PCB Assembly of Vision-System Lighting
Greetings Everyone, Due to some time constraints, I couldn't progress much further with the circuit-board assembly during this period, but I wanted to let you know that PCB assembly for the vision-system lighting will begin very soon. Read the full update.
Vacuum Hose Couplers Completed
Hello everyone, The manufacturing of the vacuum hose connector couplers is now complete. Read the full update.
Fabrication and Assembly Progress
Hello again everybody, Apologies for moving the update schedule again, but I had some technical issues with my 3D printer that delayed me further. This time I wanted to inform you that I finished fabricating the Y axis belt clips (including an extra replacement part) that will allow the timing belts to be fastened to their corresponding mounting points. Read the full update.
Feeder Trays Completed
Hello Everyone, I'd like to inform you that I finally completed the fabrication of the campaign backed cut tape feeder trays. In the following days, the .step 3D models for the four different tray designs will be made available on the project's GitHub repository. Read the full update.
Assembly Progress and New Delivery Date
First, I want to offer my apologies for keeping everybody waiting several months without news. I did make more progress. The vacuum heads, aluminum motor, and idler pulley mounts are now assembled. As expected, I'll have to change the delivery date yet again to February 2022. Read the full update.
Pushing Our Estimated Ship Date Back to Late September
Disappointingly, I have to inform you that our previous estimated delivery date will not be met, so I'll be changing it to September 20th, 2021. Fortunately my time availability is much better now. I'm confident I'll be able to catch up on all pending tasks while also publishing more frequent campaign updates. Read the full update.
Light Diffusers Complete; Plastic Trays Almost Done
Progress has been slow the for last few months, but I'm working my way toward the finished machine kits. The laser-cut light diffusers for the cameras are now complete, and the plastic trays are almost complete as well. I'll post another update when the parts are finished. Read the full update.
Manufacturing Delays
First I'd like to apologize for my lack of communication over the past few month—and for missing my estimated ship date. For a number of reasons, I was unable to make as much progress as I'd hoped on SimplePnP. I was able to assemble and test the PCBs, however, and the good news is that they're working perfectly. Unfortunately, I have to push my estimated ship date back to May 25th. Read the full update.
Back at It!
After a successful surgery, I have resumed working on SimplePnP. Thank you so much for your patience! Unfortunately, due to the time I've lost over the past couple months, I've had to push our estimated ship date back to January 25th. Stay tuned for more updates! Read the full update.
We've Completed the Fabrication of Custom Parts but Are Currently Experiencing Delays
I hope everyone is doing well. It's been a pair of months without word from me, so please accept my apologies. For various reasons, including some health related issues, I've been unable to dedicate the proper amount of time to the project over the past few weeks. I managed to finish fabricating the custom parts, so only the mechanical assembly is pending, along with PCB assembly and some more machining of strip-feeder trays. After that, your machines will be ready to go. Read the full update.
Production Progress, CAD Files, and Delays
We are nearing done fabricating the first batch of custom aluminum parts and have published our step CAD files on GitHub. Due to manufacturing delays, we are pushing back our estimated ship date to October 15th. Read the full update.
Manufacturing Custom Aluminum Parts
This update includes a progress report on the manufacturing of custom aluminim parts for SimplePnP, including our new design for the mounting brackets. Read the full update.
Vacuum Head Production Has Begun
We are currently milling aluminum head plates for our vacuum heads, and will soon produce a video documenting that process. We are also working on a guide that will walk you through the setup and operation of SimplePnP. Read the full update.
Progress & Delays
We've fitted nozzles, simplified our design to better accommodate the brackets and mounting points, and received a number of electromechanical parts, including the motors. Unfortunately, due to supply chain delays for other parts, we have had to push our estimated ship date back to July. Read the full update.
Parts Arriving & Vision Camera Tested
Spring has begun, and our first packages are starting to arrive. An assortment of nozzles, nozzle holders, PCBs, USB cameras, and some other miscellaneous items were delivered a few days ago. Stepper motors and linear rails are on their way, and all vision cameras have been tested. Read the full update.
Manufacturing Progress!
Our PCB house resumed its fabrication work this week. The solder paste stencils have not yet been manufactured, but we expect them to enter production shortly. Our other vendors are also getting back to work, and parts should be shipping soon. We are looking forward to picking up the pace in March and getting started on the work of assembling the machines themselves. Read the full update.
Pre-Orders Expected to Ship Earlier Than Anticipated
Focusing on the Dual Head SimplePnP with Bottom Vision, deciding to go with mechanical limit switches rather than sensorless homing, waiting out shipping delays from China, and moving our pre-order ship date forward Read the full update.
Moving forward on fabrication as our campaign comes to a close
We've received the plastic plate stock and aluminum flat bar we ordered. We began machining strip-feeders from the former, for testing toolpaths and SMD tape fit. In a few days, we'll begin fabricating pick-and-place parts from the latter. Our campaign is coming to a close, so we also want to let you all know that pre-order prices may increase and not all models will be available after tomorrow. And finally, we just want to say thanks! We couldn't have done this without your support. Read the full update.
Design Progress
We've added new PCB files to our GitHub repository, placed an order for nozzle holders, and designed a new pump configuration. Read the full update.
Sourcing & Tooling
We have verified the method by which we will machine strip-feeder trays and obtained the necessary tooling, as well as cameras, motors, short rails, and nozzles. We're shopping for strip-feeder plastic stock in various colors and looking forward to building your SimplePnP! Read the full update.
New nozzle option for all models
You can now get a pair of each nozzle – sizes 503 to 508 – with your SimplePnP. Read the full update.
More Q&A and Procuring Off-the-Shelf Parts
In this update, we answer a few more questions and offer a quick progress report on the initial phase of our manufacturing plan. Read the full update.
Questions, Answers, and Nozzle Holders
Meet the Betz Technik Industries Juki nozzle holder. Stick around for a short list of questions & answers. Read the full update.
Crowdfunding Begins!
For your personal open hardware PCB assembly machine. Come check out SimplePnP! Read the full update.