Cover Clips and Manufacturing Update
Hi, everyone. Its been three weeks since our last update; we've been completely heads-down getting Touchfire into production. The final stage of large development project like Touchfire is a very intense time. All the details, big and small, have to be resolved. Right now!
And there are many, many details, from the artwork on the outside of the box to the final texturing on the production molds. We're not getting a lot of sleep, but we are happy to say that Touchfire is coming together nicely.
The Evolution of Cover Clips
Cover clips help secure Touchfire to an iPad’s Smart Cover by providing magnetic attachment points for the Touchfire keyboard's “ears”. The cover clip design we showed you when we launched our Kickstarter project was a clip containing a magnet, as shown here.
We tested these for many months, and ultimately decided that they worked ok but not great. They would sometimes get knocked out of place, and being on the outside of the cover wasn’t a very elegant solution.
We spent a lot of time thinking about cover clips, and finally came up with a cover clip approach that lives inside the cover. Here’s what a closed iPad with Touchfire keyboard looks like with these cover clips installed.
We found a 3M sticker product, similar to Post-It Notes, that allows the cover clips to be securely attached to the inside of the Smart Cover, but they can also be removed and re-positioned many times. We’re including a pad of 6 stickers with Touchfire, so you’ll have extras if you ever need them. Here are the cover clips attached to the inside of the Smart Cover.
The cover clips are made of a thin piece of metal, covered in plastic. Here’s how the Touchfire keyboard attaches to the inside of the Smart Cover with the new cover clips.
Manufacturing and Shipping Update
The complete Touchfire product, including the storage case, is made with 5 molds. We showed you one of these, the keyboard mold, in Update 14. We’ve just learned that the mold with the longest lead time should be finished by February 24th. So, it still looks like we will start manufacturing and shipping by the end of February.
But until we’re actually producing Touchfires we won’t know how many units can be made each day, nor how long it will take to ramp up to full production capacity. Our manufacturer has committed to running three shifts a day, so we will get to full capacity as soon as possible.
But we are not going to wait for the entire production run to be completed before we start shipping to you; we will ship out batches of Touchfires in roughly the same order that people backed our Kickstarter project. We will let you know more about the timing of the batches as soon as we know.
And finally, to all our backers, thank you so much for making Touchfire possible!
3,146
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$201,400
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Funding period
Oct 20, 2011 -
Dec 13, 2011
- First created · 29 backed
- Bradley Melmon 138 friends
- Website: facebook.com
Pledge $1 or more
83 backers
THANK YOU! Pledging any amount you feel comfortable with will help turn this project into reality. You will be listed as a contributor on the TouchFire Web site.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $45 or more
2096 backers
Congratulations, you've just pre-ordered the TouchFire Standard Pack! It contains a keyboard, a storage case and a pair of cover clips, all in black. Shipping is free in the U.S. Please add $10 to your pledge for shipping to Canada, $25 for International shipping.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $80 or more
877 backers
KICKSTARTER SPECIAL! We created the TouchFire Variety Pack exclusively for Kickstarter - 2 keyboards in black and white, 2 storage cases and 5 pairs of cover clips in colors that complement the iPad Smart Covers. This is a $100 value. Free U.S. shipping, please add $10 for Canada, $25 for International.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $200 or more
59 backers
Five TouchFire Standard Packs. Outfit your friends, co-workers and clients with TouchFire! Plus save $25 over the single unit price. Free U.S. shipping, please add $10 for Canada, $25 for International.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $350 or more
16 backers
KICKSTARTER UBER-SPECIAL! Five TouchFire Variety Packs - 10 keyboards in total! The perfect gift for your group of iPad toting compadres. This is a $50 savings over the single unit price. Free U.S. shipping, please add $10 for Canada, $25 for International.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $1,000 or more
6 backers
Customize TouchFire! Add a graphic (your logo, your signature, or whatever you'd like) to the bottom of the TouchFire keyboard and choose your keyboard and cover clip colors. 20 custom units are included in this reward, and you will be able to order more of your customized TouchFires at volume prices. Free shipping anywhere in the world.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012
Comments
Creator Ishara de Garis on April 16, 2012
It has been a long time and we still haven't heard anything about delivery. Is there a way to check that you have our postal address on your database? regards, Ishara de Garis (for Robin de Garis) ishara@radiantwoman.com.au
Creator Gary Ujifusa on February 23, 2012
Thanks for the update. We just returned from Key West and I was just wondering how the project was going. I look forward to receiving the keyboard.
Creator Steve Isaac & Brad Melmon on February 12, 2012
@Akwok - Cleaning Touchfire is easy, just run tap water over it and pat it dry.
