

answer for 2)
somehow you can fix but not with a soldering iron.  use a conductive pen and trace faulty lines with the pen.
but main problem is, the answer for question 1) is NO.

Hope faulty behavior of your M is caused by dust and wrong seating of key stem.

[mico]

I think I wasn't clear in my original post.

When I said "logic board" I meant controller, and for "membrane trace" I mean the header that connects the membrane to the controller.

If I apply pressure on the controller pushing down onto it the keyboard works fine. I also typed the entire post on the keyboard... every key works with a bit of pressure applied to the controller PCB.

Thanks

[sandy55]

Sorry, micco.
It's my fault. I misunderstood your question.  I had to read it carefully.

I don't have Endurapro. no idea how the control board and membrane/backplane are binded to the lower case. Sorry for confusion.

[wellington1869]

no idea how the control board and membrane/backplane are binded to the lower case. Sorry for confusion.

I asked this at some point. consensus was that its difficult and hard to put back together, so I decided not to take it fully apart. I think iMav or someone has done this tho at some point.

[mico]

I asked this at some point. consensus was that its difficult and hard to put back together, so I decided not to take it fully apart. I think iMav or someone has done this tho at some point.

That's too bad

I'll figure something out and let everyone know how I dealt with the issue. I might just stick something inside the case to increase the pressure on the pcb.

[wellington1869]

That's too bad

I'll figure something out and let everyone know how I dealt with the issue. I might just stick something inside the case to increase the pressure on the pcb.

you could also email jim owens at unicomp for tips on how to do it. They're generally very helpful over there.

[sandy55]

A soft drive in my head somehow spined up last night while I slept.
IBM Japan 5576-C01 looks like Endurapro.  
C01 was made by US IBM and it uses M style buckling system unlike A01 which has very unique buckling key modules developped by Nagano Tectoron, one of related company of Brother Co. Ltd. ( the buckling spring key module is usually refered as *Brother switch* among manias in Japan )
US IBM made C01 for IBM Japan exclusively and they didn't introduce it to US/EMA market. ( I have not ever seen Endurapro-ish model made by IBM or by Lexmark ).  So, probably Unicomp resuse design and mold of C01  and sell it as Endurapro.
What differs C01 to Endurapro is that C01 has funny gimmic, a swivel arm with which we can set the keyboard straight align when we don't use it.

I disassembled C01 several times. assembling method is almost same with 5576-002 and A01. Upper case and lower case are tightly locked with plastic latches.

See pic of 5576-C01 at Kenjin site, and disassembling method is available in this page.
If you think C01 and Endurapro are same, and tend to disassemble Endurapro according to the page,  please be careful not to break latches or lower frame around lever switches for trackpointl.  
It's tad difficult for model M users.

Hope this info will help you.

FYI, C01 is an associated keyboard of PS/55E 5538( not MCA ).

[lal]

Very interesting. I think it's clear that, without a doubt, the Endurapro has been the 5576-C01 in an earlier life. The lack of the swivel arm on the Endurapro explains the strange empty gap on the back I've been wondering about. But I still don't understand exactly what purpose the swivel arm serves?

[xyzzy]

But I still don't understand exactly what purpose the swivel arm serves?

Rest the keyboard in vertical position when not in use, to occupy less desk space maybe? That's what I understand from sandy's message at least.

[lal]

Ah, I see. So you'd flip it up 90˚ backwards and look at the bottom of the keyboard. Now I understand why Unicomp ditched it

[sandy55]

Rest the keyboard in vertical position when not in use, to occupy less desk space maybe? That's what I understand from sandy's message at least.

That's what I want to say.  Thanks for good translation of my barbarian English ( some say Japan-g-lish ) and explanation!

[sandy55]

the strange empty gap on the back

I didn't know it. but it proves my assumption.

Trackpoint itself seems to be bit different with each other.
C01 has not c-rings, instead melted plastic studs keeps trackpoint assy.
Film cable is set different way ( learn through pictures by you and wellington ).

[lal]

Here are some more pics of my Ex-Endurapro. Unfortunately I don't have it anymore to take some better pics. Compared to your links above as well as this and this, I'm pretty sure the 5576-C01 is a direct ancestor to the Endurapro.

[TexasFlood]

Found this old thread regarding disassembly of the Endurapro.  Curious if anyone has fully disassembled one.  I got the keys and top off mine but that's as far as I got.  The plate which the keys attach to wasn't budging.  Looking underneath it with a flashlight kinda looked like it was attached to the case bottom with a double layer of mounting tape.  It's so tight in there not sure if I can get a picture of it but will try later and post a picture if possible.

[ch_123]

Yank it up. It's just a double sided sticky block.

[TexasFlood]

Yank it up. It's just a double sided sticky block.

Thanks for the reply.  Sounds like you've been down this road?  Some more questions come to mind, :wink:.  Once ripping it out does this lead to easy access to the contact membrane or what other hoops might one have to jump through?  When I go to put it back together, do I need to replace it?  Think they sell rolls of mounting tape at home depot and/or Walmart.  Thanks again...

[ch_123]

You can't access the membrane without breaking off all the plastic rivets on the back. If you want to then reassemble it, you will need to do a bolt mod.

[TexasFlood]

You can't access the membrane without breaking off all the plastic rivets on the back. If you want to then reassemble it, you will need to do a bolt mod.

I suspected as much but wasn't sure.  This is somewhat new territory for me.  I probably will leave it alone for now as it's working but was curious.  Thanks