STATUS UPDATES (in chronological order, latest at the bottom):Quality check on the boards
-checked at the factory
-placed in the foam insert in the custom "Mira" box
-placed in bubble wrapped bag
-placed in another box and taped shut
-the prototypes were then wrapped in foam and placed in another box for shipping
UPDATE - Due to custom's issues on releasing the PCB's shipped from Korea to China for the Chinese group buy and since we will be utilizing the same PCB's I have to add $2 extra to the PCB cost to cover the custom's fee for our PCB's.I apologize and if there are any additional charges with shipment of our PCB's to China I will take responsibility for those charges.
UPDATE: Last prototype is currently being made as a winkey. LOGO on top has been tweaked and the inside of the case has been changed to make the Mira more compatible with winkeyless's A87 PCB. Once the prototype has been checked production will begin.
UPDATE: April 22 - still working on the last prototype. Two have been made since my last update. The issue is rhe winkeyless PCB support. The A87 PCB is wider than any other PCB and if careful attention on the size of it and the design it is hard to step back and incorparate it. I was also not content with the design of the TX87 - my personal issue - not someone else's. The first prototype in this final stage had two thin walls. The next one was felt to be too wide by EVE and I agreed with him - the widened sides, the subtle change th the side curves, the effect on the USB hole so cables could reach the connector to fit all rhe PCB's - so support for winkeyless's PCB has been dropped. I apologize to the ones that wanted to use it but I can't do it and get the keyboard done. EVE is very good at production and the release should not be delayed much if at all.
UPDATE: May 9 - First let me say when I started working on the Mira I knew nothing about CAD. I'm SLIGHTLY more knowledgeable now.As some of you are aware the Mira was originally designed to utilize a winkeyless PCB.
Hubble's original design was for a WKL version that had too long of blockers and there were other aspects of the design that made it impractacal to produce.
Since I had the CAD files I found others to help revise the design. Due to my lack of knowledge about CAD and not knowing the exact measurements of the variety of PCB's - I was unaware when the dimensions
of the Mira were changed as we were redesigning it and this prevented the A87 form fitting the case.I tried to change the design so the A87, TX87, NERD, B-fake - would fit.I could do it but the increase
required caused the bezel to be widened. EVE, the one manufacturing the Mira,didn't care for the wide body design and I agreed so we've returned to the the prototype everyone's seen and made slight
adjustment to the inner dimensions to improve the TX87 fit. The NERD, B-fake, and Leeku's alps PCB's will also fit.
The logo has been tweaked to decrease the "O'Mira" confusion.
The changes have all taken time and delayed production somewhat. Leeku has been paid for all the PCB's and they have been produced. I will do my best to get photographs when the production begins.
As for my lack of communication there have been several reasons but instead of making excuses I will simply say I understand why GB organizers don't communicate well - if you have nothing to say
you had rather say nothing at all. My head is still sore from me beating my head against the wall in frustration with some of the issues ofrunning a group buy.
I'll try to be better on giving updates.
Update: May 30 - sorry about the lack of communication - my PC seems to want to stay in pieces. If anyone lives in or around Cincinnati and has time to help me resuscitate the POS PM me!
Now for the real reason I'm posting - production is expected to begin Thursday - I want to verify with EVE before I mention shipping. The tweaking of the prototype took too long - that's on me. All I can do is apologize and tell you was to try to give you everything I promised.
Update: June 7 - Rui and I reviewed the CAD files with EVE last week and any questions EVE had about the Mira SE have been answered to the best of my knowledge. Production should have begun but I was unable to get a clear ship date. given the conclusion of the Chinese GB for the Moon, the GH GB for the Mira SE, and the GH GB for the Moon it is unclear when production will be finished. I will let everyone know as soon as I get more information.
To stop the rumbling - I have plate files already for alps and have made arrangement with Leeku for the alps PCB's.
- I plan to have a GB for partial plates, brass plates, poly-carbonate plates for the Mira.
- I will not release plate CAD files for plates at this time.
- I will not start an interest check for either of these until I'm satisfied about the progress of the Mira's production and have arranged/have an idea of the cost of the plates.
Update: June 21 - I've been trying to post weekly and I see I blew it this time.
In reference to updates and timelines - I can only ask EVE and zzyjayfree the questions - if they don't answer me I can't walk next door or drive for 30 minutes to ask them face to face. zzyjayfree lives in Canada, EVE in China - if I don't have information I cannot relay it to you.
