December 24, 2007 - The design has gone through 18 iterations over a four month back-and forth between Tom (the designer) and the company that will manufacture the steel parts.
A check has been sent to the manufacturer to cover the cost of their tooling design and construction. More back-and-forth will occur as the manufacturer's designers begin their work. Upon completion of the tooling, another check will be sent for manufacture of 1000 units.
Meanwhile, several hundred of the delrin small gears will be ordered, and a number of Veeder-Root counters in both five and six digit models. With all the parts in hand, Tom will begin assembly of the finished units.
January 8, 2008 - Tooling is scheduled for completion on 08-01-18. We need to pay for production before it is scheduled.
Prices on the Veeder-Root 5-digit counter just went up $3, and $4 for the 6-digit. We are working on pricing. We want to keep it low enough to be attractive but with enough profit built in to recoup the substantial initial investment in stamped parts.
January 13, 2008 - Note from Tom: "I've talked to the tooling engineer a couple times, and I think he's on the right track, time and product. Next week should see progress on the metal bits."
January 21, 2008 - The counter project has three phases. The first, the design and development phase, is now complete. A small amount of redesign has been completed, and Tom and the fabricator have reached agreement about what Tom wants to be done and what the fabricator can do. The design work of the fabricator was paid for earlier. Questions of quantity and parts finishing have been decided. Tooling work has begun.
Phase two has now begun. A check was written yesterday for fabrication of 1000 units. Fabrication will begin as soon as the punching tools have been made, which is in progress. Estimated delivery is not known yet, but will be reported when we know something specific.
February 11, 2008 - Tom talked with the parts fabricator today. He reports: “Tooling has been taking a bit longer than expected, but will be complete on or about 2-27. Material has been ordered, and is to be received next week. I explained the necessity for delivery in mid-March, and was told that late March can be expected. It will be close to making London, but as it looks now I think it'll be a go. I also touched base with the Waterjet operator, and he can work in an order for a few hundred gears on the same schedule.” Upon delivery of the parts, phase three, assembly of the units by Tom, will begin and units will become available for sale.
March 16, 2008 - Tom reports "I called yesterday, and the manufacturers are still telling me it will be a couple more weeks. With holidays off for Easter it is too close to tell whether or not 'late March' still holds. One of the three steel pieces has been struck, tooling and material are there for one other, and tooling is complete for the last."
