BackerKit Surveys! Phone Mount added! And More Bolts!
over 9 years ago – Tue, Feb 21, 2017 at 11:38:31 PM

We just hit send on our BackerKit surveys!  We will start shipping as parts come out of production and are assembled.  We decided to include a set of 35mm bolts with each mount (in addition to the two 40mm bolts) so we cover almost every scenario of stem bolt configuration.  This should be a welcome addition making the fits perfect for each of your set-ups.  Also, we have worked through our design and tooling preparation and have added the phone mount to surveys (it will ship separately).   We really can't wait for everyone to get the mounts - we have worked very hard to make a well engineered, beautiful product that we know you will really like.  We will continue our updates as we move forward, pack, ship, etc.  Thank you all for the support of FormMount.

Production started yesterday!
over 9 years ago – Thu, Feb 16, 2017 at 10:22:10 PM

Hi Backers,

Short update for backers that just want the basics....We approved all our first tooled part tweaks yesterday morning and are officially running production. The first batch of production parts came home with me yesterday evening and we are scheduled to pick up another large batch of parts late Friday afternoon. It's going to be a busy weekend and next couple of weeks filled with assembling and packaging. Shipping updates will be posted separately, soon. I thought I would squeeze that in there because this is the short portion of the update that gets right to the point, and I'm sure some of you are wondering about it. I personally jumped the gun as to when the surveys would be going out, so sorry for that.

Another reason for posting shipping/fulfillment progress updates separately is we understand that the majority of backers would just like to know when they're going to get their stuff. And that if there are any concerns or questions to be asked, there will be someone here to answer as quickly as possible.

So....I will be focusing on these longer winded, technically detailed updates. The kind that makes most peoples eyes just glaze over while they are trying to mentally escape to a happy place. It's my thing, and I know they're a few of you out there that kinda like it too.

Sadly, and at the same time, VERY not so sadly, there really isn't much more for me to report on the engineering/ tooling side of the project, since we are in the production phase. So as of now it's pretty much just taking delivery of parts, assembling, packaging, and soon to be shipping, etc...

And now....The longer update, for technically geeky backers seeking technically geeky details... Others are welcome to read too...

First batch of approved production parts

We inspected about 50 samples of each part Wednesday morning, and are confident in the fit, finishes and consistency of the processing. We were really happy with the tweaks,so approval was given to start production.

Tweaks that were approved

In the following pictures you can see the cradle assembly and it's 4 part "Sandwich" The bottom cradle part is 40% Carbon Fiber filled nylon, the glossy mid part and upper "TCMI" parts  are made of Delrin "Nylon". "The right materials in the right places"as Tim likes to say. The challenge here is that these differently engineered materials are right next to each other and highly visible.

Nylon is inherently shiny and Carbon Fiber is not. This is where the "Form Follows Function" approach to design works in our favor. Our "Function"  is a  4 piece sandwich of parts that make up the Cradle assembly, 3 of which are visible from the outside. "Function" also calls for the Cradle Bottom to be made out of Carbon Fiber Filled Nylon, same as the arms, to maximize stiffness. The 3 Nylon parts above, are created in a family mold, meaning all those parts are molded together out of the same material. Nylon was chosen for it's durability and toughness as well as it's low friction characteristics, which helps with the action of the docking interfaces.

The "Form" aspect comes in the way of using the visible surface of the middle part (Cradle Top) as a texture break, to help the cosmetic transition between parts made of different materials. It's not possible to perfectly match the colors and surface textures of these two different materials, but by using the "Top cap" part as a texture break (High Gloss middle part), AND adding a bit heavier texture to the TCMI we can come very close.

Picture below shows Garmin insert installed into the TCMI. The Wahoo/Garmin inserts were also parts of our first tooled tweaks, as we wanted a very secure dock to the computers. We also wanted to dial in the tactile feedback of the docking operation,a nice audible click and firm feel to the detent. We're not breaking any new ground here, but our goal was to be as good, preferably better, to whats already out there...The tweaks achieved this goal.

