Prototype units

The cases

So what about the Play-Doh?

The keymats

LCD-Cables



Other Stuff

I'm dead tired right now, so forgive me if I write some wrong words in the post.But I wanted to get the latest updates out to you tonight.As you know, prototype units have been built and I also finally started to ship them to some devs.notaz, ptitSeb and aTc either have already received one or will receive them within the next two days.Some more devs will get one, but I haven't decided who yet and which unit.And I'll also contact the Pyra preorderers. While these units are not yet perfect (case, older keymat, etc.), they are basically working and this might be enough for some of the preorderers, especially if they want to help with bug hunting or even bug fixing. I'll let every preorderer decide whether he wants to wait for the final keymat, etc.I hope to find the time to contact them this week.ptitSeb will also be at the Libre Software Meeting from July 01-07 Saint-Etienne (France) with the prototype, together with fantomid and Linux-SWAT (only on Sunday), so if you'd like to meet some of the community members AND see a prototype, feel free to go there!If you followed the news, you know that the cases are now physically correct except for one or two minimum tweaks.That means we're now planning the production of the first mass production run.As usual, Greece companies close down in August (it's too hot to work), so the mass production run is currently being planned to happen mid till end of July.I'll be there to make sure the quality is fine and everything fits.We still have to wait for the keymats, but these should be ready in July / August as well.There are still a lot of other parameters, so don't expect that the mass production and delivery will happen right after the cases are there - but we're getting closer!In July, 500 cases will be produced.Why only 500?Well, when mass production starts, we most certainly won't be able to produce more than 500 per month.The first produced units always take longer. You need to optimize the full process before you can start in full speed.So the rest of the cases will be produced in time for the next 500 unitsAnd in case we find any improvements / fixes during assembly of the first 100 units, we can let Form Action know so that the next batch of cases will have those already included.Well, there were a few measurements I had to make.First, the space between the case and the backside of the Display board. We need some padding here, so that the LCD sits firmly inside the case but won't break as easy when you push hard against it.But how can you find out how much space there is, as it's inside the case?Easy: With Play-Doh. Just put a bit Play-Doh inside, close the case and measure the thickness of the Play-Doh afterwards.That's it!I also used the same way to determine the thickness of the small aluminium plate that will go between the PCB and the backside, helping to keep the heat away from the battery.And yes that misusing Play-Doh-trick is being done by other designers as well, it's not something I made up!New samples haven't arrived yet, but probably will within the next 1 - 2 weeks.Once they're confirmed... it's time for mass production as well.Mass production has started, so they should be with us sometimes in July / August.I made a new contract with FedEx which means I can now ship items with battery for a WAY cheaper price than with UPS.About 30 EUR to US, delivery within 3 - 4 days. That means it'll probably be cheaper if I ship it directly to you.Link will still stock Pyras once they're out in regular productionI hope I didn't forget anything and didn't post too many weird things.I'm off to bed now and will see you soon