Wed May 29 '19 Announcement
almost 7 years ago
– Wed, May 29, 2019 at 09:52:50 AM
Hello awesome Raise backers!
This is Part 2 of the updates for May. If you haven’t read the first part, you can read it here.
A special something for our backers
As we mentioned before, we'll be sending you all a gift included with your Dygma Raise!
We want to show our appreciation for all of your support in our project. So here it is! A transport case for your Raise!
We’ve been trying to hide this for so long, but it’s in so many photos that we couldn’t hide it anymore.
It’s a semi-rigid transport case that has designated slots for your cables, palm pads, Neuron (formerly called the Huble), keycap and switch puller, and the extra test switches.
For those who ordered extra switches and keycaps, you will get that in a separate box.
We hope you guys like it as much as we do! And we hope it can make up for the long built anticipation of getting your keyboard.
After pre-orders are out, we will be selling this case at $50 in addition to the keyboard.
Unboxing the Dygma Raise
One of our backers, Stuart, who is living in Shenzhen visited Manel in the factory and was one of the first people to unbox a pre-production Dygma Raise!
Check out to his unboxing video here!
We are so happy with his reaction and how the DVT samples turned out but there are still a few things that need modification. We want to make sure we test all the samples before starting mass production just in case there are still a few things that we can improve.
Manufacturing Updates
Manel has been in China this whole month working in the factories for the DVT (Design Validation Test). He was making sure that all components met the top-notch quality control standards.
He did find inconsistencies with some components but luckily we already have the solutions. They will be implemented and fixed for mass production (MP).
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- Cable finishing of the white long cables was different from the white short cables. They are supposed to be shiny and not matte because we found out after some tests that the matte gets dirty easily. We’ve already informed the supplier about this and it will be the corrected for MP.
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- Quality of the white ISO ABS keycaps wasn’t the same as the Golden Prototype. The supplier had made a mistake and used poor-quality paint. They will prepare the correct one for mass production.
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- Dimensions of the PCB holes of the LEDs and sockets were too small by 0.05mm. The supplier had made a mistake but it has been corrected. The PCBs are being prepared for MP.
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- Quality of the base was inconsistent. Some of the base’s materials were too different that the underglow was uneven and simply unacceptable. The reason for the inconsistency was the supplier used a different ratio for the polycarbonate formula. We are discussing with the factory that they make sure they get the same formula we used in the last sample that we approved.
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- Glue that is used to stick the joint metal piece to the base wasn’t strong enough in some samples. They used a different glue that was approved in the Golden Prototype. So the suppliers will go back to the glue we used back then.
It’s normal to see mistakes in the DVT. But it's better to spot the issues in this phase rather than in mass production. Our suppliers are already redoing the components and we are working hard getting everything ready.
More importantly, we are making sure that we have the most effective quality control system in our factories so that these mistakes don't happen again. And if they do, we can spot them easily and reject the components that don't meet our standards.
Electronic updates
The main problem we are facing right now is the electronics. We had a difficult time dealing with the PCBA factory during the DVT. The factory didn't have the right quality control measures and it messed up some of our electronics.
It was a frustrating time for us since we are already in the final stage before MP. We expected this to be on point, especially from the suppliers. But it just made us realise that we have to be extra vigilant with them when MP starts.
Because of the issues, we needed to make another set of modifications on the Neuron. Matt, our CTO, was able to fix this after some help from consultants. A new set of PCBs are already being made and will be tested soon.
The plan for mass production (MP)
We are now waiting for Manel and the samples to arrive in Valencia. We are very excited to see them!! We will test the keyboards ourselves and afterwards, we will have other people test them out too.
Once we have everything in order with the electronics and the PCBA factory, and once we have tested the Raise and solved all other issues we encounter (if ever there are any), we can finally launch the MP!
We are very close to finishing, but there are just these last hurdles that we need to overcome. We want to make sure we deliver to all of you the best product possible with no flaws.
Configurator Software
We are finally moving forward with the configurator software! It will be working with the Chrysalis GUI of the Kaleidoscope firmware. It works for Windows, Mac and Linux.
We are working on an alpha version. The goal is for it to be totally functional. Once that's done, we'll rework the aesthetics so it matches the design we showed you months ago.
We have hired a javascript programmer to help us fix bugs and implement our must-have features. Unfortunately, the configurator doesn't work without a keyboard plugged in, so we have been trying to send the new programmer a keyboard for the last 2 weeks and both packages got lost! So we ended up sending it with the most expensive UPS with a hefty amount of insurance. Hopefully the programmer receives it asap.
The most critical missing features are:
- - Making it work with ANSI/ISO layout
- - Improved LED color control
- - Firmware updates
Once we have more info about the software, we will share it with you all!
What else we did in China
We are planning on opening our market to other crowdfunding platforms in other countries. One platform we are looking at is JD Crowdfunding. It is one of the most popular crowdfunding sites in China. We’re hoping that by opening our market there, it can bring more funds for us in order to create more products in the future.
