Hiya Everybody,
It has been a number of months, however issues are nonetheless transferring alongside. I’d prefer to take this chance to remind everybody to descale their machine. Even if you’re utilizing filtered water or a customized water mix, it has been stunning to see how many individuals run into points brought on by scale buildup.
So, what’s scale? It’s the buildup of minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium) that naturally happen in water. When water is heated and evaporates contained in the boiler, these minerals stay behind and start to kind deposits. Over time, they’ll coat key elements such because the fluid stage probe, which can trigger it to malfunction. Whereas these machines are designed and constructed for a lifetime of use with minimal upkeep, descaling is without doubt one of the most necessary steps to make sure that longevity.
Manufacturing Updates
We’re at the moment within the 2200 order numbers. Course of and operational enhancements are by no means easy. When the identical enterprise is managing every thing from procurement to meeting and delivery, there are numerous small items that must be refined to maintain issues operating easily. The excellent news is that progress continues in the best path.
We’ve decreased our total backlog to about 550 machines and are persistently delivery extra orders than we’re receiving. This has been a significant milestone in catching up. On the present price, we anticipate lowering our lead time from six months down to 3 months inside the subsequent six months. Whereas fluctuations so as quantity might have an effect on this timeline, that is the place issues stand at this time.
To assist these enhancements, we’ve applied new programs. Beforehand, sub-assembly technicians have been chargeable for conserving all attainable configurations in inventory, which proved unsustainable given the variability of order configurations. We now pre-plan the required sub-assemblies every week as construct sheets are generated. Portions and stock are tracked on a monitor, conserving each sub-assembly and machine builders aligned and serving to to forestall bottlenecks.
Monitor displaying reside updates within the store. Crimson is low portions, yellow is precise, and inexperienced is a surplus.
Our up to date stock administration system has additionally been important in staying forward on components ordering. By monitoring lead instances and weekly utilization, we will plan extra successfully, cut back prices, and keep away from delays. Builders report the configurations they full every week, and this information feeds into our components spreadsheet, offering a easy, visible snapshot of the place every thing stands.
Staffing
Not too long ago, we had one full-time sub-assembly technician and one part-time technician transfer on for profession development. We have been lucky to shortly deliver on a brand new full-time sub-assembly technician who has already contributed significant workflow enhancements.
Moreover, we’ve simply obtained a verbal acceptance for a part-time Buyer Service and Elements Success function. This may unlock considered one of our machine builders to give attention to meeting, permitting us to extend our weekly output and keep on monitor with manufacturing targets.
Design Updates
Elements:
Elements proceed to be machined, powder-coated, and shipped in batches. This strategy is useful for money circulate and permits for ongoing iteration and enhancements, although it does introduce some minor variations in tolerances and high quality. Fortuitously, current batches have proven noticeable enhancements, saving us time in meeting and high quality management.
O-Rings:
We’ve been transitioning from EPDM to silicone o-rings. Whereas silicone has carried out nicely in sure areas, piston o-rings have proven barely sooner put on, so we’ve not but adopted them for manufacturing. We’ll proceed testing completely different hardness ranges to judge sturdiness.
Drip Tray:
With the present drip tray design, the highest lip that holds the duvet has confirmed tougher to fabricate. Whereas we just like the design, the duvet can sometimes shift misplaced when dealing with the tray off the machine. We’re working with our o-ring provider on a delicate rubberized element that may safe the duvet and add a layer of safety between the tray and the entrance cowl. Updates will comply with as improvement progresses.
As all the time, we’ll proceed refining our components, processes, and operations to enhance each our product and the general buyer expertise. These updates are a part of our ongoing dedication to constructing machines that not solely final a lifetime but in addition get higher over time.
Sincerely,
Ross & William
