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Hello everyone,
Good news: Joyful Production of la machine is back!
Manufacturing and shipping resumed a week ago, at a pace of around 130 machines per day. We're at roughly 25% delivered and NanoGiga (our small French factory in Villemandeur) is doing everything possible to catch up.
Before going any further, a warm welcome to those of you who've just joined the adventure! If you have a little time, you can start with this newsletter. It dates back almost two years and tells the story of how the project began.
What happened
Despite the successive fixes we'd put in place over recent weeks, we kept receiving a few machines whose motor had come loose in transit. Many owners were able to repair their machine on their own, but since La machine was never meant to be a self-assembly kit, this situation simply wasn't acceptable.
We had to wait for all the faulty machines to come back before we could analyse the problem, which delayed (sorry!) any reliable diagnosis.
I initially suspected brief power interruptions during transport, which could have pulled the machine out of "travel" mode. An unexpected restart of this kind, triggering the arm while the machine is sealed inside its box, could have been responsible for the motor coming loose. Paul therefore strengthened the software to rule out this scenario, and our Beta Testers validated the fix.
On my end, I confirmed this in a slightly more… radical way: I hurled the machine (still in its packaging!) across my workshop with all my strength about fifty times, trying to simulate the joys of shipping. The machine didn't wake up BUT the motor came loose after about ten throws.
Verdict: the machine had neither power interruptions nor process issues. The original motor fixing simply wasn't designed to withstand the most violent impacts a parcel can endure in transit.
The very next day I went to NanoGiga to reinforce it: two points of hot-melt adhesive (reversible, to preserve repairability) and an additional washer. Jean-François also revised a plastic part in the process.
To wrap things up, I shipped about fifty machines to myself, to various pickup points across Paris. The result: no breakages!
So here we are, back to Joyful Production!
Regarding the United States
The two pallets ready to ship had been produced before the modification. Rather than take the slightest risk during transport, we're applying the reinforcement to each machine (about 6 minutes per unit) before shipping. This pushes back US deliveries a little, but the machines will arrive in perfect condition. I should also mention, with genuine regret, that I can't offer any preferential treatment (for birthdays or other important dates) since the shipment goes out as a single grouped delivery, though I can send a personalised video if that helps!
If you've ordered a machine
You'll receive an email tonight or tomorrow with an updated shipping date.
Thank you to everyone who's weathered the early bumps with such kindness, and my apologies to those still waiting for their machine.
They're on their way!
See you very soon,
Olivier