Case Improvements and the keymat


simple spray glue is normally way faster than peeling the protection film from a sticker off

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All-3M-Products/~/3M-Super-77-Multipurpose-Spray-Adhesive/

Purely hypothetic, but I would argue that if the costs are comparable, a specialized solution with self-adhesive logos would be less messy for assembly:
1. Repeatability: when spraying by hand, especially a couple hundred logos, there is a possibility of spraying too little or too much, depending on the worker performing the task- time and remaining contents of the can are some factors, as is of course skill (let's face it, there are people who can mess this up).
2. Preparing the work table: if it's tape, the worker just needs a box of logos and lids, and a little space which can be unventilated. For spray he'd need a ventilated workspace, spray cans, some solvent to wipe any accidental drips, and if it's the lids he's going to spray, a screen to protect the rest of the lid (unless he either holds each logo in another hand when spraying, or lays them out and sprays a couple at a time, both which cause varying quality)

Of course, the goal is to have a cost-effective and time-effective solution, rather than simply please the assembly people, and the above is only valid for us if the costs of tape are reasonable (I guess if those were just small spots of two-sided tape, they surely could).
 
I agree, 5 years is a long time indeed. I'm also watching this progress since the Pandora, but just remember, if you try something like this as a oneman show, it will take several years, no matter what you do or how hard you try.
Unless you partner with a huge company for design and production which will either cost you a fortune, or you're out of the loop for hardware development.
I had a gemini a while ago and sold it, because it just didn't feel finished. The USB support was rushed, linux (what is mainline? :O) support is bad and the keyboard is not anywhere near a Jornada/Nec Mobilepro or other PDA I had, not even to mention a Psion Netbook.
That's why I'm glad Evil Dragon takes his precious time and makes sure there is a minimal number of flaws.
I'm currently busy with some bussiness on my own and it's waaaaay simpler and already took me one full year and is not ready yet (but hopefully soon, probably just two months :D).
 
Where did this seeming meme "5 years" come from? I was in the very first pre-pre-wishing-it-happens-very-first-pre-order, and that was 3.5 years ago. Back then it was a render and a hypothetical laundry list of features that we wanted to see on an end device. Those of us who did join then all knew that we were in for a long haul with no 'due date'. There were 208 of us in that initial list - likely less now as ED has been gracious enough to process refunds for those who wanted out.

Yes, there were discussions about a hypothetical 'next device' going back 5 years - there were also discussions of the 'next device' in 2008/2009 before the Pandora shipped too.

Lighten up folks. We are getting more progress and reports in the last month than we did in the previous 6. The bits & pieces are starting to meld.
 
How about a lottery?
Everybody is allowed to say, when he/she thinks the release date is two months ahead (only once).
The one with the best estimate get's his Pyra signed by Evil Dragon :).
 
Aaand a quick update:

@azouls (he introduced himself in the Pyra Render spectrum thread, he's one of the guys actively working on our moulds now) had another idea to improve the quality have less discolorizations / shrinking marks: By using a machine that heats up the mold as well, the plastic might flow better. So he tried that yesterday - and it improved things a lot!

So another step forward, besides fixing the issues the molds itself might have.

A first set of samples (with different materials) has been shipped to me on Monday, but that doesn't include the improved one with that special machine yet.

So yes, you can see, things are moving a lot faster now than before :)
 
Aaand a quick update:

@azouls (he introduced himself in the Pyra Render spectrum thread, he's one of the guys actively working on our moulds now) had another idea to improve the quality have less discolorizations / shrinking marks: By using a machine that heats up the mold as well, the plastic might flow better. So he tried that yesterday - and it improved things a lot!

So another step forward, besides fixing the issues the molds itself might have.

A first set of samples (with different materials) has been shipped to me on Monday, but that doesn't include the improved one with that special machine yet.

So yes, you can see, things are moving a lot faster now than before :)
Wow, that would've been like a month of back and forth with the old company. xD
 
I guess having both plastic and moulds at the same temperature should make plastic flow better.
Any updates on prototye assembly ?
 
I guess having both plastic and moulds at the same temperature should make plastic flow better.
Any updates on prototye assembly ?

Yes. We might not be able to fix all cosmetical issues, but at least most of them.

About the prototype assembly: According to tracking, the missing parts have arrived today when I wasn't in the office, so I guess they left it with the dentist (which closes Wednesday midday)
So I have to wait until tomorrow until I can grab them and continue :)
 
I guess having both plastic and moulds at the same temperature should make plastic flow better.
Indeed, but it would also stop the plastic from solidifying :). So temperature will have to be a compromise between reducing flow issues and a sufficient cooldown to make the part survive ejection.
 
Indeed, but it would also stop the plastic from solidifying :). So temperature will have to be a compromise between reducing flow issues and a sufficient cooldown to make the part survive ejection.

Does forcing the viscous plastic into the mould result in self-heating at all?
 
As far as flaws go i think stretch marks is not too bad as long as it doesn't affect integrity.
It looks actually pretty cool in the picture and maybe a mix of colour would look even cooler and unique if it is possible to do without too much hassle.
Of course if they are able to fix the issue it probably is the ideal outcome.
 
Indeed, but it would also stop the plastic from solidifying :). So temperature will have to be a compromise between reducing flow issues and a sufficient cooldown to make the part survive ejection.
Dunk it all in water. Assuming the mould is steel (although they might get away with aluminium for moulding plastic, I guess) it'll also re-temper the steel when you do it.
 
Dunk it all in water. Assuming the mould is steel (although they might get away with aluminium for moulding plastic, I guess) it'll also re-temper the steel when you do it.
I suspect that the temperature ranges are far lower than needed for tempering.

The moulds likely have coolant lines through them already. If they have the ability to flip between water (coolant) and steam (heat), they could cycle the mold hot, inject plastic, cool, pop out the part, re-heat the mold. There would be additional energy use involved and the process would be slower to produce parts. I do not know if it will add significant costs or time, but ED feels it is important to get the aesthetics right. He's likely correct. The pre-pre-order, been here forever, hardware nerds, like myself for example, here online would be happy with anything sturdy enough to survive both taking and giving a beating. The orders that have not been placed yet, though, will be influenced by reviewers - who tend to be much more concerned with aesthetics.

ED is following the correct path here - we need to give him the time to do it right.
 
Does forcing the viscous plastic into the mould result in self-heating at all?

Well, kind off, but the temperatur won't get high enough to help.

Dunk it all in water. Assuming the mould is steel (although they might get away with aluminium for moulding plastic, I guess) it'll also re-temper the steel when you do it.

Although I don't have the the 3-CAD files of the moulds, I guess they are watercooled already.
(What Grench said)
:)
 
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