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The micRo v1.2.1 will be delivered fully assembled, wired, programmed, trammed and tested by Robin, Kellie and your's truly.

The micRo desktop manufacturer v1.2.1 will arrive to you with nothing to do but turn it on.

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COMPUTER AND MACHINE CONTROLLER INCLUDED

The sexy new bot is all inclusive with custom built and programmed embedded computer featuring:

Super fast booting from SSD,

Embedded Machine Control plus,

Embedded Drivers, Power Supplies and Cabling.

These goodies are contained within the ultra small, ultra portable, uber power-efficient Shuttle KPC:

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And for those with a couple more Franklins to spend, you can have it with an embedded touchscreen controller!

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These machines will come with our custom software installed; 100% ready to play. Our software includes:

Our "Hardened" EMC2 MC.

G-code shape libraries.

The ability to run the bot by hand or by feeding it Python code.

Sophisticated real-time calibration and monitoring software will also be installed.

The micRo machine controller (MMC) boots and runs incredibly fast from its SSD and RAM-loaded OS. The system is configured to allow "unplugging the OS" without any concern; to shut the system down, just kill the power.

The MMC will allow machine control by USB interface (joystick, pendant, Wiimote), and includes pretty decent CAD, CAM, raster and vector programs for in situ job genesis. Basically, you can't kill it, it runs straight out of the box, and it's got everything you need to get to work.

PS, the system will make a fine net-desktop (Ubuntu), or you could dual-boot to windows possibly saving you the expense of another desktop for your home or office.

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USA LINEAR WAYS

Another change you will notice is the switch to USA-made linear ways. Perhaps more interesting is that the ways are ceramic coated hardened 6061 alum! There are numerous benefits here; mainly the precision, which is <.001" over 20 feet! This will also allow us to switch to ptfe dry lube for much cleaner operation and will shave off some 14lbs from micRo's shipping weight.

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We also ditched the "trucks" on the gantry's X, opting for a end-supported floating X-shaft that offers us better precision, tighter calibration, and most important will give us "pass-through" milling under the X-ways. This will allow much larger pieces to be continuously milled!

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CABLING

They say both God and the Devil are in the details; but God only knows how long and hard I've worked on a cabling solution for the mighty micRo!

Sheesh, I'm sure it looks easy as presented, but this stuff is hard to find! The wire spec alone has been thoroughly consternating; and then the failure of tested materials that couldn't take the real world. BLAH. YET....FINALLY, several critical pieces fell into place, and the job was spec'd out far better than I had originally hoped for. The main advances here are sorting the proper wire for the job, finding connectors that unfailing, have high power ratings and physical securement. Another issue is getting the cables assembled, which Robin and I had woefully resigned ourselves to until I found a supplier of the fittings who can also provide professional cable assembly. The wire, (as far as I can tell from some months of searching) is only available from a single British manufacturer. It is only found by knowing the proper DEF-STAN (??) nomenclature, which I have pray written down somewhere...Anyway, this is a 4-conductor braided wire with tinned copper braided shield, is trussed, is small in diameter and is nominally rated for 2x the power we need.

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The terminations are made with these wonderful BNC-esque, DIN-esque (haaaard to find in assembly environment) power connectors. I remembered buying them from Radio Crack when I was like 12; they call them CB mic connectors I think (which is not at all helpful).

These connectors are practically indestructible, and they securely fasten by screwing the plug housing into the jack. This is critical to avoid permanent damage to the drivers, or loss of drive to the motors. Amps hate being disconnected when they are live! This usually "lets the smoke out of the chips".

The "female" and "male" jacks...(these terms are weird for jacks containing a probe with holes in it; I think we should call the plug a "she-male" and the jack a "transvestite").

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That's pretty slick (and that Shuttle case is one I've been drooling over for a while for a PC here), but going "fully assembled" looks like it pretty much is going to put it out of my range.

I have computer(s) that I can use... I have various skills... part of the "fun" was putting it together :-)

Anyway, will have to think on this. Maybe still offer a kit to those who want it? Or something in between?

Hi bdillahu,

Well, I hadn't yet gotten to the best part; which is that if you are on our robotics mailing list by tomorrow evening, you will receive an email offering a one (short) time $300 discount!

A micRo v1.21 for only $1499! This offer is briefly available to everyone on our mailing list only, though current micRo customers are of course welcome to upgrade at the discount. That's just $499 over the previous price, and contains the fully assembled machine, computer and programming (plus a bunch more stuff I'm getting around to....).

