vfd sourcing and attach guide · 7.2 vfd module header..... 19 7.3 vfd configuration - boot loader...

Super Synthesizer Projects P0006-07

VFD Module Attachment of 24 Version 4 © K Guy Wilkinson 2016 www.supersynthprojects.com [email protected]. This document is subject to copyright, no part may be reproduced without permission except for personal use when building the Display PCB or attaching a VFD Module.

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Guide For Sourcing & Attachment of VFD Module

Author: Guy Wilkinson Date: 19th March 2017

Contents

1 OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 TERMINOLOGY....................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1.1 VFD Module .................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1.2 Display PCB .................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1.3 JX10 Display Module ..................................................................................................................... 4

1.1.4 MKS70 Kit ....................................................................................................................................... 4

2 SOURCING A VFD ..................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 NORITAKE DIRECT ................................................................................................................................ 5

2.1.1 Telephone Ordering ....................................................................................................................... 5

2.1.2 Noritake Europe ............................................................................................................................. 6

2.1.3 Noritake USA .................................................................................................................................. 6

2.1.4 Web Ordering ................................................................................................................................. 6

2.1.5 Discount Scheme ........................................................................................................................... 7

2.2 AMAZON ................................................................................................................................................ 7

2.3 FARNELL ................................................................................................................................................ 7

2.4 EBAY ..................................................................................................................................................... 7

3 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS ...................................................................................................................... 8

3.1 WARNING .............................................................................................................................................. 8

3.2 ESD ...................................................................................................................................................... 8

3.3 SOLDERING ........................................................................................................................................... 8

3.4 VFD MODULE ....................................................................................................................................... 8

3.5 TRIMMING HEADERS ............................................................................................................................. 8

3.6 CLEANING .............................................................................................................................................. 8

4 TOOLS .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

4.1 SOLDERING ........................................................................................................................................... 9

5 PARTS LIST .............................................................................................................................................. 10

5.1 DISPLAY PCB ..................................................................................................................................... 10

5.2 DISPLAY .............................................................................................................................................. 10

5.3 JX10 EXTRAS ..................................................................................................................................... 10

5.4 MKS70 EXTRAS ................................................................................................................................. 10

6 JX10 ARRANGEMENT ............................................................................................................................ 11

6.1 ATTACHMENT HEADERS ..................................................................................................................... 11

6.2 VFD MODULE ATTACHMENT .............................................................................................................. 13

6.2.1 VFD Configuration - Boot Loader 1.02 & Earlier ..................................................................... 14



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6.2.2 Maximum Height Check .............................................................................................................. 15

6.2.3 Soldering The VFD Module ........................................................................................................ 16

6.3 DISPLAY MODULE TESTING ................................................................................................................ 17

7 MKS70 ARRANGEMENT ........................................................................................................................ 18

7.1 DISPLAY CABLE ................................................................................................................................... 18

7.2 VFD MODULE HEADER ....................................................................................................................... 19

7.3 VFD CONFIGURATION - BOOT LOADER 1.02 & EARLIER .................................................................. 20

7.4 DISPLAY PCB & VFD TESTING .......................................................................................................... 21

8 JUMPER LINKS ........................................................................................................................................ 22

8.1 J1 - DIRECT ASSIGNER CONNECTION ................................................................................................ 22

8.2 J2 - CHARACTER DISPLAY .................................................................................................................. 24



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1 Overview

The display modification is an electronic assembly that replaces the old VFD, FIP Microcontroller, FIP Latch IC and FIL Transformer on the Roland Super JX instruments. This is a basic instructional guide for sourcing and attaching a Noritake GU280 VFD Module to the Super Synth Projects Display PCB in order to make a JX10 replacement Display Module or MKS70 Kit. Soldering and build techniques are explained in some instances but generally it is intended that people following this guide have a little experience in building electronics projects with through hole components. Contact Super Synth projects for the relevant fitting guide for a particular instrument.

1.1 Terminology

1.1.1 VFD Module

The recommended VFD Module GU280X16G-7806A is shown below. It is a wonderful piece of electronics. The glass is made in Japan and the rest is designed and manufactured in UK:

1.1.2 Display PCB

A PCB that is fully built and tested containing all SMD parts and soldered display header. It may be used for installation within the MKS70 or have a Noritake display directly attached for fitting in the JX10. This is fully programmed and tested. Users have to purchase their own VFD module from a distributor or a Noritake sales office.



