Bittele has let us down again and in turn I feel like I have let you the customer down. The 200 drivers we received from Bittele were thoroughly tested and were found to be 1oz boards again. We waited a long time for them to rectify their first mistake and have the components moved from the old 1oz boards to new 2oz boards but again we received 1oz boards.
How we tested this:
- 1oz copper drivers can only provide about 2.5A or 4W of optical laser power and those are the exact values we found when testing these new drivers
- Next we took samples from 2oz copper boards, 1oz copper boards and the boards we just received under a magnifying tool and we found they match the copper from the 1oz copper. (Top – 1oz copper, middle – boards we received, bottom – 2oz copper)
- Next we did a 4 point measurement test to get a more solid comparison with the 2oz copper boards, 1oz copper boards and the boards we just received. These measurements so the clear difference in a 2oz copper driver and the ones we just received.
- Our last test was to guarantee the issues we saw came from the copper and not any components, so we took a 2oz pcb and we swapped all electronic components from the boards we received to the 2oz pcb and this driver worked perfectly. This showed us that the parts were fine and it is 100% a 1oz copper pcb
What are we doing about it?
As you know, we decided to order drivers from Makerfabs just in case anything like this happened. We did, they have shipped 200 drivers and they are currently going through customs clearance in a local sorting facility. We have provided POA this morning and have our invoices ready to be provided as soon as they are requested from us. The estimated delivery date in June 1st but DHL has a tendency to drag customs clearance, so I will be on the phone with them multiple times a day until we get it cleared.
We will go through the same testing process above to make sure they are true 2oz copper driver pcbs and we will ship as soon as they pass testing. Andy pointed out that as soon as those Bittele drivers failed their first test I should have taken a day to update you all, I will make it a point to delivery even the worse news in a more timely manner. We are in the same situation here as I am not happy until you have received your LaserBeam orders and I will not stop working until I get it done.