Oh, and of course we can sell you a kit. If you decide this is what you want, simply write to Kellie: support@lumenlab.com

That looks sleek indeed!

What a pity I've reached the limit of our budget we've set aside for the MicRo.

Anyway, I'm convinced that all three iterations of MicRo will get the job done.

Cheers,
Gerhard

Hi Gerhard, No worries, you know I'll send you the best of what I have! Are you ready? Your machine can ship Monday!

Steve Lodefink has been assembling his micRo for Make magazine:

http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/

As of tonight, all systems are go!

Never doubted that! Great service as always! I'm ready

Do you remember the PM's I've send about shipment? If not I'll send it again.

Cheers,
Gerhard

Great!


Yes I remember, but those PMs are far-far away my friend. Can you please let Kellie know (support@lumenlab.com) all of the details you require?

PS: expect some nice things. (And a huge thanks for your support Gerhard!)

Brain,
I don't know how you do it, but you do.
I'd like to upgrade my micro gold package to the new 1.21. Do I just send an email to Kellie?
Thanks!
-John

That'll work, and thanks!

You will absolutely love this bot!

So the v1.1 robots will ship this week ?????

Yippeeee, Hurry, hurry, hurry UPS/FedEx ....

How much longer will 1.21 take than 1.2 units to arrive?

Hey Everyone,

I just want to clarify that the upgrade to version 1.21 is completely optional.

We will not change anyone's existing order unless you request it.

Hi llama, Yes, it's hard to believe, I know! The company making the X screws is sending us 1/2 the order now to help us get the bots out the door. I also ordered some boxes and packing materials which should be here Tues, so we'll be boxing up the robots again.



Hi comp, my best answer is "hardly any longer".


Yes, apparently something was "lost in translation" with the fellow earlier, who believed we were increasing the price on existing orders; we are not.

Was wondering when you'd make these type of cabling changes.. fiddly wire problems drive you insane. I'd like to think those are good choices.. if only because I happen to have the same cable and jacks sitting beside me patiently awaiting a particular delivery.

I have to admit, I thought long and hard about registering for your short time offer. I just wish there was a bit more cash in the kitty!

With the super sleek Shuttle case and the stylish white bloks, I think Brainchild is the Jonathan Ive of the CNC world!


[Edit: Typo]

Routine testing of the newer, more powerful power supplies.

More soon!

This is forboding!


We need to do this or we aren't doing our jobs.

That last video was too long for youtube, can we see it some other way?

Hi Gerhard, Please accept my offer for an additional $100 off of the 1.2.1 upgrade; we really appreciate your support!


Go Youtube! Will fix now.

Ahhh.. the prices i paid figuring out my RoGR.. Im glad i didnt fry any drives... yet... Glad you guys are saving us alot of headache by providing the completed system.. I never imagined how difficult it would be to build a CNC. What LL is providing is really worth every penny! Its a whole big mess trying to source connectors, wiring, nuts and bolts, and then figuring out how to put it together. The electronics especially.. I had a basic knowledge.. and didnt have the first clue how to correctly wire up capacitors, estops, load dump or bleeder resistors.. I had to spend days learning.. and fried a few relays.. those types things run on magic smoke.. and once you let it out, it'll never work again! aaahhhh!

hopefully RoGR will be next...

Hey, I never got an email. And how exactly does this apply to current orders of 1.2? I've been sending money for upgrades every time they've come up and it's been so long that I have no idea what's going on anymore. :/

Wasn't meant that way! The pictured plugs are one of few I actually like.. use them in one of my devices.. if it wasn't for the fact they are way too big for most of my projects I would be finding more use for them. I'm not a fan of screw terminals either.. I'm in total agreeance with your thoughts in general about completing the electronics yourself but as an electronics engineer I'm focused on paying for precision mechanics.. v1.0 or v1.1 or whatever the hell it is I'm getting will do me... I may well still be as likely to blow stuff up as the next guy anyway.. but I'll convince myself one way or another that it was valuable learning for my profession

Hey Nick, yep "magic smoke" cost a lot of bones too! Appreciate the support!


Hi Leo, We're ignoring you.

J/K. As usual, we're running behind! Tomorrow night is the new target for the email. You can send me money anyway if you want to!

Ha ha. Very funny.

What about the previous assembly upgrade? Is that factored in? Just clarifying. Most of my money is inevitably your money. The rest goes to FedEx.

