Tue Jun 1 '21 Announcement
over 3 years ago – Tue, Jun 01, 2021 at 05:10:31 AM

Dear Backers, 

Our business ramp-up journey continues to be an exciting affair. The Chinese government now released planned shutdowns of factories for better electricity peak usage distribution. This doesn’t mean production stands still, but long-term planning together with the suppliers is crucial now. Further we also have to deal with the famous developments regarding raw material shortage and price increase. Therefore we already bought the mass-production demand for raw material, so we are safe at this point. General planability of the market is bad but we have done everything to reduce the risk of postponements for this reason. 

Pre-production / Mass-production

To recap: Every single part (and there are many) is now ready to be produced for mass production! We have some finished Lumapods that work perfectly.

But this month we sat together with our investor and our partners in China to reflect on the pre-production-outcome. Pre-production should be a ready-for-market product without any rework necessary. But it's an unfortunate fact that not all parts were working properly yet (see our last updates).

We would love to jump right into mass-production, but it’s a risk. We should rather be sure the entire production is working, instead of having to do a lot of expensive and time consuming rework in the end. What also would bring the risk of booking a fulfillment service timesection but not being able to ship by then. Which increases the potential of further inconveniences in costs and time-planning. 

Hence we are forced to do another pre-production round. To speak clear words to you, this means we require some more time. We do our best to limit the extra miles with the following procedure: 

As outlined at the beginning of this update, we have already bought all raw material for mass-production, so we have it avialable to start production and we are not in the risk of having raw-material supply issues. You might have heard about these developments in the media some time ago. All parts that need more than 20 working days production time (aluminum die casting parts incl. printing, gearing grip incl. overmolding and printing, some other metal parts) will already be ordered in mass-production quantity, in order to save time later when we order the mass-production. All other material is ordered in smaller quantities to assemble 200 Lumapods. Right after approving these, the full quantity will be made.

We know there will be some unhappy feedback in the comments, but priority is and remains the product. Shipping is now expected to happen in August / September this year. This is unfortunate and, as with all previous postponements, we are not happy with this further delay. Every month we lose, we lose our own time and money we invest. Further we lose time we could already be on the market. But we rather build a sustainable business with a good product. We hope you can understand and that you can support us with your patience. We'd love to see the one or the other supportive comment below, because as you can imagine, given all the postponements we've had before, it wasn't an easy decision to make.

Update on the improvements

Grip

After the second tool rework, also the Go120 grips were satisfying. To avoid the same mistake in mass production, we sent precise gauges for in-process-quality-control to the manufacturer. So the manufacturer can instantly know if the parts coming out the molding machine are ok or not. 

Printing

Meanwhile we received printed grips as well. Problem solved, ink holds properly. Even after really hard rubbing, the ink stays.

Grip with new printing design

And as you can see here, we used the time to improve the intuitivity of the Lumapod. We think with the print design in the picture above it's easier to distinguish whether Lumapod is unlocked or locked. Just as a reminder, before it looked like this:

Grip with old printing design

Telescope

As already outlined in the last update, the telescope is fine now. But since we have rebuilt the last Lumapod samples with first-out-of-tool extrusion parts, we should rather want to see a small series before doing mass-production. That's one of the main reasons why we decided to repeat the pre-production. We also want to see, occasional mistakes being made in the first pre-production will not be repeated. (Mixing up some parts, etc.)

Some impressions of the updated pre-production samples

(Means former pre-production samples with improved parts)

Lumapod Go120 beta-model always with us for our hikes

Latest updated Go120 model after being tested now with friends on their vacation

Timeline

Material production                  June

Pre-Production Assembly      June

Shipping / Testing                    July

Material production                 July / August

Mass-Production                      August / September 

This is still an estimated timeline. More about this in the next update.

FAQs

How can I change my address or payment data?

You can change your address or payment data directly in your backerkit account. Log in here: https://www.backerkit.com/backer_accounts/sign_in

If you didn’t sign up for Backerkit, you might also click on “Just looking for your survey? Find it here” (Note: You will find 2 campaigns when searching for “Lumapod”. One for Kickstarter and one for Indiegogo.)

Alternatively, just drop us a message and we will send a direct access link.

Thank you guys! We love you! Stay healthy!

  - The Lumapod Team

Fri Apr 30 '21 Announcement
over 3 years ago – Fri, Apr 30, 2021 at 06:55:49 AM

Dear Backers, 

Getting close to serial production. The improvements after the pre-production run were now also tested with mostly good results. Now as we are only waiting to approve the last samples, there is not much to share in this update. 

Improvements before mass-production

Grip

The grip samples we have got for Go85 were perfect and ready to go for mass-production. But the samples of the grip for Go120 needed another revision. Yes again. The samples are in the plane to our office, but according to our partner in China the dimensions are ok now. We will double check once they arrive.

