Update #14 - Intro to RODA!
over 4 years ago – Wed, Dec 04, 2019 at 08:25:25 PM

Hello Everyone! The first 100 RODAs are on their way and as promised here is a short video introduction to RODA showing off some of the cool things you can do with them. 

There is a lot more that RODA can do so be sure to experiment and let us know what you find!

The first 100 units will begin arriving as soon as today! Additionally, we are working with our manufacturers, anodizers, and shippers to deliver a second batch by the end of the year. We will keep you updated on our progress and beyond!

Thanks again for all your support!

- Jose & Team

Update #13 - First Batch Shipped!
over 4 years ago – Wed, Nov 27, 2019 at 10:11:40 PM

We are very excited to announce that the first round of RODAs has been packaged and picked up by our shipping company! We are shipping the first 100 units out, including 80 RODA Showcase orders and the first 20 RODA Showcase Black orders. 

It has taken a long time and a lot of work to get to this point but we can't wait for out first backers to get their rewards. The first backers will be receiving their gyroscopes before the end of the month. You will receive a tracking email as soon as your unit ships out to you from our fulfillment center here in Chicago.

Although we originally wanted to ship more out in this first batch we now see that the original goal was overly optimistic. We will be adjusting our estimates based on what we've learned as well as tweaking our process to reduce time wherever possible. We are working hard to get more units completed and shipped. We are aiming for another shipment to go out in December and will keep you updated as we progress. 

We will be sending out a new update in a few days with a link to an instructional video on what RODA can do. Make sure to watch so you can get the most  out of your gyroscope right out of the box! 

Although the gyroscopes have undergone quality control, some components will function better as they are spun more times, slowly falling into place and becoming smoother and more stable. 

RODA is a very unique desk toy, with a lot of capabilities that we are still learning about ourselves. It can behave differently based on spin speeds, friction with the surface, and how it is held or placed on its base. Be sure to explore and let us know what new tricks you find by using the hashtag #RODA and tagging our instagram @mechanicaldesignlabs.

Lastly, we recognize that as first time creators delivering our first batch of orders there may be unforeseen issues. If you have any issues or concerns with the gyroscope you received or are expecting, please email us at [email protected] and we will work to make your experience with us as positive as we can. We are very grateful to all our backers for bringing this project to life. We are committed to doing right by each and every one of you and giving you all a wonderful experience with your RODA.

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks again for all your support!

- Jose & Team

Update #12 - Inspections and Shipping
over 4 years ago – Tue, Nov 19, 2019 at 12:23:23 AM

Hello again everyone! We are very near to shipping our first batch of RODAs! We are very excited as we start putting units into their final boxes and closing them up for good! We can't wait for you to unbox your gyroscope and experience it for yourselves. 

We are coordinating with our shipping company for pickup of the first batch of units next week. We do not have forklifts or loading equipment so we had to plan with the shipping company to ensure pickup goes smoothly. From there it will take them just a few days to ship out the units, at which point you will receive an email with tracking information. Make sure your BackerKit survey is up to date! We are working around the clock to get as many units assembled and tested before they are picked up. We will send out another update once they are picked up and prepped for shipping. 

Here's a picture of production quality, ready-for-boxing units in each of the color options.  

We are very happy at how the anodize on the aluminum came out, the colors are vibrant and we immediately noticed the increased scratch resistance. 

Each and every unit produced is spun multiple times to ensure it is up to our standards. Below are some videos of the types of tests we perform on each unit. Spinning RODA in the Showcase Base, we measure the spin times, and verify that the unit stays upright and does not topple over, especially near the end, where the energy in the wheel is no longer enough to keep the base elevated, and the system become chaotic before spinning down to it's rest position.   

RODA behaves  very differently based on how hard the wheel was spun, at what angle the base was set down, and the amount of friction between the base and the surface. Be sure to experiment!

Besides the Showcase tests, we run the gyroscope by itself and time it as well. On a good spin RODA can spin for a very long time!

We recognize that many RODAs are being used as gifts for people who did not see the videos and explanations in the kickstarter campaign. For this reason we are including a small set of instructions with a quick intro on what RODA is and how to use it. 

 We'll also be producing a video with some tips and tricks on our website, and will deliver it in out next update to show off some more details on RODA.

