Hi there Everybody,
Didn’t intend for such a protracted delay between updates however it’s been busy! We’ve (type of) formally accomplished Batch 1 shipments. I say type of, as a result of we have now 2 machines that by no means acquired a remaining transport affirmation from the proprietor so we’ve resorted to ole usual mailed letter. Woohoo!!! General, we’ve been listening to nice information from prospects that inform us how their Argos is permitting them to take pleasure in straight espresso for the primary time or simply convey again their ardour for espresso.
Batch 2 Constructing:
As talked about, we went straight into Batch 2 builds utilizing the remaining good components from our Batch 1 order. Sadly, our cargo of Fill Tubes was severely delayed which set us again a couple of weeks, throughout this time we have been capable of construct 36 machines midway till these components arrived this previous week. We’re now all palms on deck getting these 36 machines accomplished and high quality examined as quick as potential.
New Components:
Resulting from some slight modifications in how the brand new components mate collectively, we did a final minute request for some samples to confirm fitment and keep away from hiccups down the road. Positive glad we did this! The components assembled completely, however the massive machined components had a lot worse machining high quality and end than our authentic batch. I despatched a full report again to the provider who reviewed the documentation and instantly started working re-machining the High Plates, Base Plates, and Spring Covers to ship new samples over.
A part of this situation stemmed from a brand new program supervisor since our final order mixed with tried value financial savings efforts. We have been capable of evaluation every of the vital particulars that have been missed and am happy to say that the brand new samples have been flawless. A full machine was constructed utilizing the brand new components and delivered to a neighborhood Weber Workshops x Prodigal espresso meetup the place I’m happy to announce the machine operated flawlessly throughout the steady 1.5 hours of pulling photographs.
The provider is expediting the manufacturing to cut back the extra delays that this has inevitably brought on. All different Batch 2 components that have been ordered have been arriving by air over the previous few weeks to make sure we will proceed constructing with bigger shipments by boat arriving by the tip of the month. As for these reworked components, we’ll be transport a portion of stainless components by air to permit us to proceed constructing whereas the powdercoating takes place. When powdercoating is accomplished across the finish of this month, a portion of these will go by air and all remaining components will go by sea. Which means we’ll have a slight delay of powdercoated machines utilizing the brand new components however not a lot.
The excellent news is that the brand new components are simpler to assemble and can scale back majority of our visible high quality management points that took additional time to handle on batch 1. Presently we don’t foresee any important transport delays for Batch 2 machines past what was estimated within the final replace. I’d anticipate remaining Batch 2 machines to exit in February and straight into Batch 3 at the moment.
The Modifications:
I do know I’ve talked about it prior to now however the full checklist of design modifications is as follows:
Entrance Cowl:
Entrance tabs and mating slots made a lot smaller to cut back visible gaps between entrance cowl and prime and backside plates.
Further tabs added to forestall sides of the entrance cowl from flaring out when base plate is torqued.
Piston Linkage:
Linkage holes up to date to permit longer stroke of the piston within the direct configuration just for greater shot volumes. (Constantly noticed 50g yield throughout the native meetup)
Piston Meeting Pins:
Feminine Chicago Screw up to date to be a “D” formed bolt head stopping the necessity for a further 3mm hex key when reconfiguring the meeting.
Grouphead:
Grouphead gasket cutout modified to make eradicating and putting in the Grouphead Gasket barely simpler
PCB Mount:
Mounting holes for the PCB slid over barely to permit extra space for wires to bend instantly popping out of the 18 pin connector
Drip Tray:
New design to sit down straight underneath the grouphead with a extra practical grate, finger gap for elimination of grate, and thicker gauge stainless tray for extra sturdy really feel.
Base Plate:
Drip Tray cutout slid again to heart the drip tray underneath the grouphead
Bigger hex key cutout to permit house for our new Wera model hex keys
Small pockets for rubber ft to sit down in to forestall ft from sliding
Improved Serial Plaque cutout for higher fitment
Hex Key:
Included hex key now upgraded to Wera 3mm cryogenically hardened chrome key
Sadly, not all of those updates can be backwards suitable with Batch 1 machines. We’ll have a package for the brand new Drip Tray to work which can be a disc to sit down within the present base plate cutout and an offset magnet to carry the brand new drip tray in place. The brand new Piston Meeting design will slot in an older fashion machine or simply the linkage itself might be swapped in.
Wera Partnership:
We’ve all the time been HUGE advocates for top of the range, (normally German and US) made instruments together with Wera, Wiha, Knipex, and Tekton. If you happen to look again at all the movies we’ve posted, you’re all the time going to see these manufacturers utilized in our store. Whereas they’re costly, I firmly consider it’s value the fee to have these machines constructed with the very best quality instruments potential.
