Front Panel Photo Masks

IMSAI is proud to offer high-quality replacement photo masks for any IMSAI 8080 machine. The photo mask is probably the single most important mechanical component and most difficult to produce. It’s important because it is easily the most visible piece of the machine. It's difficult to produce because the lithographic process used in 1975 is commercially dead in the 21st century.

These photo masks are produced using laser-imaged photographic process film. This film actually is color-capable, but the current photo masks do not exploit this capability. The details of the physical differences between the original and these masks are:

• Color: The background color of these masks is black. Very black. The originals were a very dark sepia (brownish) color, typical of black and white film.
• Resolution: These masks are 300 DPI grayscale, which has a sharpness equivalent of over 2,400 DPI.
• Thickness: These masks are 0.008 inch (0.2 mm) thick, the originals were 0.005 inch (0.127 mm) thick.
• Transparency: Because these masks are thicker, the mylar substrate is almost imperceptibly less transparent than the originals. It is only noticeable holding an original alongside a new mask up to a light. The increased contrast with the darker background more than compensates.

There are several photo masks available. The following table describes each one.

These photo masks are produced in professional graphics facilities for outstanding quality.

Check out the acrylic panels or white masks if you need them, too.

92-30001512

This photo mask is the legendary “IMSAI 8080” mask used in the production of approximately 20,000 units. It is the standard photo mask for the CP-A Rev-4 board. The artwork was produced from a precision 2,400 DPI scan of a reference 1970s photo mask and cleaned up to reduce pinholes and other blemishes. Every visual aspect of the original artwork has been preserved, including the anomalies that make it authentic.

This mask is the original, which had a layout error resulting in the control switch and LED section was offset to the left by 0.050 inch (1.27 mm). It is barely noticeable unless you’re looking for it. If you want the original, warts and all, this is the one. It is not currently in production, as it has been replaced with the Rev-2 92-30001522 mask. Contact us with a request if you want this one. If we get at least 10 requests, we'll make a run of them.

92-30001522

This photo mask is the legendary “IMSAI 8080” mask used in the production of approximately 20,000 units. It is the standard photo mask for the CP-A Rev-4 board. The artwork was produced from a precision 2,400 DPI scan of a reference 1970s photo mask and cleaned up to reduce pinholes and other blemishes. Every visual aspect of the original artwork has been preserved, including the anomalies that make it authentic.

This mask does differ from the original. The control switch and LED section was offset to the right by 0.050 inch (1.27 mm) to correct an original layout error.

Order from the list below. Be advised that these components may not be compatible with non-IMSAI clone systems.

92-30001622

This photo mask is a variant of the legendary “IMSAI 8080” mask, and replaces the top SINGLE STEP legend with SLOW STEP. It is the standard photo mask for the CP-A Rev-5 board. The artwork was produced from a precision 2,400 DPI scan of a reference 1970s photo mask and cleaned up to reduce pinholes and other blemishes. Every visual aspect of the original artwork has been preserved, including the anomalies that make it authentic.

Order from the list below. Be advised that these components may not be compatible with non-IMSAI clone systems.

92-30001722

This photo mask is a variant of the legendary “IMSAI 8080” mask with all but the RESET and PWR switches removed. It is the standard photo mask for the DP-A board. The artwork was produced from a precision 2,400 DPI scan of a reference 1970s photo mask and cleaned up to reduce pinholes and other blemishes. Every visual aspect of the original artwork has been preserved, including the anomalies that make it authentic.

Order from the list below.

92-30001822

This photo mask is a variant of the legendary “IMSAI 8080” mask with all but the RESET and PWR switches removed. It is an optional photo mask for the OEM I-series cabinet. The artwork was produced from a precision 2,400 DPI scan of a reference 1970s photo mask and cleaned up to reduce pinholes and other blemishes. Every visual aspect of the original artwork has been preserved, including the anomalies that make it authentic.

Order from the list below.