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1.1.3 JX10 Display Module

Fully built and tested PCB and Noritake display ready for installation on the Roland display board.

1.1.4 MKS70 Kit

Fully built and tested PCB with separate Noritake display attached via a cable. The Noritake display has a right angled header attached and 14 way IDC headers and an 18 to 22cm cable are supplied. Mounting hardware and adhesive pads are also included so that the VFD is bolted to the Display Board and the Display PCB is mounted on the metalwork. This kit may also be used with a JX10 if users wish to use an alternative display or prefer a different mounting method. The kit is shown in the picture below:



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2 Sourcing A VFD

For maximum cost effectiveness users source their own VFD. The Display PCB supports other display types other than the one recommended too. The recommended Noritake display is expensive but it maintains the look of the instrument and fits in the space required. There is very little space available in the JX10 so when choosing a different display, fitting it could be difficult and the MKS70 cable fitting method will have to be used (definitely required for LCD). The Noritake 280X16 display is a full graphic VFD Module that represents the latest VFD technology. It enhances the instrument display and uses the same base technology as the original design so it is in keeping with the original instrument design. The part number is:

GU280x16G-7806A A character mode 40x2 VFD or OLED display may be used by setting the J2 link. This can also drive 40x2 LCD displays too but a contrast control pot and backlight resistor needs to be added (the GU280 also understands this protocol and emulates it should users prefer the two line layout). There are a number of variants of display available from Noritake. The one chosen is the GU280x16G-7806A because it fits inside the JX10 within just 15mm of space and has the extended font set. This version has very fast plotting of large fonts and also contains a miniature font for labelling screen sections and a standard 5x7 font for tone numbers on the patch selection display. All other fonts are generated by the PIC on the display PCB and bitmaps are sent to the GU280 over a parallel link. Other GU280X16 display types will not work.

2.1 Noritake Direct

http://www.noritake-itron.com/NewWeb/main.shtml http://www.noritake-itron.com/newweb/gvfd/catagory/Em.asp#gu280x16G-7806a/c

The VFD with European fonts is required and is denoted by “A” in the part number. There are other part numbers similar (e.g. GU280x16-7000G, GU280x16-7003G) but they will not fit nor work as they do not support the fonts or connection method required.

2.1.1 Telephone Ordering

Ordering VFD is best done by telephone and pay with card (website doesn’t take payments). The offices are all shown here and numbers shown below: http://www.noritake-itron.com/NewWeb/Head/Contact/ContactUs.shtml



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2.1.2 Noritake Europe

UK Tel: +44 (0)1493 601144 Fax: +44 (0)1493 600343 Email: [email protected] Germany - Munich Tel: +49 (0)89 321 429 0 Fax: +49 (0)89 321 429 29 Email: [email protected] Germany - Frankfurt Tel: +49 (0)6105 2092 20 Fax: +49 (0)6105 2092 99 Email: [email protected]

2.1.3 Noritake USA

Some users have had issues sourcing VFD direct from Noritake within the USA and instead source the GU280X16G-7806A from the UK instead. However, hints are given below if you prefer to buy from a US source. After registering your interest on the website link above through the “shopping basket”, they contact you about your enquiry and provide you with price and delivery. They pass your details onto a US representative. The USA website doesn’t have the GU280x16G-7806A shown but is available if you contact a representative. Manager / New Jersey Branch, Noritake Co., Inc. / Electronics Division 15-22 Fair Lawn Ave., Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Tel: (201)475-5203 http://www.noritake-elec.com

2.1.4 Web Ordering

If using the European Website to source the VFD. http://www.noritake-itron.com/NewWeb/main.shtml http://www.noritake-itron.com/newweb/gvfd/catagory/Em.asp#gu280x16G-7806a/c The way that the website works is that you fill up a basket with the required quantity you want, together with your details and they then contact you with a price and delivery. If doing this within the USA, then they refer your enquiry to a US representative & sales office. Noritake do not take payment on their website, note that the prices shown are for high quantities >1000 less tax and delivery. Noritake have an old fashioned system and prefer dealing on the telephone but take payments by card etc.



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2.1.5 Discount Scheme

Noritake do have a discount scheme for European developers using VFDs. In the link below there is a registration link where you fill out details for eligibility:

The registration is sent to Japan and a European office has to enquire and get a discount code. It takes a long time but can be worth it especially if you are connected with the electronics industry. USA is apparently not included in this arrangement.