The obvious cause for this partnership is the included Wera hex keys which can be magnetically held to the underside of the machines. This may guarantee longevity of each the device and screws as customers swap piston configurations or carry out routine upkeep.
We’ve additionally been speaking about placing collectively and promoting a fundamental espresso machine technician’s toolkit together with the particular instruments that we use to construct your machines. We might possible provide 2 kits catering to completely different budgets. The fundamental package will embrace the frequent hex drivers, hex keys, wrenches, and pliers whereas the superior package will embrace a couple of of the extra obscure instruments in addition to the Wera Torque Drivers that we use. Maintain a watch out for these kits within the subsequent month!
For those who have adopted Wera instruments prior to now, you recognize that they’ve been placing out enjoyable introduction calendars for the previous few years. We now have the chance to convey that enjoyable to you! No matter what vacation you rejoice, these calendars make nice presents which let you develop your device assortment with helpful merchandise! We at present have these in inventory and transport instantly.
https://www.odysseyespresso.com/store/wera-advent-calendar-2024
It’s also possible to anticipate some Wera giveaways on our social media together with a couple of of those calendars and a few fundamental hand instruments that can be utilized in your machine!
China Journey:
I’m at present on my strategy to Hong Kong whereas I write this e mail. I’ll be assembly up with William who’s already on the market. We’ll begin the journey with a fast tour of the First rate Espresso manufacturing facility then be travelling throughout the nation for the following 9 days assembly with our greatest suppliers. We aren’t precisely massive prospects for our suppliers so it will assist proceed to construct our relationship with them to make sure we get the very best quality components and repair. Not solely will we have the ability to see how all of our components are being manufactured and inspected earlier than transport out to us, this can be a nice alternative to evaluation how we assemble and use the components in order that our suppliers perceive what’s most vital to us.
These conferences can be nice for collaboration on manufacturing processes. When iterating on the half design, I’m considering via what materials inventory sizes can be found, what instruments can be used for every operation, and what order the operations will happen all to cut back manufacturing time, device put on, and materials waste. The suppliers might need a unique course of in thoughts primarily based on the gear they use. These in particular person conferences will permit us to get on the identical web page to cut back high quality points, enhance lead instances, and produce half value down with full optimization.
Don’t fear, our techs will nonetheless be onerous at work whereas we’re gone. We respect every little thing that they do!
Hiring:
Talking of technician appreciation, I’m nonetheless engaged on getting higher at delegation which has led us to advertise 2 of our techs to administration roles! Kayli is now our Construct Supervisor and Jon is our High quality Management Supervisor. By passing accountability off as we develop, it will be certain that I don’t stay because the bottleneck for our operation. Kayli does a implausible job with organizing construct sheets, monitoring stock, and retaining our store organized. Jon is superb at reviewing builds for each visible and mechanical high quality management points in addition to organizing our QC and Returns information. As we proceed to scale, we plan to move as a lot off to our workforce as potential to develop this enterprise collectively!
Software program:
Throughout our final replace, we rolled out Traditional Mode. This has been a success and made the Argos extra accessible to completely different workflows that see a warmer grouphead. We’ve simply made a small replace to Traditional Mode the place we bumped the decrease boiler restrict as much as 114C which permits for a barely greater pre-infusion stress over extended durations and doesn’t have a big affect on shot temperatures.
Moreover, the most recent firmware model (1.5.0) permits for waking up the Argos from sleep mode by altering the set temp or toggling steam mode, slightly than having to show the Argos on/off.
We’re persevering with to enhance our firmware and software program primarily based on consumer suggestions and have gotten extra assist from Acaia on integrating with their scales so we’re hoping to completely resolve these points within the close to future.
Store Re-organization:
Whereas ready for the delayed components to reach, we took the time to mannequin up some new store layouts! Our small house wasn’t optimized for progress and environment friendly workflow so we laid out a couple of choices and have landed on a brand new association that enables our techs to sit down nearer to the components they work on with extra usable desk house for all of our techs!
With an almost empty store, we’re capable of re-organize all of our cabinets in preparation for the brand new components to reach. As shipments are acquired, we’re taking full stock of the brand new elements and ensuring we organize the cabinets effectively for future workflow. This may assist as we proceed to develop subsequent 12 months.
Movies:
Some time again, we purchased and examined the Filter 3.0 basket which works very nicely on the Argos. It takes a little bit dialing in and getting used to however a video is within the works for doing pour over’s in your Argos! I’ll full the video after I return from China which can embrace Suggestions, Tips, and TDS utilizing Filter 3.0.
With a brand new machine constructed utilizing the pattern components acquired, I’ll movie a facet by facet comparability of the modifications so folks can higher perceive the design iteration course of and the place that has led us.
