Canvassing Interest in group buy for Esprit V8 CNC billet rear uprights (hub carriers)

[mike_sekinger]

Small update:  production of the remaining parts of this first batch are continuing.  Once the machining of the full run is completed, they will be sent collectively for anodising.   Projection is that the parts will be ready for collection/shipping in December.

[mike_sekinger]

The first customer pair of rear uprights arrived this morning and I have fitted the one side.  Everything fits perfectly and the end product is fabulous in my opinion.

 

 

[mike_sekinger]

Short update on delivery for the 1st production run customers:

5 pairs for JAE in machining

4 pairs for remaining customers will be roughed by end of December and completed for delivery/collection by end of January 2023.

[mike_sekinger]

Apologies for the delay in providing an update on progress.

Aira have been experiencing some electronics issues with their 4-axis machine and are awaiting a new board and support from HAAS.

Once the machine is repaired and up and running, they will be able to provide from forecast information.

[fjmuurling]

Hi Mike @mike_sekinger,

can you give us an (small) update? I know you are on top of things but nevertheless every snippet of information is welcome.

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Freek,

I received the information from Alex at Aira that the HAAS 4-axis machine is once again operational.

The first wave of uprights for JAE are being finalised and will then be sent as a collective batch for anodising around the middle of February.

The second wave of uprights represents the individual custom pairs. These will be machined as a batch and then sent off for anodising.  I do not have an exact forecast date for that, but we are approaching the end of the wait.  Customers who opted for shipping will then receive quotes.

Thanks again for those customers who placed their faith in myself and Aira.

[KaeptnNemo]

probably too late.... I got a cracked one on the LH side 😕

 

[fjmuurling]

@mike_sekinger there might be one set unallocated....................................

 

 

[mike_sekinger]

But as a pair.... not a single upright.

[KaeptnNemo]

Mail to Airatechnology was quite unsuccessfull.

He told me to contact Joe at JAE to maybe get one of the 5 pairs prior to be shipped to the US but at the pricing of JAE (which I don't know yet).

 

Aira is planning another set of 5 later the year, but they were very blurry with a date...

 

[mike_sekinger]

Aira have not finished producing and delivering the first batch of 10 pairs, hence the uncertainty around dates. My pair were supplied in order to confirm form and fit.

5 pairs were for JAE and the remaining sets were all taken.   He`s pointing you at JAE simply as they will have a potential stock, although I do not know if Joe has already allocated those pairs.

You should reach out to PNM to see if they have any stock of the cast re-manufactured uprights from Alan Voigts or Alan directly.

Custom Gearbox Conversions (alanvoigtsgearboxes.co.uk)

 

[KaeptnNemo]

what happened to the quotes of XOMETRY?

They seemed quite reasonable...

 

[mike_sekinger]

Patrick,  That was a preliminary quote and very early in the project.  This was prior to the discovery that the design needed to be re-worked for strength enhancement and dimensional corrections.  We also moved to a stronger alloy.

Aira Technology stepped-up to perform that work.

[KaeptnNemo]

I cannot really see an issue  in increasing the output as long as there is an actual customer for it. That should even have positive influence on the price as well.

OK, I shot Joe at JAE a mail, lets see, what he says.

Steve from SJS told me, that there is a second manufacturer (Alan Voigts) but they refuse to sell those because of safety and accuracy concerns.

Lets see. Mine has a 3cm long crack on the upper 10mm bolt for the wishbone connection. Gonna have an eye on that....

No one is willing to weld this for me yet.

 

 

[mike_sekinger]

I do not understand your argument.  The material was purchased middle of last year.  The manufacturing is a multi-stage process which is being performed in batches.  You cannot just add another pair into the process at this stage.

I had heard about the concerns of several specialist regarding the re-manufactured items.  Just throwing it out there as an option.

Let`s hope that you can get your upright welded/repaired.  That would of course be cheapest and most immediate option.

Good luck

[KaeptnNemo]

Let's see,  if there is more demand for this special item (which a assume).

Unfortunately my router is only 3 Axis

[mike_sekinger]

The first batch of 5 pairs are still in progress, but as you can see Aira are well over halfway to competing these ready for anodising.

Hoping that there are no further outages of downtimes next week.

[mike_sekinger]

The batch of 5 pairs for JAE are finished and being sent off for anodising.

Next month, Aira will commence with the individual customer pairs.

 

[mike_sekinger]

Short update on the individual customer pairs:

Machining is underway with the LH upright 1 machining op away from completion.

Forecast for completion (including anodising) is end of April.

Thanks to all involved for your continued patience.

Further ordering will only be possible via re-sellers.  Details on that and future pricing are being negotiate, but direct orders with Aira will not be supported in the future.

[fjmuurling]

Just curious,

is there also a picture from one of the RH uprights with the VSS holes.

[mike_sekinger]

Hey Freek,

Here you go:

[fjmuurling]

thanks Mike

[mike_sekinger]

Just sharing for those excited about this kind of thing - tapping the wheel bearing mounting threads.

Still on-track for completion by the end of next month.

 

 

[mike_sekinger]

Update:  Progress a little faster than planned - the individual customer uprights are completed machining ops and ready to go for clear anodising.   Excellent work Aira !

[fjmuurling]

I got an email from Alex (Aira) that the uprights are finished and ready for shipping. 😃