@Becky C, Nancy - Thanks!
@Ben - Nice idea, but the cover clips also have mechanical interface to Touchfire's "ears". They won't mechanically fit into Touchfire's bottom section.
@Becky W. - We are estimating that we will begin shipping at the end of February; see the Manufacturing & Shipping Update section above...
Creator Nancy J Groover on February 12, 2012
Thanks for the update --- great communication!!! Can't wait to receive.
Nancy Groover
Creator Becky Weems on February 12, 2012
I love this project, why have I not received keyboard
Creator Ben Turner on February 12, 2012
Although it might not be attractive, it seems that these new clips offer a solution to people who want to use their Touchfires with iPads rotated 180 degrees: simply position the clips on the iPad (rather than the Smart Cover), and the Touchfire will be held in place, just as it is normally by the built-in magnets.
Creator Becky Conekin on February 12, 2012
Very lovely and very exciting! Congratulations! I am so thrilled to be a tiny part of this impressive project!
Creator akwok on February 11, 2012
A very elegant solution - congratulations! I wasn't so crazy about seeing those two clips on the cover and the possibility of them snagging on something. I wonder also about "static cling" of particles/dust/dirt/cookie crumbs, which my current keyboard cover (silicone) seems to attract - not a big deal, but needs easy washing. Good luck with countdown to the 24th!
Creator Steve Morgan on February 11, 2012
Looks like a much neater solution, hope they are shipped before too long.
Creator KC Bitterman on February 11, 2012
Well, I am starting to hope that this chimerical equipment will fit the iPad 3--because it sure looks like 3 will get here before touch fire
Creator Steve Isaac & Brad Melmon on February 11, 2012
No problem, Ryan. Just send us a message with your new address (the blue "send message" link right under the header at the top of our page).
Creator Ryan on February 11, 2012
Quick question - Can I update the address I provided for shipping? I need to use a new address.
Thanks!
Creator Geri Everbach Rybacki on February 11, 2012
yay! i must have watched that back in december, but started getting a little nervous with all the mentions of smart covers. thanks! =)
Creator Steve Isaac & Brad Melmon on February 11, 2012
Hi, Geri. Yes, we will work with both the iPad 1 and the iPad 2. We even have a little video showing how Touchfire works with the iPad 1 on our Kickstarter page...
Creator Geri Everbach Rybacki on February 11, 2012
phew! i see on the project home tab that i wasn't dreaming, it should work with both ipad 1 and ipad 2. is that still correct, i hope?
Creator Geri Everbach Rybacki on February 11, 2012
please tell me the touchfire will work with the first ipad. i signed up for two, and we have the original ipads!
Creator Steve Isaac & Brad Melmon on February 11, 2012
@BiteMyApple - Nice to hear from you!
@David - A third-party case just needs to leave enough room for Touchfire on the surface of the iPad. I'll message you separately to find out which case you have...
Creator Steve Isaac & Brad Melmon on February 11, 2012
@Timothy, @Jeff, @Ron, Thanks!
@Richard, Touchfire will work in that orientation, but since there are no magnets on that side of the iPad you will have to manually align it.
@Reginald, we are hopeful that Touchfire will be compatible with iPad 3 based on the rumors we've heard, but until we actually have one in hand we won't know for sure..
Creator David Schwartz on February 11, 2012
Don't forget about those of us who have different types of covers for our iPads. I personally find the iPad hard to hold because of the curved edge, so I got a faux leather cover that it slips into completely. It has a cover flap that works like a book cover that folds around the back, either flat or angled by inserting one end under a flap.
Creator Chris @ BiteMyApple on February 11, 2012
Looking good guys.. 2 thumbs up..
Creator Ron Melmon on February 11, 2012
You're welcome and looking good!
Creator Jeff Warner on February 11, 2012
Thanks for the update guys...still looking forward to getting my hands on the finished product. I can't imagine the issues you have to deal with as this progresses but very happy that you are making "on the fly" changes that will be to our benefit.
Creator Reginald Hirsch on February 11, 2012
Wonder about compatiabilty with new Ipad 3 scheduled for next month.
Creator Richard Gould on February 11, 2012
I happen to use my iPad with the home button to the right. I find the smart cover holds the iPad better on my bent knees -in bed on on the sofa. Will the Touchfire work with the iPad oriented that way?
Creator Timothy Dixon on February 11, 2012
Brilliant update. The one part of this product i was worried about was that the clips might fall off and look a bit odd on the outside of the case. Great solution and i can't wait to get mine. Keep up the good work.