Black on Blue Silkscreen - Delay

T3P3Tony

Thank you for all the supportive comments on this thread, we really appreciate how understanding you guys are being. with comments from "it doesn't matter to "make it a collectors edition"

I have received the example boards and the black on blue silkscreen is basically unreadable in "normal" light. You can make it out with a good light or a camera flash:

We take the point that the silkscreen is not that important once the boards are installed, On the other hand we want to deliver something that is "just right". The majority of batch 1 and 2 purchasers have clearly not responded to this thread, so we will be in-contact by email and see what the view is, we are considering three options:

Black silkscreen boards for all.
White silkscreen boards for all - delay of 2-3 weeks tbc
Some black silkscreen boards for those who want them sooner, remainder get while silkscreen boards later.

For option 2 and 3 we have to continue the discussion with our suppliers so we will hear more on monday.

The more feedback we get the better, even if it's just "I don't mind either way".

Cheers

curieos

IMO those look pretty cool and I would love to have one, but I can't afford to buy another one, nor am I in the preorder.

RCarlyle

Maybe it's the camera, but the black silkscreen doesn't look all that clearly printed even ignoring the solder mask color.

I did use the silkscreen quite a bit when I installed mine, but I don't think my pre-order is affected in any case. Probably wouldn't be an issue for board #2 now that I've wired one up.

Love the blue/ENIG unfinished PCB look though, shame all that sexy gold gets covered in solder

bgkdavis

Black on blue would be a headache for Duet newbies, but I'll take one, this would be my 4th Duet and as long as we get a good clear print connection diagram I can see not problems

deckingman

White for me please. I have to wait for the TBA Duex 2,3,4,5, whatever in any case before I'll be able to commission my 3 extruder printer.

pjr3D

@T3P3Tony - I would be happy to take blue/black for my order (Order #107) - I need one yesterday for a current project but the other could wait . I do need the addons ASAP though.

Shame about the PCB issue though, trust all will be resolved soon.

Hey_Allen

I'm another of the don't really care which camp.
Clearly visible labels are useful, but if it causes a significant delay or painful expense increase, it's not a deal breaker for me.

I'm order 178 in the 3rd wave, but if these happen to be available early due to the colors…

Thanks either way,
Josh

T3P3Tony

I have split the discussion about jimborr's 0.8.5 out to a different topic:
https://www.duet3d.com/forum/thread.php?pid=887

Great_Thark

Order 248. Black on blue would be fine with me if it stops delays, even better if it moves me up the queue

Jimborr

So it's in this thread

Can take blue/black too for #257.

kingfisher

Happy to take a Black/Blue if that helps (Its the colour scheme of my latest printer!)

I'm Order ID: 193 [Wave 3]

I'm a Duet newbie, but I've put a couple of arduino/RAMPS printers together so I'm comfortable that I'll be able to follow the diagram to wire it up

However If you decide to wait for the new white boards I'll be happy to sit in the current queue

ronnien59

#62, I am a duet newbie, however I would accept a black on blue board. If you decide to wait for the black on white i would wait as well.

neilfrazerlx

I'd prefer White on Blue but would be Ok with Black on Blue. Maybe you could label the sockets with stickers as well as a diagram?
#191

karlos

I'll take Black on Blue. I schedule 2 weeks to work on this #52

noen

Order #130 here, would be happy to take one of the Black on Blue boards.

wardjr

Order #68 I chose to be in Batch 3 for exactly this reason. That being said I would have no issues with a Black on Blue board and am in full support of you turning this into an opportunity to utilize a discount from the supplier.

T3P3Tony

A further update, and its not good news I am afraid. We have received confirmation from the PCB manufacturers that they used their "standard" specification (other than the blue resist) instead of what we asked for. That means they used 35um(1Oz) copper on the top and bottom layer rather than 70um(2Oz) copper as we require. This means the heat dissipation of these board will not be up to standard and therefore we are not going to make any black on blue silkscreen boards.

We have placed an order with our preferred PCB manufacturers (different company) who are doing their best to expedite the order however it highly unlikely we will be shipping boards before the 23rd of August - a three week delay for batch 1 and a 1 week delay for batch 2.

I know this will be disappointing, especially to people who are waiting for the board to arrive so they can continue with their printer builds. We are really sorry, and very much appreciate all your support, we have had nothing but positive responses from people saying they will take black on blue boards or are happy to wait.

Zesty_Lykle

Hi Tony,

I really appreciate the level of detail you are going for here.
Both in analysis as in communication. It is much appreciated.

Good thing you caught the difference in copper layer, we will get a much better quality board because of it.

Even if I had a choice, I am happy to wait. I won't be at home for most of the time anyway. Nice to see that my holiday is serving a useful function, other than relaxation.

bot

No worries about the delay. This kind of transparency is amazing, and helpful. We can giver you feedback, and you give us info, and then we all are happy (or at least informed.)

Glad you discovered the improper specs early, though. Look at the bright side, everyone! No fricked up boards.

Dougal1957

Totally agree better to find out know before they get populated trust they are compensating you Tony?