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Update #33: Update #33 Production Parts!
Hi Backers!
wiki page updates at http://www.hexbright.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=mech
We have been doing fit tests, water-proof tests, and some light tests (see the wiki). I like posting to the wiki because it keeps you up to date without the mass email. But for those people who haven't checked the wiki, the above video shows our pre-production parts. I made a dozen parts to check fit and quality. Overall I am very happy with the quality but I need to improve the seal/fit at the back. As soon as I get that rear fit worked out, I will make 100 units with color. After we get through that, we will do the production run.
As always, thank you for your support!
Christian at HexBright
Update #32: Mini-Update
Hello Backers!
We are posting the day-to-day details to our wiki page-
http://www.hexbright.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=mech
This allows us to keep communication open without mass-emailing all the backers all the time. I still plan on making video updates but I encourage you to visit the wiki page when you want more details.
Thanks!
Christian
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Scott Wolf on April 26
I believe that "protected" Lithium cells are being used, they have their own built-in voltage cutoff to prevent damage.
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Jason stubbs on April 27
@Scott, you are correct, they are supposed to be protected. They should shut off before 2.8V then. Usually around 3.0V is good, and you only lose a small amount of the specified capacity, but gain a lot more in usable recharge cycles.
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Update #31: Moving into Manufacturing
For backers only,
Posted on March 18
If you're a backer of this project, please
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Update #30: We got Light!!
Well, actually we have had light for quite a while but some exciting things are in the works. Our latest commercially produced prototype (Flex v0.5) is working beautifully!! We are getting much closer to going into production. Some important pre-release software has been tested and I am happy to release the initial work (Hello World). Now some of you may think that a 'Hello World' program is hardly that exciting but this program is complex enough for me to fully drive the brightness of the LED with simple keystrokes in a serial terminal (See screenshot and Video). This example software also includes a decent library that includes a simple scheduler and fully supported interrupt based serial communications (key to debugging).
The code used to drive the current prototype, a circuit diagram, links to programming tools, photos, etc. are now listed on the wiki (http://www.hexbright.com/dokuwiki/doku.php)!! There is quite a bit of information on the wiki now so have a look.
Whats next?
- More complex software design to test the acclerometer
- Continued hardware validation including: Lumen testing, heat transfer tests, Battery charge testing, etc.
- Mechanical/Electrical/Battery fit tests
- Pre-production run (i.e. limited production run < 100units)
- Pre-production run unit verification
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Terry Cooke
terry@hexbright.com
(p.s. The wire ratsnest is the oscilosope probe, USBtinyISP programmer, power lines, two usb cables, and proto-board to supply power)
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full name on February 29
Also the accelerometer would be sweet for pretending you have super powers.
You swing the flashlight up to a stop at shoulder height, and it blasts a couple pulses of max brightness.
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camille on March 1
An elegant, free, 3-minute DIY bicycle handlebar mount: http://www.bikehacks.com/bikehacks/2010/06/mini-maglite-handlebar-light-hack.html
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Update #29: FLEX Update
Hello good backers!
Below is a new video update but let me go over a few points.
The devil is in the details, and details take forever, but we have the next batch of electronic boards made and being populated. The completed boards should arrive next week.
In the meantime we looked at aluminum coatings and reflector dish designs. There are a few popular coatings for aluminum-
1. Anodizing- very common and electronically insulating
2. Hard anodizing- actually builds up a slight protective layer on the aluminum
3. Electroplating- usually gold in color and conductive
4. Powdercoating- a relatively thick layer on the surface and can include textures.
Anodizing is still the preferred choice here but we were intrigued by the powder coating texture.
Reflector dish is still a major loose end for the physical design. We have something that works well, but we want something that works great. I will continue to work on a great reflector design until the electronics are complete. At that point we go into production with our best reflector.
Thanks for your continued support!
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Andrew Coffman on February 21
Perhaps at next update time the front page FAQs could be moved to the top of the front page and updated as well (although the "when will it ship" question is there for all to see).
Thanks to all the dedicated backers who take time to answer these basic questions for Christian and Terry so they can spend their spare time getting this finalized for everyone.
Put me on the list of "I'll buy your share" from any of the disgruntled "I want my instant microwave latte and I want it yesterday" crowd.
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Adrian Bjugård on February 21
@Andrew, the project page cannot be modified after the project is funded afaik. I think FAQ can be updated, but it certainly can't be moved up on the project page.
