Towards completion
Hope remains in the queue for surface preparation, with this stage expected to commence next week. Consequently, this means that we will most probably move beyond our initially anticipated Q3 fulfilment, with fulfilment now expected to take place during Q4.
As a reminder, all components aside from the enclosures, authentication crests, and switch plates are complete and ready for shipment. These are currently with our principal manufacturer and will be shipped alongside the remaining components once the finishing processes have been completed.
Particular care will be taken throughout these final stages of production to ensure that every unit meets the standard we have set for FSR. Our partner, Kevin, will personally inspect each unit as part of the factory's quality control. Upon arrival at FSR, we will carry out a second inspection of every unit prior to fulfilment, with our vendors following the same procedure upon receiving their allocation. In doing so, each unit will pass through two layers of individual quality control before making its way to you.
While fulfilment remains dependent on the completion of the remaining finishing processes, we are continuing to work closely with the factory to ensure we progress as efficiently as possible.
Gathering pace
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Luna thus far. It has been especially wonderful to see that the majority of those who have supported the project have chosen to purchase more than one, which has been incredibly encouraging to see.
Luna is progressing well. Machining is now complete, with the units set to enter surface preparation alongside Hope.
As with Hope, Luna will undergo the same two-stage quality control process, with each unit individually inspected at the factory before being inspected again by us upon arrival at FSR.
The carry case design is currently being finalised, with production anticipated to commence later this month.
A new approach
As development of Reign continues, we have taken a slightly different approach to the prototyping process. We had planned to order various materials utilising a custom mould to test the mounting system, but this instead led to the somewhat spontaneous decision to invest in a 3D printer of our own, opening up an entirely new avenue for us to explore.
We are currently trialling this approach to determine whether a more unconventional material might offer a distinctive typing experience. Producing these components ourselves gives us considerably greater freedom to iterate and refine the design, whilst allowing us to experiment with different materials and colours without the constraints of minimum order quantities. It also reduces lead times and our reliance upon external manufacturers, giving us greater flexibility throughout the development process. Should this approach ultimately not achieve the characteristics we are seeking, we have established contacts available to pursue an alternative manufacturing route.
The PCBs have now arrived, and builds are currently being assembled and tested as we continue to refine Reign.
For now, our focus remains on refining the mounting system and determining the most suitable direction for Reign. We are particularly interested to see whether this approach can offer something distinctive in terms of sound and feel, whilst maintaining the level of refinement you can expect from us.
One year
With this entry, we mark twelve consecutive months of publishing these updates, and we are immensely grateful to everyone who has supported FSR throughout the past year. We hope FSR continues to grow as it has, and that the time, care, and effort we continue to pour into it are evident in everything we create.
Jack.