Completely happy New Yr!
Issues are going properly regardless of some minor hiccups. We’ve now shipped 146 machines (~order #238). We’re nonetheless engaged on enhancements to get a constant weekly output however that ought to come quickly.
We’ve no identified points with the brand new LEDs which is a superb signal so far and an enormous reduction. An inventory has been put collectively of the individuals who bumped into points with the unique LEDs and we’ll attain out to you all to see what your most well-liked technique shifting ahead can be. We will both ship you all 3 of the brand new model LEDs to swap in since they’ve a semi-transparent lens with coloured LED as an alternative of a coloured lens. Alternatively, we will cycle check a bunch of previous LEDs to 50,000 cycles and ship out the great ones to forestall the necessity to substitute all 3. We’ve discovered that if the lights don’t fail throughout the first 50,000 cycles they appear to be good for the lifetime of the LED. We can have a video displaying precisely how you can swap these in. Apologies for the continued delay on these.
Testing of the brand new Restrictor Orifice valves went properly and we now have began incorporating these into all builds beginning with serial 00107 except for 00110 and 00111 (sorry!). Serial 00102 and onward ought to have acquired a small ziploc bag with 3 elements in it for the valve included within the field. If this was not in your field please ship us an e mail. Everybody else will obtain these elements within the mail. We’ve the baggage all kitted with home packages out by way of stamp and letter and worldwide orders by way of low value bubble mailer. We’ve simply uploaded a video explaining how you can set up these elements right here: Odyssey Argos Restrictor Valve Set up
Sadly we ran right into a minor hiccup two weeks in the past. When moving into QC, we discovered that a number of machines had extreme water leaking out of the anti-vacuum valve. We had been in a position to pinpoint the problem as an meeting error with certainly one of our newer techs not correctly tightening the valve. Fortunately this was a easy repair and all machines have now made it again via QC.
Staffing:
We’re coaching certainly one of our present full time hires on the total construct course of to assist sustain with our construct estimates in addition to coaching extra employees on the total QC course of. We would rent one other full time particular person particularly for QC and any manufacturing guarantee repairs that may come again sooner or later.
Enterprise Progress:
Issues have been going extraordinarily properly this yr. We’re at the moment averaging about 15-20 new Argos orders per week. We nonetheless haven’t despatched out any models for evaluate or content material as our fundamental precedence has been to get our meeting course of sorted out and working effectively to meet orders as quickly as attainable. Now that we’ve bought the brand new restrictor valve elements in place we’ll begin to ship out one or two models to be handed round between reviewers. Whereas that is partially to assist proceed rising the enterprise, the first purpose will likely be to get some extra formal and goal evaluate of the Argos to assist set expectations for future clients.
We’re discovering a serious unfold of people that completely love the machine and are pulling photographs to their liking throughout the first day in addition to individuals who have struggled to dial in and determine their most well-liked workflow. Whereas we gained’t anticipate the Argos to fulfill everybody’s wants, we do suppose you will need to set goal expectations early on to assist future clients who could also be on the fence a couple of new machine.
Levers are notoriously troublesome machines to work with. Whereas it may be so simple as pull the lever, get espresso, there are lots of elements that we’ve included reminiscent of variable brew temperature, distinctive PID management, and built-in air bleed which all add new variables that may have an effect on extraction.
We’re nonetheless engaged on getting batch 2 elements ordered this week! We won’t be making any important adjustments between batches 1 and a pair of. There are a number of design updates which is able to make meeting, match, and consumer expertise barely higher in addition to carry half value down via design for manufacturability adjustments, however it is going to principally be the identical product.
-Finger pocket for drip tray cowl
-Doable drip tray cowl design replace to cut back splatter
-Tabs on facet of entrance cowl to safe into high and backside panel for higher alignment
-Added chamfers for improved gasket and o-ring set up
-Elevated thread size on heating components to enhance ease of set up
-Up to date boiler cap design to cut back extra materials and convey value down
We’ll proceed to make enhancements with as many being backwards suitable as attainable. The plan for a plumb in choice continues to be within the works and we hope to get into testing that design within the subsequent month.
New Merch:
We simply acquired some superior hats that will likely be up on the market on our web site quickly! This can be a restricted run of 45 hats. Relying on demand we might make extra sooner or later. We had some very cool Argos posters designed over a yr in the past however didn’t have the logistics sorted out to supply these. As soon as posted, these will now be drop-shipped from our printing companions world wide since they won’t slot in our normal Argos transport containers. Future gadgets we plan so as to add to our retailer embody Argos carrying totes, crew neck sweatshirts, mugs, and espresso shot glasses. Maintain a watch out as we add these. Prospects can have the choice for these to be shipped individually or along with your machine!
Nylon hat with Odyssey Espresso patch. [/caption]
Argos subsequent to an Elektra Microcasa [/caption]
