DSKY Digital Panel Replica

This is a scale functional replica of the Digital Indicator panel for the Apollo Guidance Computer. It is designed to be part of a larger replica of the Display and Keyboard (DSKY) module of the AGC.

This project is composed of these component subfolders:

• artwork - artwork to be printed or silk-screened onto the glass/acrylic cover.

• pcb - KiCad 9 project for the controller PCB design.

• firmware - Arduino-based controller firmware. This module is designed to be controlled via the USB serial interface.

• hardware - 3D-printable frame components designed using Fusion 360. STEP and Fusion source files available. Hardware models used in thie replica were derived from models that are part of in the AGC Mechanical CAD project.

Bill of Materials

Part	Grainger Part	MFR Part	QTY	Description
M2.5-0.45 Brass Insert	1GNL7	TH-M25-SV-PK100	4	Brass inserts (sold as 100 pack)
M2.5 x 6mm Screw	6HB66	MPFD025060-100P1	4	Machine screw: M2.5 Thread Size, 6 mm Lg, Steel, Zinc Plated, Flat, Phillips, Metric (sold as 100 pack)
Body	-	-	1	3D Printable part
Retainer	-	-	1	3D Printable part
Light Guide	-	-	1	CNC or 3D Printable part
PCB to Light Guide Adapter	-	-	1	3D Printable part
Indicator face	-	-	1	Paper Printable part

Models for all printable parts are located in the hardware subfolder.

Interfaces

• USB 2.0 Micro-B port
• J-LINK-compatible SWD debugging interface (10-pin header)
• Power: +3.3VDC via a 4-pin header (2.1A maximum (estimated; software limited to 0.5A))

Printed Circuit Board

Summary below. You will find more detailed notes in the ./pcb folder.

As of March 2025, V7 of the PCB design is current. Gerber and component placement files -- all generated by KiCad 7, are included in this repository. PCBWay generously sponsored this version of the project. If you are building one of these boards, you should consider them for either PCB fabrication or full-up PCB assembly.

I often use a solder reflow oven in my shop. I used PCBWay for full PCBA services on this latest version, but with the earlier boards - I assembled them myself using a two step process to first reflow the back (LED) side using Sn63/Pb37 paste, then reflow the front side using a lower temperature solder paste (Bi57Sn42Ag1).

Painting

The original NASA drawings for all variants of this component, 1006387D for example, point to this NASA paint specification [1008809-1]. It states FED-STD 36231 as the external color of the unit. Good quality historial photos (examples here and here) seem to imply a slightly different shade of gray, though.

I may custom mix using Nazdar pigments, or I might simply use an aircraft-grade epoxy premix of FS36231. For now, I am simply using Krylon brand Ultra Matte Finish - 4102 Misty Gray paint.

Credits and Related Projects

This project is inspired by work by Ben Krasnow creating a DSKY Electroluminescent Panel replica. You'll find information about that project in this Applied Science video by Ben. Like Ben's E/L display, this project is driven by an AT SAMD21 microcontroller chip; the same chip is used in the multiple Adafruit microcontroller boards, including the Adafruit Trinket M0.

DSKY Digital Indicator License

Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike, all text above must be included in any redistribution. See license.txt for additional details.

My Background

My name is Riley Rainey. I'm a software developer by profession. I spent a number of years building aerospace simulations as my day job.

Getting Support

There's no official support available, but you can leave comments or create an issue in this GitHub project.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.