For better understanding: Relocating tools (we had that a few months ago) is by no means always easy. Manufacturers have different molding machines and different quality requirements for tool processing. It so happened that the relocated tool needed further revisions at such a late point in time. We are very sorry about that!

To avoid parts not meeting our tolerances in the future, we are making gauges for suppliers at the moment, so they can check the parts themselves during their processes and instantly know if the parts are ok.

Printing

In one of the previous updates we mentioned that the print on the rubber grip can be rubbed off too easily. Just for your information, the next grip samples we receive will be printed as well, so we can double check if the ink they use for mass-production will be suitable. This would not have been necessary in this case, but we take this opportunity to gain best possible certainty here.

Telescope

As shared in the last update, we improved the robustness of the bottom telescope tube, in order to increase the durability. Samples received, tested and approved for a long life :)

Durability testing

We did more durability tests with the revised and recently received parts. As usual 3,000 cycles with no mention-worthy wear & tear. After the tests, the tripods still worked fine. Everybody can calculate himself, for how long he thinks he will have to use the Lumapod, in order to achieve 3,000 cycles of use ;) … 

Timeline

We should be ready to push the button for mass production in May. Finally :)

Approval                     April - May

Mass-Production     May - June 

This is still an estimated timeline. More about this in the next update.

FAQs

How can I change my address or payment data?

You can change your address or payment data directly in your backerkit account. Log in here: https://www.backerkit.com/backer_accounts/sign_in

If you didn’t sign up for Backerkit, you might also click on “Just looking for your survey? Find it here” (Note: You will find 2 campaigns when searching for “Lumapod”. One for Kickstarter and one for Indiegogo.)

Alternatively, just drop us a message and we will send a direct access link.

Thank you guys! We love you! Stay healthy!

  - The Lumapod Team

Thu Apr 1 '21 Announcement
over 3 years ago – Thu, Apr 01, 2021 at 08:31:53 AM

Dear Backers, 

Meanwhile we have done the 100% pre-production test. Please see the details below. The pre-production was very worth it, as it showed us what still can happen under mass-production conditions. The points below have raised a few tasks, but most of them are already done and we should still keep up with our targeted timeline.

We apologize for the fact that this update does not contain many pictures, as the corresponding parts are currently on the way to Austria. Fortunately by air freight :)

Pre-Production Outcome

Grip

As mentioned in the last update, we have had to revise the tooling in order to make it work properly. Tool revision is completed and samples are on the way to our office. 

Part dimensions

Part dimension accuracy has become much better, but in two cases we still had some functionality issues. To avoid this we revised the affected toolings and agreed with the manufacturers on an in-process-quality-instruction that prevents these issues from happening again. We will also apply such instructions to all other parts that could lead to problems, so we are as safe as possible for mass-production. We do not want to have any more postponements by rejecting parts to be remade. 

Printing

In the last update we also mentioned that the color of the print on the rubber grip can be rubbed off too easily. We solved this with our supplier. It was only a matter of the ink mixture. We will test the new ink before mass-production. 

Durability Testing

The outcome of the durability testing was satisfying for all aspects but one: Since a while we were not 100% sure if the mechanism to snap in the legs is sufficient enough for long-term durability. We made some improvements to the stamping tool, but it turned out this sampling method just isn’t precise enough what can lead to defects.
Therefore we had to decide for a more expensive CNC milled solution. This hurts a bit, but we have our priorities here :)

The tools for it are already completed and the samples are on the way to us:

Telescope Bottom Tube

Timeline

Approval of the last revisions     April

Mass-Production                            April - May 

This is still an estimated timeline. More about this in the next update.

FAQs

How can I change my address or payment data?

You can change your address or payment data directly in your backerkit account. Log in here: https://www.backerkit.com/backer_accounts/sign_in

If you didn’t sign up for Backerkit, you might also click on “Just looking for your survey? Find it here” (Note: You will find 2 campaigns when searching for “Lumapod”. One for Kickstarter and one for Indiegogo.)

Alternatively, just drop us a message and we will send a direct access link.

Thank you guys! We love you! Stay healthy!

 - The Lumapod Team

Mon Mar 1 '21 Announcement
over 3 years ago – Mon, Mar 01, 2021 at 08:49:15 AM

Dear Backers, 

we cannot put in words how much we looked forward to finally seeing the pre-production result! Shipping took more than two weeks longer than expected, due to lack of shipping capacities and Chinese New Year, but eventually the Lumapods arrived some days ago. 

