No Carbon Fiber?!?! What the deuce?!
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Oh, John...
I remember there were a few early comments on Kickstarter from people who just wanted complete black.
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I remember there were a few early comments on Kickstarter from people who just wanted complete black.
Yeah, it's compromise but it's a good compromise.
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> Backers that ordered black fiber & black inlay cover will have the choice to replace the black fiber inlay cover with black, white or transparent.
I originally tried to order a black ring with 2 black inlays but it wasn't possible on the order form. I asked and was told:
> We don't offer the same colours for both the top and bottom of the rings as it would make it difficult to see which side is your private information (palm facing) vs the public side.
So now I can get the ring I wanted?
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Yep, that'll be possible now mate. I'm liking the idea myself, I think it'll look well stealthy.
Just remember that it'll be a touch difficult to pick public/private sides if your ring moves on your finger much. -
When I think about it. That is one of the qualities clear coat is good for. When poured over a surface that has a small porosity or imperfections like scratches, it can fill them and make the surface look smooth. With a thinner carbon fiber weave, and being dark colored, the clear coat can fill the pores and make them look invisible, and also the weave itself. so this is understandable when stepping back. At least i think this makes sense. I was wondering that instead of just the clearcoat, or in it's stead, a solid, yet thin transparent layer can be put on first, then the clear coat over and keep the gaps at the edge to a tolerance that would not allow seepage onto the carbon fiber? I guess basically making a demarcation of some kind to keep the carbon fiber topography intact? Umm, yo. (<-For street cred)-Justin Walterich :idea:
PS :idea: Or a larger molecule clear coat/adhesive? Or a recessed metal edge and relief clear cover so that adhesive/clear coat only contacts between metal and cover?
ePS: I think a lot and very fast in my head. -
Oh, yeah... another thing, maybe. ;)
:idea: What about a carbon fiber that has contrast that accentuates the topograghy? I have seen some whose weave is different or has contrasting fibers like the weave with copper. I had some pics, just not handy. -
I think the extra layer would be difficult in that the ring would have to be thicker again to accommodate the additional material.
It is an interesting thing though, what this particular glue is doing to this particular carbon fibre.
No matter what ends up being decided on to solve it I suspect it's going to be a nerve-wracking process for John and the team.
With the contrasting weave, it'll have to be non-metallic in order to not interfere with the NFC inlay.If you find some pics, chuck 'em up on here - it'd be interesting to see.
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I was thinking that it would be, but I didn't know by how much. I saw someone mention a 3M clear coat vinyl laminate adhesive 2mil.
Composite Envisions had some great picks of CF fabric and also epoxies and resins specific to clear coat CF fabric. I see when you mention how metal fibers can affect transmission of the NFC chip.
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The image was just way too big.. link is.. http://compositeenvisions.com/images/reflections-carbon-fiber-2x2-twill-copper-3.jpg
And I'm sure the expense would be even more of a headache. But and interesting concept using the tags from the collectors kit and ring blanks to customize and test along with the special resin. if you hit up the site, the fabric they have is incredible. -
I've been lucky enough to experience one of the old CF alphas, the one with the loose see-through weave, and it is the most difficult and fussy thing to get to read on a phone. It really does not like them. That inlay also doesn't function on some of the other reader units I've tried it with, it's a lot to do with the thickness of the CF inlay and I guess the deadening effect that the CF has on the NFC inlay.
If that carbon fiber was still available I could see it being sold as perhaps a more 'security conscious' thing, because it really does cut down on the readability of the ring. But it does also lessen the usability of the ring which is a big thing, there'd be all sorts of complaints and upsets that it doesn't function on this phone or that, or is unreadable/unprogrammable with other units.
I have a sneaking suspicion that an additional clear layer would have a similar effect.
But, that'll be what John is working on now. I have no doubt that he'll either sort it or go crazy trying.Good grief... the coloured kevlar and the holographic carbon fiber are pretty spectacular. That copper twill that you linked to is nice too.
Things are certainly a far cry from what I assumed they would be after my encounter with carbon fiber in the 90s. -
Good grief... the coloured kevlar and the holographic carbon fiber are pretty spectacular. That copper twill that you linked to is nice too.
I know! Just looking at them makes me think of things I'd like to do with it! :D -
Haha, exactly where I was heading with it. I immediately started thinking of things I would like to 3D print and then reinforce with carbon fiber and epoxy.
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Okay so I had an alpha with a transparent/black carbon fiber...can someone please elaborate as to what I'll be getting?
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Suspect that one will be a change to Transparent/Black. Black/Black CF are changing to Black/Transparent so you should end up the same as the majority of us.
- Backers that ordered black fiber and any other inlay cover color excluding black will have their black fiber inlay cover automatically changed to black.
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@RevInstant "@Lokki is correct" -- J
Your order will change from BF-T to B-T
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@Lokki & @Logan Just FYI WRT alternative materials we only have ~200 microns depth we can play with. Our last material was ~160 microns.
I'm hoping I can apply ~35 microns of a dust cost of lacquer over 5 coats or so then key that when the clear coat is applied. That's my plan right now & I'm waiting on parts to run tests up here.. Even if I can do that I will have to basically get a sheet of our material, wrap it around a pole/tube (to create the right size curve) then spray it and let it go hard.. I will have to do that for every size ring then ship the "lacquered tubes" out to China and hope they aren't crushed/distorted.. Alternatively I teach China how to do it.. Also gonna have a problem when it comes to China trimming them as if I lacquer an entire tube the lacquer will crack when they cut so I might have to create each inlay individually then ship out, that would be a horrible way of doing it so let's hope the lacquer doesn't crack when it's flexed, that way I can do really long strips all the factory does is a single cut to size..
Very happy to investigate other alternative materials, just thought I'd give you heads up on depth constraints and the process I'm considering..
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Ah, thanks for that John, I figured that with the depth constraints you guys would have considered all possible alternatives already... I'm just marvelling at the colour choices available in common or garden variety carbon fiber these days. ;-)
I'm... in awe...
That is going to be such a pain for you to have to do.
Here's hoping it remains relatively flexible once it's coated. -
Hi John, its Orlando Brown here....
WOW! :o ... what can I say this is obviously very disappointing for you and us, but seriously where do you draw the line? ... correct me if I am wrong, but haven't most of the problems or setbacks been due to some arbitrary changes to materials/other etc?
Isn't this akin to the last time? .. Last year December 8th I recall you was meant to meet me after the guys who messed up the last time by making a change without consulting you... I don't know what wheels need to be greased to get this deeper problem resolved but I know if this was another company e.g. Apple this wouldn't be an issue...You wont be shown one material, led to believe this is what your going to get, then they try to take you for a "mug" with something different...
I dunno mate, but its not on!... and in regards to the cheap knock offs, I pray this does not become an issue for you because this is what I think its down too.
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John,
You've been a pretty stand up guy and have owned up to the delays and even gone above and beyond. Working with China is tough especially if you aren't there to watch every little step as they will always try to change things to be cheaper and faster.
That being said I signed up for three rings all with black carbon inlays. Now I understand you will be giving vouchers for the carbon ring when they come out, however I'm wondering if it would be for all three rings since that is what I originally ordered or if its just for one.
I'm more than happy receiving one ring first without carbon fiber and getting a voucher for the carbon one. Then receiving the other two once the carbon fiber rings are ready.
Cheers keep up the good job.
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I just wanted to thank you guys for putting on an awesome Kickstarter. Almost all of them have as many if not more issues than we have seen with the NFC Ring. However, very few I have been a part of can compare to the communication NFC Ring has had with the backers. Even less have delivered at least something so quickly.
Keep up the awesome work!