Manel met with a few agencies in Shenzhen and showed them a Dygma Raise sample. They all loved the product! They showed a lot of optimism and this gave us a great deal of encouragement.
We can’t wait for more people to learn about the Raise and start using it in the future. We’re slowly growing worldwide and we just wanted to share this exciting news with you.
Luis’s Honest Review of the Raise
After spending a year using the Raise, our CEO Luis, shares his thoughts about his transition. From using traditional keyboards and laptop keyboards to using the Raise, there were obvious phases of learning and also unexpected pains.
We really hope you enjoyed the video and this update!
Thank you for being part of all our developments. If you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to write them down below!
- Dygma Team
Fri May 10 '19 Announcement
almost 7 years ago
– Fri, May 10, 2019 at 06:13:08 AM
Hey awesome Raise backers!
DVT or DESIGN VALIDATION TEST
Black Dygma Raise
It’s been a month since we launched the DVT. The DVT is really important because this is the trial run of mass production. Everything needs to be working correctly. This goes for manufacturing and the assembly line.
As expected, there were some quality control checks that needed some attention over the past few days, especially with the electronics. And together with last month’s Chinese holidays, consequently, mass production was slightly pushed to June.
Manel, our Product Manager, will be present in China during the assembly of the first 50 samples of the Dygma Raise next week! Hopefully, if everything is perfect, we can launch mass production. Fingers crossed!
We are very near to mass production and now is the time to finalise your orders, settle your payments, and finalise your shipping address.
We will lock all information by May 16.
Since we’re close to shipment and ending pre-orders soon, if you have friends who want to pre-order, tell them now’s the time to do it! ?
COMPUTEX 2019
COMPUTEX is one of the biggest ICT and IoT shows in the world and it will be held in Taiwan on May 28 - June 1. The event will showcase the latest technologies in AI, IoT, 5G, Blockchain, gaming, and XR.
Manel is attending this event and hopefully, we can get more exposure or at least widen our knowledge and network in the world of information technology. He will be filming his trip and the event so expect another cool video from us then! If anyone’s interested in learning about COMPUTEX, you can check it out here: https://www.computextaipei.com.tw
COMPUTEX 2019
We will post another update next week and talk about updates on the configurator software and our exciting plans for the first 50 samples of the Dygma Raise keyboard, so stay tuned!
And don't forget, we are still creating our surprise gift for all of you! Just to show our appreciation for all your support! We will tell you more about this after the DVT.
Thank you everyone!
- Dygma Team
:)
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Thu Apr 18 '19 Announcement
almost 7 years ago
– Thu, Apr 18, 2019 at 07:36:32 AM
Hello everyone! ?
Recap: We launched the DVT (Design Validation Test) a week ago and we have already finished manufacturing most of the components, but there are still a few more that need to be finished.
The Design Validation Test is important because it’s the final test before mass production. Fifty (50) units of Raise keyboards are being made.
What's next?
In the first week of May, Manel, our Product Manager, is going to China to oversee the assembly process of the keyboards. After his final revision, he will sign off the launch of mass production. And then shipment!
Being that’s it’s already mid-April, we might not be able to send all Raise keyboards by the end of May. It will be very tight so we would need to stretch it out for June. We hope you understand. We are nearly there and we will keep you updated all the way!
While we wait for manufacturing to finish, we are also working double-time on the configurator software. We will be doing UX testings next week in order to have a good working version for the DVT units, and of course, a better one for mass production.
We are also working on the next firmware version. By the time we have the samples from the DVT, we will flash it in the keyboards, so we can use it with the configurator.
We hope you continue reading all our updates and stay up to date with all the developments! If there’s any more information you want to know, please tell us in the comments section below!
New Youtube videos
We’ve published a few more Youtube videos since the last update. We hope that you check them out from time to time. We try to post at least one video a week. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do so at youtube.com/dygmalab ??
Behind the EMC Testing
In this video, Matt tells us his story about what happened with the electronics of the Raise. You might remember that we had issues passing the pre-certification. But good ol’ Matt came to save the day (or the weeks that we had had this problem) ?
Behind the EMC Testing
Q&A with Luis
Lately we've been doing video interviews with the Dygma team. We've been telling people to ask us questions via our Instagram stories (@dygmalab). Follow us if you haven’t yet!
Q&A with Luis
Last month we had one Q&A with Manel, our Product Manager. This next one is with our CEO, Luis “Deilor” Sevilla. We hope you enjoy it and if you have any more questions for any of us, just write it down below.
Till the next update! ?
- Dygma Team
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Sat Mar 30 '19 Announcement
about 7 years ago
– Sat, Mar 30, 2019 at 02:12:37 AM
Hello everyone!
We have finally launched the DVT, the Design Validation Test, which means that we have started manufacturing 50 Raise keyboards!
Yey! ?
This will be a trial run of all the components and most importantly, our assembly line.
The DVT will take approximately 1 month. Manel, our Product Manager, is planning to go to China in the next 2 to 3 weeks to oversee the production and ensure the correct quality control standards are being met.
