MxSS - Polycarb 65% Kit for MX/SMK [Kinda close to finishing again?!]

Update here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=94986.msg2824131#msg2824131

Hey boys and girls, it's time to get the ball rolling!

Orders: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18IOumQD9hxTbKlupQTYU7bqaifdyhNX8CI56jXH__sk/edit#gid=0

I am opening the GB early, before receiving PCB prototypes since it seems that we will need to count down the Paypal 21 day timer to be able to place the order, I apologise in advance for the 3wk delay. We will use money out of our own pockets to fund all other purchases, but case/plate manufacture will be delayed until funds are released.

Photos of the second prototype:






My attempt at trying to show off RGB: https://streamable.com/keyp2

Information:

Case: Frosted Polycarbonate, CNC milled
Plate: Brass, mirror-finished and electroplated
Weight: Same as plate
PCB: Custom designed for the MxSS by kawasaki161, White solder mask and ENIG finish

Details:
- 2.9 degrees angle on the case
- Top mount plate
- Center USB, Type-B Mini
- MX and SMK (White and Orange) switch support
- Holtite support
- No in-switch LEDs, yes to RGB underglow
- 1.5kg with plate and weight




Black nickel-plated steel plate/weights will be lasercut from Stainless Steel grade 304, with an appearance similar to this: https://imgur.com/a/xdfXh
The reflectiveness will be better than the images shown (factory pics are never great lol). It is important to note that these will not be prototyped, but we will work with the factory to ensure they are functional. I can not guarantee the appearance.

Polycarb plate will be CNC'd and sandblasted, and again, will not be prototyped. I have tested with an acrylic plate in its place, and it has a fairly significant amount of flex in some areas. I can not guarantee the appearance or performance of this plate. Here's a pic of the acrylic plate without the protective film removed, visually similar to what I wish to get the finish to be:



Group Buy Information:

- FCFS
- MOQ 20, Cap 25 (25/25 slots taken)
- Up to 2 extras may be available after the GB

Price (excluding fees + shipping):

- Base Kit (Case, Plate, Weight, PCB, GMK Stabilisers) - $350USD
- Extra Plate - $60USD
- Extra PCB - $55USD
- Black Nickel-plated Steel Plate/Weight (Extra) - $130USD
- Polycarb Plate (Extra) - $60USD

Shipping:

I'll be shipping through most likely DHL, I need to contact my shipping provider to confirm which courier they use. Shipping times are variable, here are some estimated costs and times:

- Australia, 0-6 days - $20AUD-$35AUD
- United States, 2-3 days - $70USD
- United Kingdom, 2-3 days - $75USD
- Europe - 2-3 days, $75USD
- Asia - 2-3 days, $65USD

It is really unfortunate that shipping is this expensive, but do note this is calculated conservatively. This is fully insured courier post at least, so we can rest assured that things are transported properly. While cheaper options are available, they are not worth the reduction in service.

UPDATE: After talks with my courier, we should be able to provide better prices, pending actually giving my courier correct quantities and destinations. The listed prices are the upper limit, and in the case of the United States at least, the price will most likely go down, think closer to 50USD for the US.

Deadline & Lead Times:

So our situation is that we will have to probably wait 3wks for PayPal to payout so I can pay my factory.

Current ETA: 2mnths2.5mnths3mnths4mnths ETA unknown
ETA will be updated once production resumes.

As for payment, I will set a deadline of 1wk for payment.
All orders are final, I will not transfer paid slots as any refunds I do through PayPal will cause the funds to be held for an unknown period of time. See this: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=92418.msg2552202#msg2552202

If you do not want a slot, please don't pay for it!

Updates:

03/04/18 - GB Opened
07/04/18 - GB Closed, Invoices out
11/04/18 - Put order in with the factory (cases/plates/weights), lead time 3-4wks
13/04/18 - Put order in with PCB factory and box factory, lead time 3-4wks
19/04/18 - Brass parts have almost finished the CNC stage
27/04/18 - Most parts nearly finished machining stage, will go into finishing stage/ manual labour after the factory take a break next week (Labor Day)
08/05/18 - Parts finished machining, PCBs getting redone, Brass parts paused post polishing until finishes are finalised
12/05/18 - Steel plates being polished, requested gold plating sample
19/05/18 - Gold plating and electrophoretic coated samples done, being shipped to me for checking
23/05/18 - Received samples, electrophoretic coating to replace UV coating, electroplating flawed on one side
28/05/18 - New PCB prototypes arrived, tested working, PCB production to finish shortly.
29/05/18 - Brass parts resumed production.
31/05/18 - Black Steel parts resumed production.
19/06/18 - First shipment arrived, one lot of cases and black nickel steel parts
25/06/18 - PCBs arrived, need to be reflashed with a bootloader
26/06/18 - Rest of parts arrived, initial QC inspection fails many, see post for explanation: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=94986.msg2629255#msg2629255
10/07/18 - Firmware completed, discussing how to remake parts
26/07/18 - Brass parts sent back for rework, PCBs still being tested
05/08/18 - https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=94986.msg2646217#msg2646217
28/08/18 - https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=94986.msg2653540#msg2653540
??/??/1? - Yea look, I gave up updating this bit a while ago, check from page 3/4 for a chronology of my sadness.

11/04/18 - Paypal somehow did not freeze my money, so I've put in the order as it stands. Since it appears that at least 1 person has dropped out, possibly 2, I will advertise the positions in the GB as open slots once I can confirm it. I'm going to leave the deadline at 2mnths to give us ample time to get things done. Factory should start production mid next week, once the sample I sent get to them.

13/04/18 - Got some final numbers from both my PCB and box manufacturer, and have put in the orders for both. Added in lead times for everything so people have an idea of what we're waiting for.

08/05/18 - Cases, plates and weights have finished being machined, and are being hand finished before going on to the next stage of finishing. PCBs were awaiting components for assembly, but we discovered a flaw in the PCBs, namely that the stabiliser holes for the bottom row were in the wrong direction, so I promptly paid for another batch to be produced with the issue corrected, I am awaiting a sample of it before proceeding on that front. Brass parts are having their finish changed on account of the factory being unable to do gold electroplating, UV coating and silver electroplating being offered up.

26/06/18 - https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=94986.msg2629255#msg2629255 TL;DR: Cases half alright, electrophoretic coating ended up worse than expected, factory will fix things, just need a new finish (or compromise on an old one) for brass parts.

...

Some time July 2020 - All GB units delivered

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See attached files for the plate and weight.