Now that we had a good source for the mechanical dimensions, I could start making the 3D models...

Not so fast. The DSKY had many iterations, different versions, each one using older and newer parts, and getting through this whole structure can be a bit overwhelming at first. Thankfully, Ron over at the VirtualAGC website created a nice way of exploring the numerous parts that make a complete AGC/DSKY.

The AGC has a complex history, but it can be roughly summarized to :

• Block I: used in the ill-fated Apollo I, and 4-5-6
• Block II: all the later missions.

Once again, I cannot recommend the VirtualAGC website enough, it goes in much greater detail into the story of this machine.

Ron mentioned that people seemed to be interested in 3D CAD models based on the actual mechanical drawings. At first, I just wanted to use the external dimensions from the MIT plans for an accurate 3D printed replica,... However, I could go the extra mile and pitch into the effort of preserving a part of the space exploration history. Creating an exact 3D model is a much greater challenge than just keeping the internal dimensions, but much more rewarding.

I could then create a copy of the model if I ever needed to adapt some features for 3D printing.

First thing was select which version to work on. The Block II DSKY is much more recognizable than the Block I, and there was much documentation available... For some reason, I decided to base all my models on the latest iteration: Skylab 4 (CSM-118).

Digging though the Assembly Diagram reveals the essential parts for this project:

2003994-121: AGC DSKY ASSEMBLY

1. 2003885-011: MAIN HOUSING ASSEMBLY, AGC DSKY
   1. 2003947-011: WIREWRAP IDM PLATE ASSY, MAIN HOUSING, AGC DSKY
      1. 2004705: PLATE, IDM, MAIN HOUSING, AGC DSKY
      2. 2003951-021: CONNECTOR PLATE ASSY, MAIN HOUSING, AGC DSKY
         1. 2004923-011: PLATE, CONNECTOR, MAIN HOUSING, AGC DSKY
   2. 2003882-011: CONNECTOR PLATE, WIRED ASSY, AGC DSKY
      1. 2003951-021: CONNECTOR PLATE ASSY, MAIN HOUSING, AGC DSKY
         1. 2004923-011: PLATE, CONNECTOR, MAIN HOUSING, AGC DSKY
2. 2004900: COVER, REAR, AGC DSKY
3. 2003949-041==>2003949-031: FRONT HOUSING ASSEMBLY, AGC DSKY
   1. 2004968-021: HOUSING, FRONT, AGC DSKY
   2. 1006351: GASKET, BONDED, RUBBER, RETAINED
   3. 2003959-011: ADAPTER PLATE ASSY, AGC DSKY
      1. 2004919-021: PLATE, ADAPTER, AGC DSKY
      2. 2003957-011: CONNECTOR PLATE ASSY, INDICATOR, DIGITAL, AGC DSKY
         1. 2004920: PLATE, CONNECTOR, INDICATOR, DIGITAL, AGC DSKY
      3. 2003958-011: CONNECTOR PLATE ASSY, INDICATOR, ALARM, AGC DSKY
         1. 2004921: PLATE, CONNECTOR, INDICATOR, ALARM, AGC DSKY
   4. 2003948-011: CONNECTOR PLATE ASSY, FRONT HOUSING, AGC DSKY
4. 2004739-001==>2004929-001: COVER, FRONT, AGC DSKY
5. 1006387-003: INDICATOR, ALARM, SPECIFICATION CONTROL DRAWING
6. 1006315-001: INDICATOR, DIGITAL, ELECTROLUMINESCENT, SPECIFICATION CONTROL DRAWING
   

In bold are the individual parts that need to be modeled to create the assembly.