2.2 Amazon

The VFD is available from Amazon and is more expensive than purchasing direct but is usually available for immediate despatch and includes shipping to most countries: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LRWQJG4

2.3 Farnell

Farnell do stock the VFD from time to time and is a very competitive price when available. The part number is 1495423 and the link is: http://uk.farnell.com/noritake-itron/gu280x16g-7806a/vfd-module-280x16/dp/1495423

2.4 Ebay

The VFD does come up from time to time on EBay and is generally a little more in cost than going direct to Noritake.



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3 General Precautions

Please follow these precautions when working on electronics for the display to avoid disappointment.

3.1 Warning

Throughout this guide there is a warning symbol, it means that special attention is required. Please follow this step exactly as shown.

3.2 ESD

Whilst performing work on your instrument, it is important that you wear an anti-static wrist strap to dissipate any static electricity during handling of circuit boards. The old 80’s technology is quite fragile in this respect and many parts are no longer available. ESD can cause stress on semiconductors and shorten their lifetime. It is important that an anti-static mat is used when soldering and working on the circuit boards. The replacement display module is not protected against ESD even when complete and wired.

3.3 Soldering

This guide is for users who are experienced in soldering. Needless to say, don’t pick up the hot end. Take great care when soldering and check your work carefully making sure that solder is where it should be.

3.4 VFD Module

The Noritake VFD module operates with High Voltages. Although during development touching with dry fingers has not led to any shocks it is best not to touch the terminals on the VFD whilst it is switched on. The processor PCB part of the display module is safe to handle provided that the power source is isolated however. The VFD is made of glass and has sharp edges, it is quite easy to cut yourself when handling. It is also fragile and can crack or break easily thus rendering it useless.

3.5 Trimming Headers

The headers used to connect to the Noritake display when trimmed with wire cutters have a tendency to shoot out at high velocity either landing somewhere they shouldn’t (in your JX10 and shorting something!) or flying into an eye. It is a good idea to wear eye protection or at least hold the end of the pin whilst cutting.

3.6 Cleaning

Cleaning in the electronics industry is often used on PCBs that are coated afterwards. The issue with aggressive cleaners is that they can remove the protective varnish on SMD resistors thus making them vulnerable to moisture. If the protective varnish is cleaned off with say IPA, moisture from the atmosphere gets into the resistor and changes its value. For the Display PCB this means that supply voltage could change or the start up delay could be altered slightly. Avoid cleaning and if necessary, keep cleaning fluid away from resistors.



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4 Tools

Some of the tools required (shown with blank board and Noritake display) are shown in the pictures below.

4.1 Soldering

For this project a Hakko FX888D soldering station was used, it represents great quality and value for money. The tip supplied as standard is adequate for through hole soldering as well as large SMD. A temperature controlled iron helps to achieve the best possible solder joints because heating is performed quickly.



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5 Parts List

5.1 Display PCB

The parts below should already be fitted to the Display PCB if you requested the JX10 variant.

Ref Qty Value Manufacturer Manufacturer Part

Number Description

Farnell Order No

CON 3,9,4 0.5

Pin header for connectors & fixings (Single row)

1097955

5.2 Display

The part number for the display is shown below. It is now unlikely that it will be available at Farnell Element 14 in the future.

Qty Manufacturer Manufacturer Part

Number Description

Farnell Order No

1 Noritake GU280x16G-7806A 280x16 VFD 1495423

5.3 JX10 Extras

These are required to attach the Display PCB to the Roland Display Board. They are normally supplied if users requested the JX10 version of the PCB.

Qty Manufacturer Manufacturer Part

Number Description

Farnell Order No

0.04 Duratool D01100 M3 Washers BZP 1623987

0.04 Duratool M3- HFST-Z100- M3 Nuts BZP 1419447

0.02 Duratool M310 PRSTMCZ100- M3x10 BZP 1420390

5.4 MKS70 Extras

Please consult the MKS70 fitting guide for the list of additional parts required for fitting. The items below are required to make up a “kit” for the MKS70. These are not supplied with a Display PCB.