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Richard NL on February 22
@Andrew, @Adrian is correct - the FAQ can be updated, but the page not edited once funding is complete.
The Comments section is the second-best place for updating people (e.g. minor things), the Updates section of course being the best place.
That said, a couple of us dug through the various locations where official information is available (which is quite a few sites once you start poking around - in this day and age you have to engage your audience where your audience is, rather than keeping things centralized in one spot and making them come there) and made an unofficial compendium.
You can find it at: http://hbfdc.go.to/
The URL it redirects to may change at any time (due to updates from Christian/Terry, etc.), so please do bookmark that forwarding URL if you want to reference it.
I do want to stress that it is unofficial - although information in it is from data provided by the HexBright team and more often than not a straight copy/paste, only they know the current status and specifications of the HexBright Flex. ( and we'd be happy to make corrections/etc. )
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 18, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
Thank you! Every dollar helps bring the HexBright and the HexBright open-source lighting community closer to reality.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
Congratulations! You have pre-ordered the compact and powerful HexBright Prime, an amazing 350 lumens in the palm of your hand. The HexBright Prime includes the USA made CREE XM-L super-bright LED and two CR123A lithium batteries. The HexBright Prime is not programmable but has three set modes, high (350 LM), low (200 LM), and blinky. The HexBright Prime will retail on-line for $54.95 but you can pre-order it now for a $35 pledge. Your pledge includes your choice of body color (black, red, green, or blue) and shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Personalize your HexBright Prime! I will laser etch your name or a word of your choice (9 letters max) on the HexBright Prime listed above and ship it to you. This will ONLY be available on Kickstarter. Your pledge includes custom etching, your choice of color (black, red, green, or blue) and shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Pledge $60 or more Pledge $60 or more
For a $60 pledge you are pre-ordering and will receive the ultimate 500 LM HexBright Flex with the USA-made CREE XM-L super bright LED. This model is programmable and USB rechargeable. I will ship you the HexBright Flex with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a USB cable. No need to buy or replace batteries, just plug your HexBright Flex into any USB port. Plug your HexBright Flex into a computer USB to open-source program it however you want. The HexBright Flex comes shipped with default program modes of high (500 LM), medium (350 LM), low (200 LM), and blinky. The HexBright Flex will retail on-line for $89.99. Your $60 pledge includes choice of color (black, red, green, or blue) and shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
You guessed it! For a $75 pledge I will laser etch your name or a word of your choice on the HexBright Flex listed above and ship it to you. This will ONLY be available on Kickstarter. Your $75 pledge includes custom etching, your choice of color (black, red, green, or blue) and shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Pledge $90 or more Pledge $90 or more
The HexBright Twin Pack pre-order gets you both the HexBright Prime (350 lumens) and the HexBright Flex (500 lumens). Choose between black, red, green, or blue. Your $90 pledge includes shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Pledge $110 or more Pledge $110 or more
The HexBright Double Flex gets you two complete HexBright Flex (each 500 lumens). Choose between black, red, green, or blue. Your $110 pledge includes shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Pledge $135 or more Pledge $135 or more
For a $135 pledge I will laser etch your name or a word of your choice on TWO HexBright Flex and ship it to you. This will ONLY be available on Kickstarter. Your $135 pledge includes custom etching, your choice of color (black, red, green, or blue) and shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Pledge $220 or more Pledge $220 or more
The HexBright Flex Pack gets you four complete HexBright Flex (each 500 lumens). Choose between black, red, green, or blue. Your $220 pledge includes shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Pledge $270 or more Pledge $270 or more
For a $270 pledge I will laser etch your name or a word of your choice on FOUR HexBright Flex and ship it to you. This will ONLY be available on Kickstarter. Your $270 pledge includes custom etching, your choice of color (black, red, green, or blue) and shipping within the USA. Shipping to Canada add $10. International add $15 to pledge amount.
Project By
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Christian Carlberg is a trained mechanical engineer and an artist at heart. He enjoys projects that blend creativity with functionality. Christian's diverse work includes projects for Walt Disney, Herman Miller, Northrop Grumman, Sun Microsystems, GM, the US Air Force and a variety of TV shows and movies.
Christian, I noticed that when you screw the carrier in/out of the body, the LED will move in/out of the TIR lens. Does that accidentally create a change in the beam pattern (eg flood to throw)? or does it just make a complete mess? I wasn't expecting a zoomable light pattern, but if you accidentally created one by design that would be great to know!
Awesome insight into the product creation process. Thanks!