Pre-Production delivery

Pre-Production Outcome

Doing 100% inspection of so many goods takes a while. As we have only had the products since last Wednesday, we are not at all done with the inspection yet. But we think we have already got a pretty good overall impression.

Look and Feel

The products look pretty nice. Almost no mistakes in material production. We are very satisfied with this point. 

Some pre-produced Lumapods

Mechanism

One of the parts, of which we have 3 pcs in each Lumapod gearing, has a small dimensional issue. This leads to the grip not bouncing back properly after unlocking the telescope. 

Grip not bouncing back

We are already working on a solution together with the supplier. Should be solved soon.

Printing

The printing can be too easily rubbed off by hand, when applying some more force.

Printing rubbed off by hand

Our QC partner is advised to optimize the printing with the supplier and to do some more tests. So the printing should be improved, when it comes to mass production.

Durability Testing

After exchanging the three parts mentioned above - in order to have proper functionality - we will do a durability testing. 3,000 cycles. After this the Lumapod must still work properly and must not show significant wear and tear. This way long-term durability is ensured.

Testing device in action

Timeline

Due to the shipping delay of the pre-production, as well as the need to improve at the supplier side, we cannot start mass-production right away. 

Inspection and adaptations           March

Mass-Production                               April - May 

This is still an estimated timeline. More about this in the next update.

FAQs

How can I change my address or payment data?

You can change your address or payment data directly in your backerkit account. Log in here: https://www.backerkit.com/backer_accounts/sign_in

If you didn’t sign up for Backerkit, you might also click on “Just looking for your survey? Find it here” (Note: You will find 2 campaigns when searching for “Lumapod”. One for Kickstarter and one for Indiegogo.)

Alternatively, just drop us a message and we will send a direct access link.

Thank you guys! We love you! Stay healthy!

  - The Lumapod Team

Mon Feb 1 '21 Announcement
over 3 years ago – Mon, Feb 01, 2021 at 08:28:21 AM

Dear Backers, 

It has been quite a good time for us this month. Pre-production went well despite small easily solvable issues, which had no impact on the timeline. This month's update basically contains some pictures and information about the pre-production progress. 

Pre-Production Progress

The official start of pre-production assembly was at the end of last week. According to our plan, assembly will be finished before our assembly factory starts their Chinese New Year vacation. Hence this week. While our manufacturing partners are enjoying their festivals, we are waiting for the pre-production batch to be shipped to our office, so we can give it a 100% inspection. 

Gearing

Quality inspection made. Pre-production assembly of the sub-assembly finished.

Gearing assembly

Telescope / Slider 

Telescopes and Sliders have been tested and the reject rate was rather high. But still in a reasonable range, considering this is still pre-production phase. The manufacturer has become aware of more critical points, which he will be cautious about during mass-production.

Pictures of the telescope sub-assemblies were already shared in the last update.

Final assembly

Our assembly partner now had the task to learn how to efficiently assemble, what to be cautious about and what are indicators to determine whether a part or sub-assembly is good or not good. This was an intensive journey for all of us, but we are very happy to see how professional our new assembly partner works. 

Assembly team in action

Assembly of the Leg Extension Wheels

Assembly tool to glue the rope attachments in action

Lumapod in the finish line :)

What remains to be said. Thank you so much again and again for your patience, support and your trust!

Timeline

Still no changes :) 

Pre-Production                                Is being shipped to us these days

Chinese New Year                           February

Mass-Production                            February / March 

This is still an estimated timeline. Now that the pre-production is about to be finished, we can be more certain about the timeline. After Chinese New Year, we will coordinate the exact timeline with our manufacturers. More about this in the next update.

FAQs

How can I change my address or payment data?

You can change your address or payment data directly in your backerkit account. Log in here: https://www.backerkit.com/backer_accounts/sign_in

Alternatively, just drop us a message and we will send a direct access link.

Refund

For all who ask for a refund, please be aware of the fact that you agreed that you would prefinance this project by buying your Lumapod in advance. After a certain point - when the refund period is over - you are part of this project according to the rules of Kickstarter and Indiegogo. We are on a good way to fulfill our promise despite all the obstacles along the way and all that is going on in the world right now. But in order to remain a stable business partner, even though unexpected further difficulties could come along with the manufacturing process or the virus, we need to state that any other refund would put us more in the risk of having problems in the long run. Therefore refunds would be unfair to all other 4,600 backers. In the interest of all we will not put the majority at a higher risk just for some single persons, at least until we have more clarity about the further global developments. We thank you for your understanding. 

Can I buy add-ons without a Lumapod?

Unfortunately this is not possible, as this does not work out with the pricing systems on Indiegogo. But you will certainly be able to order the add-ons later, once we are on the regular market.

Thank you guys! We love you! Stay healthy!

 - The Lumapod Team