As it stands - I've paid Leeku for all the PCB's, they have been made, and he is waiting to be told where to ship them.
I will probably ship those to the US buyers myself. The last ones that were sent to China cost $9+ a piece with shipping and custom fees. I will ship them to everyone and you will have two shipping fees. The one from me will be the cost - the $2 paid for customs fees - that way you know I haven't forgotten the extra $2.
Production - interesting that he machines the weights and plates first, then the cases. The cases are produced last because he anodizes them immediately to reduce corrosion.
As for time - realize EVE has 125 cases to machine. I don't know how long it takes to machine the cases but I do know the anodizing has multiple steps in the process. When I get an idea of when the boards will be shipped and will let you know. Update: July 1 - as mentioned previously, production is in progress and as Photoelectric previously said this week packing and shipping is expected to start in early August. I've requested photos and when available I will post them. https://imgur.com/a/br9oSUpdate: July 8 - production is moving along. EVE is working on it and I'm going to start working on getting PCB's shipped to me and then to you. To whet your appetite EVE and zzyjayfree have supplied a few more pictures.
http://imgur.com/a/qjiV2Update: July 18 - most CNC work completed. Anodizing starting up, no pictures yet. Zzyjayfree is on vacation and none available from EVE
UPDATE: July 31 - Sorry about the delay, I was waiting on pictures. EVE is about to start anodizing and is waiting on the PCB's from Leeku. Boards have been made long ago, just waiting for them to arrive at Eve's shop. Without further ado - PICTURES
http://imgur.com/a/FvLfgUPDATE: August 16 - still waiting on more pictures from EVE. I understand the anxiety and frustration on waiting- I'm feeling it too. I've been working on this for over two years, starting with CAD files that had issues to CAD designers with their own agendas. As my updates state on April 22 and May 9 state my attempt to redesign the Mira to fit the winkeyless PCB created a delay in production that we haven't recovered from. I'm reiterating that again so there is no confusion on that. We've almost crossed the finish line now so hang in there for a little longer. All 157 TX87 PCB's have been paid for, manufactured, and shipped to EVE. This is a change from what I said before but it will work better for all of you. 80% of the cost of manufacturing the Mira SE, anodizing it, and the boxes for it has been paid with the remaining 20% to be paid when all is completed and ready to ship. If anyone was wondering where the money is or where it is going, now you know.
Several have asked for plates/spacers to take place of the diffusers. I've asked Eve if that is a possibility.
Assembly - that can be arranged from the same group that is providing it for the Moon. I'm out of town right now and haven't read the thread yet but keep it in mind.
Update: September 8 - anodizing is ongoing
A big thanks to zzyjayfree for obtaining the photos!
https://imgur.com/a/tcFd9And all PCB's have been shipped to EVE.
Progress - I'm starting to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel
Update: December 29, 2017:
Kits are shipping! Expect an invoice from zzyjayfree for shipping cost, if you have not yet received one. Please see this post by zzyjayfree regarding tracking information:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=87310.msg2541036#msg2541036Update: January 2, 2018
Any issues with received kits please PM all 3 of us - zzyjayfree, Photoelectric, ninjadocUPDATE: January 8, 2018Information about shipping status update labels on the order verification spreadsheet:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=87310.msg2545185#msg2545185PLEASE CONTACT ZZYJAYFREE, PHOTOELECTRIC, AND NINJADOC if you receive WRONG SIZE SPACEBAR STABILIZER WIRE! THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH STABILIZER PACKS NOT BEING DISTRIBUTED CORRECTLY. Regardless of the number on the stabilizer bag, if the size matches what you requested--great, use it! If not, please let us know ASAP! Replacement wires will be shipped after all the numbered kits have been delivered, and we've tallied the wires needed for replacements. In the meantime, if you'd like to trade stabilizer wires with other group buy participants, that could get you a correct size more quickly.UPDATE: May 8, 2018
Samples of plates should arrive tomorrow. If they look OK I will start the GB, hopefully by the end of the week. Brass price is prohibitive but I will offer them. Plates will be produced in the United States, will be unfinished and not anodized but I may buff them to improve appearance.UPDATE: May 13, 2018Plate samples done. Poly-carbonate and aluminum are OK. I think I choose the wrong stainless and there is an error on the alps plate. I will change the stainless and get the spacer done and see how it looks.
