9/7 Update Since 1 week ago when we got the production PCB order in, we have been shipping orders as fast as possible!
We are trying to have all kits shipped within the next week and a half or so. This hopefully also includes sending the orders to our proxies Candykeys and Dailyclack.
Regarding extras, we don't have any numbers or prices/sale format yet. Stay tuned!
8/7 Update The order for the production PCBs is in! The stated delivery date to us is the end of August. Therefore we plan to have all orders shipped within the first couple weeks of September!
Two important notes:
1. The cutoff date for address changes will be August 27.
If you need to change your delivery address, please email us with your Order number(s) as the subject line.
2. If you got your Saturn already and are waiting for the PCB:
There is an item on our site called Titan-60 PCB Shipping ONLY
At checkout, put your original order number and in the notes to get your PCB(s) shipped. It is currently out of stock, we will ping everyone when the PCBs are available and can be shipped individually.
7/19 Update We ordered 5 final prototype PCBs from our production supplier on 6/23, just to be 100% sure all issues were fixed. These 5 were supposed to be a rush order, but still took a pretty long time... Today 7/20 they just let us know they are ready and will ship them to us. Once they are finally here and approved, we can go ahead with the entire production run and ship all the GB orders. The GB orders all all packed up and ready to ship minus the Titan-60s. The light is at the end of the tunnel!
6/19 Update Hello All,
I wanted to thank you again for your patience with this group buy. Unfortunately we are still experiencing unprecedented delays with regards to getting the PCB finalized and produced. The prototypes of the design which we believed would fix all the outstanding issues with LEDs were lost by DHL this past week. A replacement order for those protos has already been placed. In the meantime we are continuing to pack up orders sans PCB, in preparation for their eventual arrival. If you are in North America and would like your kit ASAP without the PCB, and will pay to have it shipped separately later, email support@acekeyboard.co with your order number(s).
As far as updating the timing: The Proto PCBs should arrive from JLC around 10 days from now ~6/28-6/30. I will test and confirm this revision fixes all previous design issues, and kickoff the production with our intended supplier. They have quoted the leadtime as 5 weeks.
Again we are so sorry for all these delays. Thank you so much for bearing with us. We are proud of the final product and can't wait to get it into your hands.
4/30 Update About 20% of orders have been packed [minus PCBs] so far and we will continue to pack despite not having the PCBs.
The reason the PCBs are not finished is because the 5 production samples we received on 4/28 had two known issues:
The PCB-mount switch holes were a loose fit for all the switches I tested.
There are 8 spots on the PCB where the thru-hole LEDs were not operational.
Regarding the 2nd point; this is due to some of the grounds being not tied together inside the PCB. There is a workaround, but it's not ideal. The grounds on the non-working spots have to be connected to working grounds using wire.
People who ordered kits without the PCB, or are willing to get theirs shipped later for the cost of shipping will start receiving their orders!
We will get the fixes rolling and order new prototypes from a quick-turn house to see if it solves these problems.
3/29: QC Update #2About 25% of all the powdercoated parts are currently back with the manufacturer. For some of the case parts (generally mint gloss), this is their third time being redone due to defects. +3 weeks from now ETA for them to be back with us.
PCBs are in production! ETA 4 weeks.
Plan is to start shipping kits as soon as the beginning of May ... so we missed the original GB target of Q1-2021 but trying to stay on track as closely as possible. As a first GB we just want everyone's experience to be as perfect.
Thank you all for your patience!
1/31: QC Update - Possible delay due to Top Case Powdercoat
A couple of days ago we received the full shipment of Saturn cases and plates from our manufacturer.
The good news:
-The case parts are fitting better than ever.
Picture-The powdercoat colors themselves look great.
Picture-The switchplate finishes are better than they were in proto pictures.
Pictures-All parts except PCBs have been received - new Rev (1.3) is being tested now.
PicturesThe bad news is that the Top Case halves were all finished incorrectly. They were hung up to be powdercoated using the corners of the cutout for the switches - a very visible area to have bare steel.
Picture Our QC standard was shared with the manufacturing company and they confirmed it was not followed, and will take responsibility for fixing the parts to ensure the product is correct.
Due to this unforeseen circumstance, we can no longer ensure that the Saturn-60 orders will be fulfilled within Q1, however, the timeline should only be later by a few weeks if at all. Please be rest assured that as soon as all parts arrive, are inspected, and approved, orders will ship out as soon as possible. We will continue to remain completely transparent with you and ensure that the product you've been waiting for meets not only our standards, but yours too.
12/23 Production still ongoing, still on track for Q1 fulfillment.
The bottom halves have all been bent, and are off to be powdercoated (except a few raw steel ones).
Badges are being produced and should be arriving soon; picture below is just a sample, but final badges will have data in all fields.
Titan60 PCB will need another revision --> 1.3. There was an issue with the way the thru-hole LEDs were grounded.
11/25 Production underway. Still on track for Q1 2021 fulfillment
PLATE/CASE:Production initiated as of 11/11. Here are some pictures of the last round of samples:
Album Links:[
https://imgur.com/a/dBzeWWk] [
https://imgur.com/a/WmiWLmO]
The Sheetmetal manu is more than halfway done with the blanks - which are laser cut [
]
The remaining parts to laser are the stainless and aluminum switchplates.
PCB:MechMerlin did the QMK and VIA port on stream [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZTG3hnHL74] some weeks ago, and unfortunately bugs were discovered both with the PCB and with VIA. The PCB has been revised, and new protos (Rev1.2) are being manufactured currently. From what I understand, the issue with VIA is that the drop downs don't support more than 3 "groups" for Row 4. So right now the arrow cluster layout is not selectable. QMK does not have this problem.
10/25. After 10 days we have sold well over 400 units and will close the GB. We most likely will still manufacture close to 500 and sell as in-stock extras when the GB fulfills in Q1.
The vendors will tally up and I'll start placing orders for parts within the supply chain. More updates later this coming week when production samples arrive of cases.
Updates:
10/19/2020: 300/300 sold in the acekeyboard.co store. THANK YOU everyone who joined! A waitlist may be established for those that were not able to get one and would like to be notified if extras are available. Discussing with Dailyclack and Candykeys about whether or not to keep the GB open for them for a month or to close orders in a week and fully start on production.