Leo, despite what you have paid, I will happily assemble your robot! Let's (both) ask Kellie to look at your orders (support@lumenlab.com) and we'll go from there. Somehow, I'm sure you'll get a great deal.

Thank you Grayson!

Both the hardware and software upgrades you guys have in this version is something I just cannot pass by...

Our budget for the MicRO has just been increased I've placed the upgrade order!


Cheers,



Gerhard

Great. You will love it!

I've loved it ever since I first saw it on 23-October 2008! The love just deepens!!

Cheers,
Gerhard

One of the various refinements I have sought for micRo v1.2 is a suitable case which would make the micRo highly portable. (To hell with LAN parties let's make something..)

So, how does the best-dressed robot-wielding gent go about his duties in style and comfort? Custom fitted, aluminum, locking, "attache cases"....naturally old chap!

And the case is included in the regular retail price of v1.2

Here's a smaller, non-fitted example for show and tell:

Click to view attachment

PS, the email promotion is ready, but delivery is cancelled until Sunday night. It will DEFINITELY go out by 6am Monday morning, so be sure you are signed up to the email list! ONLY the list gets the discount: the store will sell them at $1799! This is our way of trying to keep production realistic.

(Oh, and I hope it goes without saying that we aren't filthy spammers..)

Holy crap, Brain. I'm going to have to CNC in my tux while holding mixed beverages.

Hello from your Peru Fan Club!

I'm worried now..... Won't that case call for attention on international shipping? They might think it's a bomb... then one would have to explain that they are wrong and it's meant to make one look da way...


cheers,

Gerhard

Shaken, not stirred, presumably.

Hi Khanate!


We thought of that; just hit the smoke screen button, then fire the rockets.

Ok, wow. Just seen this development.

Shame I just bought a really neat touchscreen ITX PC to drive the micRo!

So, with that in mind, should I go for the full upgrade to 1.2.1? The Ž£ has bounced right back against the $... Ah hell, it's another bit of money well spent.

I've got the Gold + Assembly paid already, so what's the upgrade cost? $399 = Ž£248.03 and that's do-able. Heck, for a mini-mill in a carry case? It's a bargain! Or is it $499? Or some other odd sum? (Don't forget that the shipping to the UK might be more, too!)

Let me know and I'll get it sent.

Howdy soapy, I'll only get myself in trouble trying to answer your questions; you'd better write the boss-lady (Kellie):

support@lumenlab.com

Ok, email sent!

I never seem to get any emails BC sends out... Upgrade offers, which group I am in...
(I did email Kim to get my group, so I know where I stand there).

Am I in some sort of black hole for your mailings BC?

Hi Greg, I mentioned that we postponed the email until tonight...if tomorrow you don't have it let me know!

I got two copies, and a personal reply.

I've just paid the extra. :-D

Shaken or blended. Brain, let me introduce you to the pisco sour, one of mankind's greatest inventions. Come on down to Lima and I'll buy you one. Are you free on Thursday?

Khanate. James Khanate.

Sigh, I need a vacation..

GET BACK TO WORK . . . RIGHT . . . NOW!!!

So now somebody has their micRo up and running on the web. To the naysayers lo these many months: We break wind in your general direction (poorly imitated French accent assumed).

Business: There have been a number of side issues with micRo along the way, like laser diodes, coolant systems, laying down coils of silicone glue, etc. Since LL has had the courage to offer a complete manufacturing system, how about some nice add-on accessory kits. Each of these would seem like something with a potential customer base. The coolant system seems like any easy initial offering. One could call them, say, Service Packs (just make sure that SP2 has a bunch of stuff we should have gotten to begin with, but still doesn't work, tradition you know).

Gee, I think that's our job! We have to come up with some killer apps and add-ons for the micRo, then let Brain and the gang, once they've got the hang of banging together micRos, productionise the system as an add-on.

Before that, Brain has to get a load of things finished and sent out, and then, *then* he gets a week off. After that, he can come back and productionise his and others ideas.

Breaking wind with you....

Yes, though I called them "modules". Valisk who won second place in the micRo logo contest made the graphic we're going to use for the "spindle module"; and I believe the "spindle module" will be the best selling accessory.



It is true; I can only "steal time" to actually use the thing!

Just popped over to the "LL Dream" store and realized I should have Read The Friendly Web Page before making suggestions. I found the mention of modules at the bottom of the micRo description: 3D and fabric printing, etc. etc. Christmas seems definitely impatient this year.

But I never stopped working?

Er, where's that then? Link me!