Quantity Manufacturer Manufacturer Part

Number Description

Farnell Order No

Amphenol T812114A101CEU IDC Cable Header 2215249

220mm 3M 3365-14 14 Way IDC Cable 297290

Cut 2x7ways Harwin M20-9953645 14 Way RA Header

1022221

8 Duratool M3- HFST-Z100- M3 Nuts BZP 1419447

2 Duratool M310 PRSTMCZ100- M3x10mm BZP 1420390

2 Duratool M36 PRSTMCZ100- M3x20mm BZP 1419988

2 ETTINGER 05.03.103 M3 spacer 10mm 1466761

12.5 Propower

HDP-BLACK 1X12X25MM Adhesive pad

536775

Wire 24AWG 4 x 30cm for signals orange, blue, yellow, green 20 AWG 2 x 20cm red & black for power

10mm dia heat-shrink sleeve

For insulating the Display power wires under the power board and AC power terminals. Any sleeving 10mm to 5mm dia is ok, heatshrink is best.



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6 JX10 Arrangement

This section is a little more difficult because the soldering techniques employed are not conventional. This is because the underside of the display PCB must be as flat as possible so that it fits inside the JX10 without fouling the display window. Solder joints must NOT protrude on the underside of the PCB.

6.1 Attachment Headers

Please skip this step if the JX10 version of the Display PCB was ordered, these headers would be already fitted. These headers serve to attach the GU280 firmly in place and secure the Display PCB to the Roland Display Board.

A 4 way SIL connector strip is used to hold the GU280x16G-7806A display firmly in place by attaching to additional soldered connection points. These connections are unconnected and serve only to make the assembly more robust and maintain proper alignment. Solder the pins in a way that there is very little solder fillet so that the header body may be pushed down flush to the board with protrusion. It must be noted however that solder fillet must be very small as there is no hollow body section to push it into. It doesn’t really matter how good this connection is and so could be glued instead because electrically the pins are not used.



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Push the connector body down once soldered using a flat blade screwdriver and ensure that the underside is completely flush.

Next step is to attach the pins that locate the Display Module to the JX10 Display Board.

For the JX10, the display module uses some of the old VFD mounting holes to position it in place and secure it. Solder these pins as shown whilst minimising the size of the solder fillet. The connections are not used electrically but serve to align and hold the Display Module in place. Use a de-soldering pump or braid to remove any excess solder if required. The positions on the PCB are marked “JX10 DISP FIX”.



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6.2 VFD Module Attachment

The VFD Module is now ready to be attached to the PCB.

Trim the three connections on the Noritake VFD Module, it is not necessary, but good practice to ensure clearance. Some displays may be shipped with long leads and it could be an issue if they touch the PCB, every step possible in the design has been made to ensure that the leads cannot touch but Noritake have wide manufacturing tolerances on this area.



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6.2.1 VFD Configuration - Boot Loader 1.02 & Earlier

The Noritake display “busy” control line needs to be connected to the processor to ensure super fast data transfer. To configure this on the Noritake display link J2/1-2 have to be made as in the picture below. If you are not sure if you have early software or not - it is good to perform this step anyway. It has no effect on later versions of boot software.

DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP WITH BOOT 1.02 SOFTWARE

Other link options can be verified if wanted by comparing them with what is marked on the Display PCB.



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6.2.2 Maximum Height Check

At this point it is a good idea to check for line up and flatness. It is necessary to keep the module within 15mm in total height. Check that no components on the VFD Module touch the Display PCB. They won’t if using the recommended display. If using a different display, a cable has to be used with a fitting method just like the MKS70.

The total thickness of the module should be 14mm if built perfectly. It must be less than 15mm in height if it is to fit without an issue in the JX10.



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6.2.3 Soldering The VFD Module

The display can now be soldered in place. Start by soldering one pin on each connector before lightly squeezing and melting each of the two joints in turn to ensure flatness. This step ensures that other pins are soldered with everything flush, a mis-placed display is hard to correct after every pin is soldered.

Check that the display is lined up properly with the edge of the PCB and that everything sits flush with the connector bodies maintaining clearance between the high voltage components on the display. Ensure that the total height is less than 15mm otherwise it will not fit in the JX10. Now solder the first run of connections on the display before trimming them, solder the front ones first, trim then solder the rear connections.

Solder the next run of connections, followed by the 4 way SIL connections, note that only 4 of the 6 available on the display are used.

Be wary of pins flying off at high speed when trimming.



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6.3 Display Module Testing

Apply 9 to 15V power to the Display Module. If you have a current limit setting, make sure it is set at 800mA. This is because the VFD Module consumes very high peak current.