The delay of the launch was mainly due to the pre-certification of the electronics of the Raise. It was a stressful time for us, especially for Matt, our CTO, but luckily he found a solution.
Good job Matt!
A few days ago, we did another pre-test here in Valencia, and we passed!
Finally! It was such a relief for all of us because now we can move forward with the manufacturing schedule, and what we've all been waiting for... shipment!
We're still hoping that by the end of May we can begin shipment. But at this stage, we can't be too sure. The DVT will bring new challenges our way. But we hope we get to handle them in time.
Thank you for all your patience with us! Till the next update!
Love,
Dygma Team
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Fri Mar 15 '19 Announcement
about 7 years ago
– Fri, Mar 15, 2019 at 07:55:04 AM
Are we there yet?
Believe us when we say that we can’t wait for mass production just as much as you guys! It’s been long and arduous but the learnings we’ve had throughout this entire process have been valuable.
Manel working on the Raise
As we approach this final leg (that has been taking weeks), we first want to thank all of you guys who’ve stuck it out with us. Some of you, who have graciously left positive comments giving their moral support, have really helped us keep our heads high to push through. For those who’ve chosen to support us in silence - thank you!
We understand that this project has taken longer than expected, thus the refunds were inevitable. But still, we’re very glad that we got the opportunity to bring about this wonderful community!
And because of all of your patience with us, we decided to give each and every one of you something special along with your Dygma Raise keyboard. We know the wait has been painstaking so we hope this special gift can make up for it.
We won’t divulge any more information, but hope the surprise will be enough ??
So, that’s all for the sappy intro.
Now for the manufacturing updates...
In the last update, we talked about the remaining components that needed to be finalized. Well, most of them are now in the T-off. T-off means that they have been finalized and cleared for mass production.
These components are:
✅ Base
We added ribs to make the structure of the base more resistant and sturdy.
Ribs of the base
To fix the issue we had with the dark spots, we added small holes beside the screws so that the light would diffuse more evenly.
Small holes to help diffuse the in the underglow light
Another thing we adjusted was the housing for the magnets at the back. In order for the sensors in the PCB to work properly and detect the keyboard’s connection, the magnets needed to be at a certain height. So we added a 1.1mm rib as shown in the photo below.
Housing for the magnets
If you want to learn how the sensor works to detect the keyboards’ connection, check Matt’s video here.
Lastly, we’ve done the final touches on the base such as the inscription of Dygma Raise and the date of injection.
Inscriptions on the latest sample of the base
✅ Joint metal covers
Joint metal covers are ready to go!
Joint metal covers
✅ Mylar
We have the final sample of the Mylar (the bottom panel) with our Dygma Raise logo and it looks awesome!
Mylar with artwork
✅ Top Panel
The top panel is already done and ready to go. But there was one aesthetic issue we wanted to test with people, and it had to do with the 0.2mm gap in between the two sides when attached.
0.2mm gap in the middle of the keyboard
When we asked a few people what they thought about it, they said they preferred not to see a gap in between the 2 sides.
So we are thinking of doing this modification and remove the 0.2mm gap for mass production. But overall, the top panel is done!
✅ Metal Pins
✅ Special keycaps
The metal pins and special keycaps are also ready to go!
And these are the last components that we are still working on:
⚠️ Palm Pads
Our supplier is still working on getting the shape of the palm pads correct. There was a bit of an issue with the anti-slip material. In the end, we will use the original anti-slip which is not the sticky one. We are now waiting for the final samples but this isn’t delaying anything and they can be easily produced for mass production.
⚠️ Electronics
This is the component we are struggling with at the moment and is the one causing the delay. We weren’t able to pass the EMI pre-certification for CE. We thought that we already found the solution but it failed once more during Matt’s trip last week.
This a major setback for us. Matt has been working everyday trying to figure out the reason why it keeps failing. This has been hard for a few reasons:
- The way the components are placed on the PCB can have an effect on performance, and this means to make a new test we have design and then wait for a new PCB.
- The test equipment is expensive and requires a big room, so we have to hire the space and wait for availability.
- It’s been difficult to work out exactly where the problem areas are in the limited time we have in the test room.
Matt finally had a breakthrough when he found that the noise that was previously thought to have been from the microchip’s clock was actually a result of the LED driver. We’re now testing filtering the outputs of the LED driver to reduce this noise. A new board design is underway.
Hopefully, we will fix this soon and begin the DVT as planned!
If you have questions or concerns, please let us know in the comments below. As always we are open to hear your feedback.
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Q&A with Manel Senís
Last week, we published a Q&A video with Manel, our Product Manager. We asked the community on Instagram (@dygmalab) if they had any questions for Manel.
These were their questions and Manel’s answers.
If you have any more questions you’d like to ask Manel or anyone in our team, write it down below! We’d be more than happy to make another Q&A video with your questions.
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We hope you guys enjoyed this update! We are hoping that the next one will be about launching the DVT and the start of mass production!
Love,
Dygma Team
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