Voyager Kettle: Updated Prototype Completed
almost 4 years ago
– Mon, Jul 13, 2020 at 08:01:11 PM
Good evening-
I wanted to provide an update now that we have received the new prototype from our partner. We are very happy with the updates to both the design and function of the Voyager Kettle and are excited to share some images. I apologize for the continued delays we have faced up to this point. This phase of our process was 6 months behind what was quoted. We are doing everything we can to make up as much time as possible while ensuring we deliver the best product possible.
Below are a few images of the prototype in multiple heating stages as well as in it's collapsed form.
1. Logo-Only Mode: Logo appears when kettle is plugged in but power button has not been pushed
2. Heating Mode: Once power button has been pushed and temperature has been selected, red light turns on to indicate heating
3. Hold Mode: Once selected temperature has been reached, the light will switch to green to indicate it is holding temperature for 15 minutes
4. Collapsed Top View:
5. Collapsed Front View:
As we continue to evaluate the updated prototype our current partner is making final revisions to the CAD drawings and creating the manufacturing package. This will be completed in the next 4 weeks.
We will send this manufacturing package to our potential manufacturing partners to provide quotes and updated timelines to fulfill your pledges. We have been speaking with 3 potential manufacturing partners already so that they are prepared to review the completed files and so we can move forward quickly with the selected partner.
Thank you all again for the continued support and patience as we move towards manufacturing. Please feel free to message or email ([email protected]) any questions that I can address.
Ryan Mack
Quick Voyager Kettle Update
almost 4 years ago
– Fri, Jun 19, 2020 at 09:15:41 PM
Good morning-
I wanted to provide a brief update as we work to finalize the updated Voyager Kettle prototype.
My expectation was to have the completed prototype in hand for this update in order to provide photos and videos of the kettle in action. Our prototyping partner has unfortunately hit another delay. Once the kettle was fully assembled they realized the temperature probe was not functioning properly. They are continuing to troubleshoot and hope to have the problem identified and fixed in the next few days. Once this is resolved the prototype will be sent to us.
I will provide an additional project update with pictures and videos as soon as we receive the completed prototype. Our hope is that this will happen in the next 7-10 days.
As soon as our prototyping partner finishes the prototype they will begin the documentation phase of the project which will give us the final CAD and BOM documents. We will utilize these documents to finalize cost and manufacturing timelines with our manufacturing partner.
We appreciate the patience and support from all of our backers as we work through delays and continue towards our final product. Please feel free to reach out at any time through Kickstarter or my direct email ([email protected]) with any questions.
Thank you!
Voyager Kettle- Quick Update
about 4 years ago
– Mon, May 04, 2020 at 03:16:05 PM
Good morning-
I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. I wanted to provide a quick update on the Voyager Kettle.
We have hit a couple of delays while we have been working to finalize the updated prototype. We wanted to share a few details:
-During testing, we discovered we had a power supply issue. We were not getting full power to the heating element. We were able to fix the issue by changing the triac component out for a relay. This was a very simple design change with no impact to the product.
-We then discovered even after fixing the power issue, that the boiling time was higher than it should be. We have discovered the thermal paste used initially to attach the heating element has a much lower thermal conductivity than average thermal paste. We are currently replacing this and expect this to resolve the issue. This is not a production concern as we would use a braising method to attach the heating element at manufacturing stage.
We expect updates and remaining testing to be completed in the next 1-2 weeks and will provide an update when we receive the completed prototype.
Thank you all for your continued support as we work towards delivering the Voyager Kettle. Please reach out at anytime if I can address any specific questions.
Thank you!
Voyager Kettle Update
about 4 years ago
– Wed, Mar 25, 2020 at 03:34:06 PM
Good morning-
I wanted to reach out with a brief update on where we stand and next steps. Our engineering team has continued to work on finishing our next prototype and we are very close to completing this step!
The team has been working through electronics testing and is now finishing testing on our auto-voltage feature to automatically detect and switch between 110/220 power.
We expect to receive the prototype from the team within the next 2 weeks. I will plan to post additional pictures and videos of the kettle at that time.
With the SCA Coffee Festival in Portland recently being canceled, I would be happy to set-up video calls with any interested parties to share and demonstrate the kettle. Feel free to reach out if interested. Depending on the level of interest, I will set-up individual calls or look to do a live video event.
Lastly, we are still working on transitioning from final prototype stage into manufacturing. With the current environment of COVID-19, this transition is taking longer than we planned. We will continue to work to push through this step and keep all of you in the loop on our progress.
Thank you very much for all of your continued support and don't hesitate to reach out if I can address any questions.
Ryan Mack
Quick Prototype Update!
about 4 years ago
– Wed, Feb 12, 2020 at 12:33:43 AM
Good evening backers-
I hope you have had a great start to the near year! I wanted to touch base to provide a brief update on our progress of building the updated prototype.
The majority of work since the last update has been on building and testing the circuit boards for the kettle. See below image of initial powering of the board. Our engineering team is busy this week finishing the boards in order to do final testing and finish building up the prototype.
In addition to working on the circuit boards, software, and making minor tweaks, we have also finalized the screen interface visuals through different stages of using the kettle.
- Screen 1: Kettle is turned on, logo fades in
- Screen 2: User selects desired temperature
- Screen 3: Kettle is heating water; red dot indicates it is in heating mode
- Screen 4: Kettle has finished heating and is automatically in hold mode; green dot to indicate
Lastly, we have been working on initial designs of the case to accompany the kettle. The main goals of the case were to protect the kettle and keep the two-part design together while traveling. I have included a couple initial renders of the progress.
Thank you all for your continued support. We cannot wait to deliver the Voyager Kettle! We look forward to seeing and sharing our prototype with those of you who will be attending the SCA Coffee Expo in Portland in April. We will have another update soon with completed images and videos of the prototype!
Ryan Mack