The picture below shows the first tooled TCMI on upper right, and the higher textured version of the approved for production TCMI on the lower left. This helps to cosmetically match TCMI and Cradle Bottom.

Up Next

I'm still working on getting a very short video of the molding process posted, so anyone interested can have a look. Also in the works are some pictures of fully assembled production units, which I should be posting soon.

Thanks F.P.

BackerKit Surveys
over 9 years ago – Wed, Feb 15, 2017 at 03:35:50 PM

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the survey has been submitted to BackerKit for review and should be finalized shortly.  We will then send it out immediately for your responses and get the fulfillment going.  

Tim 

First Tooled Parts!! Production tweaks. Surveys. Shipping. Weights and Pictures.
over 9 years ago – Thu, Feb 02, 2017 at 10:21:11 PM

Hey there backers,

We met with our molding partner yesterday to receive our first tooled parts, and we're happy to say the materials and fits met our expectations!!

First tooled parts and tweaks for production

We are going to be making some small tweaks to the steel safe dimensions on the Garmin and Wahoo inserts to get the docking detents perfect. We will also be dialing in the texture on the Delrin TCMI (Top Cap Mount Interface) to more closely match the 40% Carbon Filled Nylon material of the cradle bottoms. We also want the glossy logo letters and glossy center band to be.....glossier...... These tweaks are currently in process as of this afternoon and should be completed this weekend. Final part approval is planned for this coming Monday or Tuesday, then its back into the presses for the start of our production run this coming Wednesday.

Technically, the parts can be approved for production as they are, they really are nice and fit great. But some of us here at F3 can be a little obsessive in a perfectionist kind of way. And if we don't do it now, every time we look at the Form Mount we will be thinking to ourselves "We should have done it! So were going to take a few steps to get them as close to exactly where we want them to be.

I seem to recall something mentioned somewhere about obsessive and perfectionist and all that... I think it's on our F3 cycling website somewhere...

Backer Surveys

We will be sending out our backer surveys sometime over the weekend or very early next week so we can have everyone's shipping addresses ready and start processing some orders.

Shipping

We are planning to start shipping units sometime this coming Wed/Friday. They will be shipped in the order which they were backed.

Production geometry and weights.

If you look closely you can see that our production geometry is more refined/contoured compared to the early prototypes used to launch the campaign. Also, there are now two M3 SS Button Head screws on the bottom of the cradles which increases clamping force and looks more streamlined than the one socket head cap screw used on the prototypes.These changes were actually necessitated by the TCMI redesign to accommodate multiple brand dock interfaces, and swap-able Cradle Bottoms for GoPro/Lights or Standard configuration. The increase in clamping force was an added benefit which also helps to stiffen up the long arm configuration in fully extended mode... long arms.....another backer inspired feature.....Thank you backers!!

 Next Week

We'll get some pictures posted of the approved for production parts and some video of the actual molding process, for all you tool makers out there;)....or just plain makers....or anyone else that's interested. We'll be letting you know as soon as we get our first batches to the post office too.

Once again, thanks for being patient. Having been personally involved in a few KS campaigns, this one stands out as requiring the least amount of backer support during the time between campaign end and first shipment. You sure have been a quiet group of cyclist! Are you guys still out there? Maybe I bored everyone to sleep with overly detailed tooling reports???

Anyways, until next week.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

F.P.

Last Tooling Update!! First tooled parts next week!!
over 9 years ago – Thu, Jan 26, 2017 at 11:22:21 PM

Hi Backers,

First off, thanks for so being patient, we really appreciate it!

Our Mold 1 is done and Mold 2 will be finished up over the weekend.

We are still on schedule to start molding parts next week.

Our bolts, and hardware are in stock, spacers will be in early next week.

All our packaging and shipping materials are in stock and ready.

Our next update will be to show our production parts and give news about when we will start shipping. Which should be sometime later next week.

Mold 1 for 40% Carbon Filled Nylon parts.

All done and in cue for the molding press!!

Mold 2 -  For Delrin parts.

Almost there, just a few more critical shut off surfaces to fit!!

 Thats it.

Thanks again for being patient and for believing in our product.

Can't wait till next week!

F.P.