Getting Ready for the Future!!
almost 7 years ago
– Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 12:41:49 AM
Hi Guys,
Pheww... The long wait is because of this connector... We just receive sample from manufacturer, below is the 24pin Spring Connector which consists of tiny spring mechanism on each pin, this is the smallest 24pin spring connector available on the planet :)
and the N52 magnet will be in durable glossy black-coating to match the all black cable. We will post more update as soon as we receive from the manufacturer.
PS: Thunderbolt Ready Connector (Below Picture)
Baaadd… Gooooddd News
about 7 years ago
– Thu, Dec 14, 2017 at 01:14:15 AM
Hi Guys,
First of all, we would like to apologies for the delay. Time flies, about 9 month since March ago we receive funding from KS and we move forward with further development of MACNETO design and functionality due to many feedback from our backers to make a better MACNETO.
As you know as we announced on the previous update we will proceed with USB 3.1 Gen 2 and we are totally aware the complexity of USB 3.1 Gen2 compare with USB 3.1 Gen1. (Example: USB 3.1 Gen2 is almost a Thunderbolt but not yet a Thunderbolt.)
Now, why we decide to proceed with USB 3.1 Gen2…
Challenge 1: Full feature USB 3.1 Gen2 required 24-pin connection between devices, as most similar product in current market is only 5pin which limit to USB 2.0 feature using Pogo pin with easily purchase a ready made parts to assemble as a contact terminal. There is a challenge with pogo pin due to the size in diameter limitation, even the smallest in diameter pogo pin in the market or customise smallest design pogo pin we unable to fit 24 pin on the terminal contact fixed 3mm x 8mm size surface.
Solved 1: We found a solution to fit a 24pin terminal on a 3mm x 8mm surface, by using a thin copper sheet cut in to spring like shape to achieve a spring mechanism, which the pin arrangement look like the reference below:
Challenge 2: Power Delivery & LED charging Indicator Microchip, The size of the internal circuit board / PCB determines the size of the external casing (how long in size is the casing body) as you know we try to limit the size of the external casing as short in length as possible that is why we try to remove the LED charging Indicator microchip entirely from the PCB so we can save some space on the PCB at least 5mm in length to make the external casing look better & balance in term of design perspective.
Solved 2: We contacted the Power Delivery Microchip manufacture Cypress Semiconductor Corporation and below is what they reply:
"We do not have such reference design. If the charging status you mentioned is indicate for current of VBUS, this need add additional current sensor circuit for this. If you need add this feature in the cable, I have to ask you contact local FAE to discuss this request, since the firmware source code of Type-C cable is not plan to open, so that the firmware have to customise it by Cypress Engineer if local FAE approved this project. If you have not been contacted Cypress FAE before, feel free to pick one of distributor from below link to contact."
They advice us to contact a local FAE approved distributor to re-code the firmware for the microchip, so we contacted Arrow Electronics to further discussion for a solution. After a few email they stop replaying & waited a week or so we send a reminder to ask them for update. somehow they either are too busy or any other reason for the delay of the solution to date, We are unable to determine the date for manufacturing/producing the external casing and the size of the PCB due to the microchip distributor response. That it! we decided not to wait for their reply and proceed with 5mm in length to be added in to the PCB for the Charging indication Microchip.
Another challenge is that we try to minimise the length of the PCB to fit all the require total of 28 pieces difference sizes component into a 17mm length of 6-layer PCB. We have done it! most compact full feature USB 3.1 Gen2 with LED Indicator Microchip PCB.
Challenge 3: Cable is the most crucial part of the entire technology, to achieve full feature USB 3.1 Gen2 we need a 18core 32AWG Coaxial cable. there are many cable manufacturer able to produce this cable but most of the cable casing is very stiff & not flexible. If the cable is too hard it will easily detached from the magnetic tip even unintentionally, we need softer & flexible cable to aid this issue.
Solved 3: We been exploring cable industry for weeks, finally we found a company that able to help us produce the THINNEST & MOST FLEXIBLE 18core 32AWG Coaxial cable. The cable flexibility is almost like the apple 4-core wires white cable but with 18-core wires within a 3.5mm in diameter. This is a breakthrough another revolutionary outcome and you be surprise how soft & flexible this revolutionary cable is. Due to achieving the flexibility we wanted, the cable is round in shape & no longer a flat cable. see below drawing for reference:
Look guys our hard work and your patient is not for nothing, all terminal contact of both side of the cable & the magnetic tips is now 24-pin and it is Thunderbolt ready in coming future cable upgrade. As for the 5-pin contact version that we have to put a side for further USB 2.0 version.
