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2010-10-23 02:59:54 (4284 views) Ok folks... we've been trying to keep this professional and about the product but some of you insist on hearing more about the China life and what we're going through so... if you're only interested in DL2000 product news, skip this post! But if you're up for some miscellaneous, yucky and somewhat incoherent episodes, read on...
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2010-10-20 07:58:52 (5482 views) A week or so ago a different battery vendor had to be chosen for both the rechargeable lithium polymer packs and the non-rechargeable cylindrical primary cells, due to Low Voltage Directive requirements and UL certifications. That was a real hassle figuring out all the IATA, UL, EU regulations and so forth - we received fake reports for wrong products, the labs tried to use our weaknesses to raise prices, a mess.
But now two compliant battery vendors are creating the samples that will get us through testing, and we should have both types within 10 days. We keep pushing and pushing to get stuff done sooner, but it's always 1-2 weeks for everything, which is a shame because during this "dead" time we've got to sit here in China as our building is completely being remodeled and it's just insane, the whole place looks like a construction site with heavy drilling morning to evening. But we're using this time to complete the web portal (ownership assignment, permissions, log in, client-server communication and so forth).
The PCB assembly guys are working on the stencil, the micrometer thickness metallic sheet that allows precise positioning of solder on the PCBs. They tried to raise the price for PCB production and the stencils but their attack was quickly countered; we've got an itemized cost list in writing signed by the CEO in person! (Got this last time when they actually were able to raise the price). They try this weekly. Seriously, it's insane - you just can't trust anyone, we're getting a nervous breakdown because every day a different vendor tries to raise prices and we need to have heated arguments and we risk losing the vendor (they don't particularly care about our quantities) and having to find a new one and start from scratch.
To recap:
- Waiting for batteries to do the last test
- Getting an approval for foam production and we're moving forward with foam and boxes.
- Will be assembling actual production pcbs in a few days (micro "trial" run with the million dollar assembly machines - wasn't easy to negotiate).
- Mass production of plastic and rubber parts can start any time after Nov 4th.
- Software being completed (web portal and all), it's already functional but needs some "diamond polishing" :)
- body band still up in the air, we're emailing new vendors to see if someone can do the eyelets correctly. Not really mission critical but we want it.
That's all.
2010-10-20 07:23:17 (4241 views) 
2010-10-19 11:00:41 (4699 views) The DL2000 enclosure with mounted rubber parts and custom screws.
We still can't get over how good these new parts from the diamond polished mold look.
2010-10-18 11:52:00 (4833 views) PCB production completed.
The pcbs are panelized (required for automated assembly).
The color is black.
These PCBs have all the certifications and UL markings required. They are the ones that will be included in the final product.
2010-10-17 09:57:01 (5013 views) An issue has emerged regarding the privacy of management sessions.
The current client-server infrastructure enables multiple administrators to manage a male at the same time. Should this be allowed? Prevented? Should administrators be able to view who else is managing the male? Should they also see who is sending what commands?
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