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2010-10-23 07:19:29 (3934 views) This vendor is VERY professional, if not with timing at least with the product. We received a small batch of batteries, each one is individually tested for capacity, resistance etc.
The specs were checked individually for each battery so there's a big hand written chart confirming all the properties for each of the batteries.
The next step is to get the OTHER batteries (for the receiver) from the other UL certified vendor; they were trying to extend delivery date to Nov 1st with some excuse that they didn't have the connectors but we countered that and sent them connectors ourselves! So the delivery is scheduled for next Wednesday. There's a small cosmetic surprise with these receiver batteries, stay tuned.
When we have both types of batteries we can go ahead with the second and last lab test which will allow us to print stickers with the CE mark and affix them to our product.
Everything else is proceeding smoothly, we moved into our new home, a new body band vendor was located and a higher quality, non-stretchable sample's already on the way.
We've received a matte overlay sample, here:
This overlay is a lot more scratch resistant and it still looks good after you touched it with oily fingers... but it's not shiny and doesn't match our shiny enclosure very well... that is, unless we were to paint it! We've pretty much decided on the clear enclosures (and polished the mold so we definitely want the surface visible) so the glossy overlays (the first ones posted weeks ago) are probably the best choice. It's largely a matter of taste so feel free to comment.
If all goes well there's a chance our first few clients will start out right away with machine assembled boards as we have negotiated a micro test run with the PCB assembly house. But right after that we really need to reinvest all we can to continue with this method as their MOQs will kick in - or we'll need to do more begging or as a last resort switch back to manual assembly until we can go with the minimum order quantity. This is what bootstrapping is about - we're trying to keep it all together!
The assembly people were already standing by to do the micro run on the 26th - however, after consulting with their engineers it turns out we don't have enough components left at this point because the machine chews out the first few pieces of everything that's fed into it! So we did a comprehensive component re-count including strip lengths and how many pieces will be left after the few pieces are discarded (how many pieces depends on component size and packaging).
With this information we will proceed to order more components soon and then ... another giant step with the first machine assembly run (if they don't change their mind again - mandatory disclaimer on anything you read on these pages).
Now, every day something gets fixed but as you know something else starts leaking...
So what's leaking today? The cable people refused our order for a few hundred meters, imposed a new 3000 meter MOQ on us and asked us to put down a large cash deposit. Whaaat? We're experimenting new techniques to convince them to do their job and will report soon. We may be onto something, we're developing and researching a new form of mental judo where you use the laziness and short-term mindset of the opponent to your own advantage. This has already resulted in cheaper rent, and a courier delivery that's come 3 days sooner than originally anticipated.
Stay tuned...
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