If nothing happens and the display remains blank then it is likely that the “busy” configuration on the Noritake display module has been forgotten or that there is a short circuit between connections to the display If it is blank, check that the input supply is between 7 and 18 volts at the power wire connections and that 5V exists between pins VD and VS on the debug connector. It may be that the PSU does not have enough current capacity. Go back through the build instructions and make sure everything has been built correctly.



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7 MKS70 Arrangement

This section describes the PCB connected remotely to the Noritake display. The display is connected via an 180mm flat cable. The cable only needs to be 140mm in length but 180mm gives a little more flexibility for positioning the PCB.

7.1 Display Cable

The display is connected with a 14 way 2.54mm Pitch Double Row Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC) and 1.27mm pitch cable. If making your own cable it needs to be made in the following configuration exactly as shown. Carefully noting Pin 1 on the connector marked with a triangle is next to the red coloured wire. A vice can be used to squeeze the connector together but make sure the cable cores are placed in the centre of the forks, otherwise it can short circuit.

• 180mm to 220mm Long

• 14 way 1.27mm pitch cable

• 14 Way Double Row 0.1” (2.54mm) pitch connector

• Connector configuration: Red strip at Top, Left face down, Right face down

• No cable strain relief fitted



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7.2 VFD Module Header

First fit the header to the display, a right angle pin header is used.



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7.3 VFD Configuration - Boot Loader 1.02 & Earlier

The Noritake display “busy” control line needs to be connected to the processor to ensure super fast data transfer. To configure this on the Noritake display link J2/1-2 have to be made as in the picture below. If you are not sure if you have early software or not it is ok to perform this step anyway. It has no effect on later versions.

DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP

Other link options can be verified if wanted by comparing them with what is marked on the Display PCB.

Note that this page is a duplicate of page 20 in the JX10 build up section and repeated because it is very important when using early version of bootloader in display PCBs supplied during 2015.



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7.4 Display PCB & VFD Testing

Connect the display PCB to the Noritake display using the 14 way IDC cable. Note that many IDC connectors have limited mate/un-mate cycles. The cheaper they are, generally means that they only have 5 cycles before they stop working. It is always a good idea to ensure they have gold flashed contacts. Pin 1 is on bottom left of VFD Module, and bottom row of Display PCB seen as the “red” band on the 14 way ribbon cable in the picture (note that the picture shows a 16 way as was all that was available at the time during development). When applying 12V to the display PCB it should power up and show the start up screen.



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8 Jumper Links

8.1 J1 - Direct Assigner Connection

J1 is used to tell the PIC that the clock and data from the Super JX is inverted or not.

The inversion option adds flexibility because it gives an opportunity to test before fitting by wiring directly to the assigner board IC10. This way it can be verified that everything works before disassembling the instrument. Wires can be soldered to IC10 on the assigner board relatively easily in situ on both JX10 and MKS70 with the instrument open. Tin the IC legs of IC10 first before attaching pre-tinned wires if doing it this way. Position “0” means that the data is not inverted and that it is connected directly to the buffer outputs of IC3 on the JX10 Display Board. Pins 6 (FC-FIP CLK) and 4 (FD-FIP CLK) in the picture below:



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If connection “1” is set on J1 then the data and clock are inverted because they are connected directly to the assigner on IC10 pins 10 (FC, FCLK) and 8 (FD, FDATA).

On the MKS70 display board the clock and data arrive through an inverting Schmitt trigger buffer after being terminated. On IC1 pin 12 for F-DATA and IC8 for F-CLK. It may be that for MKS70, it is more convenient to wire the 4 “FIP DATA” connections to the assigner using a 4 way ribbon cable and if doing so set J1 “1” on the Display PCB. It is recommended to wire to the MKS Display Board Panel because clock & data will be properly buffered. In practice during testing no issues have been seen with either method and scope traces show that the data arrives cleanly at the replacement Display Module PCB.



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8.2 J2 - Character Display

Lower cost OLED or surplus character mode displays can be used with this board. Even 40x2 LCD can be used too if provided with a simple circuit for backlight current resistor and a contrast pot. In the picture above, the setting for J2 to the right in the picture should be set to “0” (left) for the Noritake GU280x16-7806A graphic display mode or “1” (right) for using a character mode display or layout. The GU280 display also supports character mode and can be tested by changing the position of J2 and users can use this layout if preferred. However it makes the Super JX display look like an Ensoniq SQ1!

vfd sourcing and attach guide · 7.2 vfd module header..... 19 7.3 vfd configuration - boot loader...

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