Hi,

Hope all is well. Here's the latest update on production:

We are close- very close. Boxes for shipping were designed, finalized and are being delivered shortly. The coated precision balls finally arrived although once we were able to finally "mate" them with the custom magnetic sockets, we quickly discovered that the sockets were not machined as accurately as needed. So, each socket will need to be machined one-by-one to function properly. I'm told that it's not a big deal but does represent a new task that will need completing. (Once again, you can't make this stuff up.)

Everything else is either ready or almost ready for painting and assembly. After testing functionality and precision, Ansonia (our manufacturer) believes that we'll be able to start boxing by the end of next week, making me cautiously optimistic. For KS backers, this means that I'll be sending out the survey for your finish preference and ship-to addresses. (To learn more about finish options, please visit this link at FloteYourTablet.com).

As always please let me know if you have questions or comments.

Thank you,

Dave

Hi,

Just a brief update. Ansonia (the manufacturer) is fully focused on getting into full production. While things are progressing slower than anticipated, much of it has to do with a commitment to ensuring that all components are precision-made and will function exactly as designed. Once the first few parts off of the line are approved, the Ansonia team then goes into full production mode of that particular piece. It's sort of like a roller coaster ride: it moves slowly up towards the peak, and then– BOOM! Things move very quickly. It's just that the "moving up" part of the ride is taking longer than anyone anticipated.

That said, most parts are indeed ready, and those that are not should be ready shortly. I can jump up and down and shout to try and make things move faster (believe me, I have) but the truth is that the process determines its own pace as we move along.Two steps forward, three steps back. Three steps forward, one step back. And so on.

Turns out that the roller coaster ride is a good analogy for the entire process of readying something entirely new for production: Anxiety, exhilaration, lulls, peaks and valleys. Yet afterwards, you always want to do it again.

Please know that we are truly moving forward towards full production. I thank you sincerely for sharing the ride with me, and for your continued support and incredible patience. 

Dave Cutler

Hi,

A few people have started inquiring about the status of production so I thought it time to post another update. I was waiting for more exciting news, but frankly, things are simply moving slower than I was told that they would.

The guys at Ansonia (the manufacturer) felt confident that we'd have the first five evaluation units built by now, but it appears that they won't be ready until next week. The primary cause for the delay was that Ansonia was sidetracked by another- and much larger- client who had issues that needed immediate resolution. So, most of their employees had to focus on putting out that fire. To keep things moving forward with FLOTE though, Ansonia outsourced parts to nearby machine shops, most of which have been following our project with interest or have already helped where needed. I've been assured that those shops are hurrying to get the finished parts back to Ansonia as quickly as is possible.

As for the coating on those steel balls, here's the email I received from the president of the ball company on Tuesday:

Begin forwarded message:

Date: April 24, 2012 4:22:21 PM EDT

To: D Cutler

Subject: update

Hi Dave,

The plater screwed up and will not be delivering until tomorrow or Thursday. As soon as I get them I will have the 250 press fit and send you an e-mail. Sorry for this delay.

* * * * * * * 

As the saying goes, you can't make this stuff up. Little delays here and there can add up to bigger delays, and this is a great example of that happening. But hopefully, they should all now be behind us. According to the president/owner of Ansonia, once all parts are in shortly, things will move very quickly towards assembly and fulfilling orders. 

While everybody involved feels badly, ultimately it is my responsibility, which I take seriously, and for that, I sincerely apologize to each of you. Frankly, it's been keeping me up at night. But please, please know things are indeed moving forward, and that we will be begin shipping FLOTE as soon as we possibly can. We are truly down to the wire, I promise; it's just that the wire has been longer than anticipated.

As always, please feel free to reach out with your thoughts (as well as your understandable frustration if you need to vent). I'm here.

Thank you again for your incredible support and patience with this process.

Dave Cutler

Hi Everyone,

Here's the latest update:

- All Kickstarter Rewards– save the FLOTE of course- have been shipped. You should have received them by now or will very shortly. If you do not receive your reward by the end of this week, please let me know, dcutler@dcsconcepts.com.

- Precision steel balls are scheduled to arrive towards the end of this week, which is a week longer than was originally projected. The precision ball manufacturer (based near Hartford, CT) tried to expedite the coating process I mentioned last time, but to no avail. (For the sake of moving forward, we are using the balls we have for the five FLOTEs we are building for testing/evaluation for the "big build". Of course we'll replace the old balls with the coated balls once they arrive.)

- All solid 5/8 inch-thick steel bases were cut last week. This is done by an enormous laser cutter the size of a truck. They are then delivered to Ansonia where they are machined so that the edges have a soft radius. This prevents someone from possibly stubbing and cutting their foot.

- All custom metal parts that require machining are currently in process. Same for those parts that require bending.

- Packaging for reliable and safe shipping is currently being designed. This is not as simple as it sounds (nor inexpensive to my chagrin) but once approved (this week) they move very quickly in providing us with cartons and interior packaging materials. My goal is to be as green as is practical.

- Although I've stopped actively promoting or marketing FLOTE until we go into production, I am in the process of building a new, more sophisticated website. While it needs some further development and updated photos, video, I'd love to get your opinion on it. Also, please let me know if anybody has tech trouble with it, such as loading, legibility, etc.– that sort of thing. Compliments are of course welcome, too :) 

Check it out at http://www.FloteYourTabletTemp.com 

- Hopefully, a lot will happen this week, and we'll be in production and shipping. I'll send out the survey for finish selection (see the new website for more details on finishes) and shipping addresses shortly.

Every single one of the couple hundred or so backers/new buyers has been incredibly kind, supportive and patient. I hold that very close, and am doing my best to not disappoint any of you.

Warm regards,

Dave

Hi Everyone,

Happy holidays.

In addition to the photo of the uprights I posted last time, I'm posting photos of parts that are either currently in production or have arrived (if sourced elsewhere). 

They are:

- Box of Boom Pivots (this is what the boom pivots on)

- Box of Cradle Tops and Bottoms

- Boxes of 250 Magnetic Sockets (see note about Steel Balls, below)

- Outer and Inner Boom Tubes

We are still waiting for the precision steel balls because I've decided to take the optional but prudent step of having each ball treated with a clear coating that prevents any risk of corrosion over time to the ball's surface. It's 20¢ extra per ball, and about a week of time, but again, I'm opting to provide a highly reliable product that will last a lifetime of normal use.

Next step is to build 5 FLOTEs and evaluate. I hope and expect that to happen this week.

Many thanks for your continued patience, but as you can see, we are moving closer towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Your aches and pains from holding your tablet too long will end shortly. Promise.

Dave