Hey all! I think you are due for an assembly update, and so here it is! :)
As Luke mentioned in the last blog post, we decided to assemble and ship in batches, since you all have been waiting for so long. Batch assembly means that those who have waited for the longest won't need to wait until literally every part has been assembled for their Compact to ship. I think you guys deserve that, and even though it is technically less efficient, it makes sense in this case.
To speed assembly, a staff member has designed some very cool assembly fixtures! This also saves my hands. :)
This fixture holds the Compact block in place while I tighten the Chalice Heatbreak.
In the past, I used a clamp to hold the blocks while torquing. This is much faster, and doesn't lead to my hands cramping! :D Plus, uses additive manufacturing, of course.
These organizational bins are also printed, some on Compact. These are labeled "Good Torq'd" so I can keep track of what parts are fully torqued, and which are only finger-tightened. As you can see, I installed a large amount so far.
This fixture is super cool, because it serves two purposes. Once I am done installing heatbreaks, I can flip it, and use it for installing the interposers. This is the most time-consuming part to install, so a fixture is a must. To be clear, I do batches of heatbreak install, I don't flip and instantly do a second part, that would add way too much time.
I know this is such an old photo of the heatsinks, but apparently I haven't taken photos of them since, I checked. The heatsinks are easy to install into the shroud (or Chube Tube, if you prefer) and I haven't had any issue with this part of the assembly. It is simple enough that we don't see a need to make an assembly fixture, at least not for preorder assembly.
Right now the hardest thing, is how messy applying your Boron Nitride is. I am still trying to figure out a way to make the experience less messy... So if you have any tips please send them my way!
I guess I also haven't taken individual photos of shrouds, but you can peep them in the image above :)
I am using plastic trays to hold the Chube Compact Hotends before they go into the Packaging Tubes I lovingly call "Chube Tubes." The wires like to intermingle, and take up a lot of space. I am busy thinking of ways to make this less clunky as well. It just doesn't seem efficient to put them into their packaging one by one.
I am so excited to get all of your Chube Compacts out the door. I am even more excited for you to start printing with them!