It is very clear to us that you are all just as excited and enthusiastic about receiving you RODA as we are about sending it to you. We are working tirelessly to fulfill your orders and are targeting a second batch shipment before the end of the year. We will let you know how many are shipped out in this first batch, as well as our target for our second shipment quantities and dates, in the next update after the first units are picked up.

Thanks again for all your support,

- Jose & Team

Update #11 - Manufacturing and Finishing
over 4 years ago – Mon, Oct 14, 2019 at 10:56:04 PM

Hello again everyone! We wanted to give you all an update on our progress as well as share some cool new pictures and videos of what we're working on to get you your RODAs. 

Manufacturing

We have been hard at work manufacturing units in preparation for our first shipment. We have some good news and some bad news to share with you. The bad news is we ran into a lot of problems manufacturing the bases. The parts became very weak as we removed more and more material and we would regularly have a part come ripped off of the machine. The way around this was to slow things down very much to make sure the cuts were less aggressive. Because of this, out first shipment has been delayed to early November. We understand that this may cause frustration, but we hope you will understand that the reason for this is we are unwilling to compromise on the product quality. 

The good news is we have spoken with several experts and have designed a new rig to manufacture the bases which is now fully up and running with 100% success rate so far. This means we can now produce bases that hold up to our quality standard at much faster speeds. 

The second bit of good news is that while we were figuring out the base manufacturing problem,we continued manufacturing units and will now have enough parts on hand to fulfill the first 300 units in our first shipment. That means that if you backed our project in the first 12 days of the campaign, your RODA will be on its way to you in the first shipment in the next few weeks. 

Finishing

Once the parts come out of the machine, they are finished using a vibratory tumbler. This process removes sharp corners and gives the parts a much more even look. There will always be a hint of machine lines, but we think those actually add character, and make every single RODA unique. 

After tumbling is completed, you can really see the difference in surface finish. The mill lines become much less pronounced and the overall color is evened out. This also preps the aluminum for anodization.

Next Steps

Now that we have the first 300 units manufactured, we will be shipping them to the anodize house tomorrow to get finished in your chosen color or clear protective coating. From there, we are scheduled to get the parts back early next week, where we will begin final assembly and shipping!

We hope you enjoyed this update and we'll be writing again very soon with information on the first batch of shipments, as well as an update on when the next round will be shipped out. If you haven't yet, please remember to complete your survey!

Thank you again for all your patience and support. 

- Jose & Team

Update #10 - Rip Cords
over 4 years ago – Sat, Sep 14, 2019 at 02:10:18 AM

Hello everyone! Here's a quick update on our status and a few reminders! Backerkit surveys have closed but there are still over 100 backers who have not completed their selections. We need your answers to manufacture the correct number of units and send them out to be anodized in your color selections. Backers that do not complete their surveys soon will risk having their unit shipment delayed, since we need your selection and address information to complete the order. If you have lost access to your survey, or never received one you can retrieve it by clicking here.

Note that you can still update your address, however you will not be able to change your RODA selections such as color upgrades or add-ons. That helps us secure the final count to make sure enough units are manufactured for each option.

 Rip Cord

One of the features that makes RODA easy to use and run at high speed is the included gear rip cord. Traditional gyroscopes rely on a hole in the shaft and a piece of string that the user would have to spin up every time they wanted to run their gyroscope. The RODA has a brass gear integrated into the shaft, which matches the included rip cord perfectly. We're now excited to say that after months of talking to mold manufacturers, reviewing mold designs, and requesting samples, we've received the final rip cords we'll be sending along to our backers. They are extremely tough and durable, while still remaining flexible. 

 We've tested the rip cords for strength and flexibility, and have not been able to break a single rip cord, or even a single tooth on a rip cord. 

We stand by the durability of our product. Should any of our backers break a rip cord, we will replace it, free of charge. 

Some backers have also written to us concerned about losing their rip cords. We are looking at adding the rip cord by itself as an item for purchase on our web store. We will keep you updated once we decide on a path forward and pricing options, which will mostly be determined by the cost of shipping. 

Delivery

We are working towards sending out the first batch of RODAs by the end of the month. That's just 3 more weeks before our early backers start receiving their units. 

 We've now manufactured the first few hundred and will be sending all the aluminum components out for anodization. Then it's on to final assembly and packaging and we'll be shipping you your RODA before you know it!

Thanks again for all your support. We hope you enjoyed this update and please remember to complete your surveys!

- Jose & Team

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