Production already in progress and confirmed with all our requirement. we will show you first produce sample mid or before end of January 2018 (That is what manufacturer told us). For final inspection and delivery hopefully before March 2018.
We promised, we will deliver.
Sincerely,
EWO Team
DELIVERY UPDATE
over 7 years ago
– Sat, Aug 26, 2017 at 12:10:07 AM
Hi Guys,
It’s really a challenging month for us, we do aware the delay of delivery date and just want to let our backers know that we are still here to delivery MACNETO as promised. Now we are writing this update to let you know the challenges and solution.
The PCB or the circuit board of USB 3.1 Gen 2 - Having USB-PD at both ends of the cable would be required for Type-C active cable design wherein additional electronics such was re-drivers is required to recondition the USB high-speed data signals. In active cable designs, each end of the cable can have a different active function.
Now the way the MACNETO’s PCB/circuit board is design by enabling a single one end design for both ends of the cable. The challenge arises when we added OTG feature on the PCB design, the OTG feature required an additional microchip set to able to control and convert one end of the device become a host to able communicate with another end of the device. When the OTG switch to activate the connection become unstable & sometimes unable to detect device the test done by 7 times out of 10 times connected.
Solution:
- Removal of OTG feature
- Re-manufacture PCB/circuit board design without OTG
Re-manufacturing PCB required reorder of the new component, currently, the lack of single component USB-PD chip that only has 1,900pcs in stock with the supplier, For Example, a single MACNETO cable required 2 chip for a single cable. We have placed an order of 10,000pcs, the supplier only able to produce 10,000pcs of USB-PD chip within 30-45days to deliver for our manufacturer for assembly.
Estimate Delivery: NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
- USB-PD chip ready - 30-45days
- PCB Re-manufacturing - 25-35days
- Cable Assembly & Packaging - 14days
NO REFUND:
PROS: You pay less for More feature (Price 50% increases when available on AMAZON)
CONS: We not able to proceed with any refund request, as most funds are for re-manufacturing of PCB & shipping.
Locking Mechanism
over 7 years ago
– Sat, Jul 15, 2017 at 09:20:29 PM
Hi Guys,
Here some update on our production:
Been a challenging past month, one of the challenges is adding the locking mechanism. We know and it will be one of the essential features that can make a detachable & interchangeable tip locked with MACNETO to turn to a normal permanent USB cable and we have redesigned the locking mechanism for easy slide lock & release on MACNETO, we have been tested out a few solution like a clip or hook that able to hold strong but NOT easy to unlock. Finally, we have selected the best option for the sliding locking mechanism with a spring metal plate simply slide up and down to lock & release the magnetic tip at ease.
Due to the enhancement of the circuit board (PCB) & locking mechanism on MACNETO that make it slightly longer in size & design, the manufacturer has to make a further adjustment on MACNETO shell casing mould & tooling. We will post some pictures as soon the manufacturer sends us for review.
We really appreciate to all our backers for your supporting us and we seek your understanding that we are doing our best to make all possible. It’s defiantly our fault for the delay because we have the desire to make a difference, we not just creating a cable but we are creating something for the future.
Best Regards,
EWO Team
MACNETO at full features
over 7 years ago
– Wed, May 24, 2017 at 11:10:05 PM
Hi Backers,
We are working hard on delivering MACNETO…
About a month ago an investor contacted us regarding MACNETO, he sees potential for the future and the market. After a third meeting we agreed in term to deliver MACNETO at its full potential, we do aware our delivery schedule & it’s hard to make a decision on something that we already promised.
As the business point of view, the management decided to manufacture MACNETO to 3.1 version for better good.
We believe MACNETO at it full feature version will be much useful to benefits the users.
Delay on manufacturing due to feature enhancement of MACNETO below:
- Locking mechanism for magnetic tips to both end cable
- Better & stronger magnetic connector design
- internal circuitry to support USB 3.1 Speed (Support 4K video & Macbook Charging)
- OTG enable (Transfer data & charge between devices)
All shipping will be dated to August 2017
We do understand the frustration of delay, for refund matters kindly email to [email protected]
Refunds by July 2017 (Once we receive 2nd funding from the investors)
Best Regards,
EWO Team
