N-Possible Coupler Announcement (Nashville 2022)

[ednadolski]

Sorry guys, does it work now?

Yes, but if you are really just running the video backwards, please don't ever tell me   

Seriously tho, those look fantastic!

Ed

[GaryHinshaw]

^LOL Ed.

SO… much as I want these couplers, it appears that something is out there keeping new coupler designs off the market.

(Or am I being too much of a conspiracy theorist??)
Jim

I hear you.  I would say closer to pessimist/realist than conspiracist.  N scale couplers are hard, but I have held these in my hands and have worked through a number of scenarios now, and I am convinced that Andrew has a winning design that will attract enough converts to make them commercially viable.  There have been challenges along the way associated with sourcing some of the components (such as the stamped metal insert that is intended for body-mount retro-fits), but I am convinced that there are no conceptual challenges at this point.  My understanding is that gearing up for production and packaging at scale (without driving Andrew personally crazy) is the main issue at the moment.   He has too much invested in the product at this point to leave it on the cutting room floor.

[Jimbo]

My understanding is that gearing up for production and packaging at scale (without driving Andrew personally crazy) is the main issue at the moment.

Yep.  As you (and Andrew) have stated… couplers (meaning designs) are hard.  BUT… I work in manufacturing.  Guess what?  Manufacturing is ALSO hard.

I’m really rooting for his success; hoping he chimes in here.  @turbowhiz - silence is NOT golden.

Jim

[turbowhiz]

This is a side hustle for me so my time is super stretched. Maybe it will turn into my main hustle in due course, but for now it is what it is.

I knew immediately from the very first split spring coupler I tested a little over 3 years ago that it was a game changing design. It’s been a real journey to get this far, so there is no way I’m not getting this done at this stage.

Supplier sourced coupler parts are all in hand now in quality and quantity matching my original PO’s; As Gary mentioned, the adapter shims in particular proved to be a real problem, but between some design improvements in terms of manufacturability and ultimate performance (win win!) and my supplier sticking with it despite their own challenges I finally received those parts in quantity late November. They are counting on this venture being successful too, because given the pain on their end they couldn’t have come close to breaking even on the initial run. Despite the challenges, they really worked with me and came through in the end. I also have my springs in hand. I have a significant amount of money just tied up in a crap ton of extremely tiny metal parts, and tooling for said parts.

I'm trying to set myself up for success rather than just rushing product out the door and it's just taking a whole lot more time (and money!) than I'd thought it would. But I know my customers are going to expect a reliable supply of quality couplers, and therefore I need to take additional steps to make sure I can ensure I can provide that day 1.

In that vein, I've invested substantially in some tooling for packaging before launch (the original plan was just to manually package initially), so I can I have a better chance to keep up with demand. That tooling should be in hand mid-Feb. In the meantime, I'm optimizing my own production and the myriads of other things I need to get in order.

My own proof-of-concept manufacturing process worked very well, but scaling to production quantities has been more work than I counted on too. No showstopping problems, but between some self-inflicted dead end side quests and just general scaling pains it’s taken more time then I expected.

I get everyone is super excited and wants couplers NOW. I want to sell couplers now too! However, its uncanny that at every roadblock something not initially apparent has presented itself as a better option.

Its most certainly happening... I’m not estimating dates anymore as it seems to jinx things, I’ve never got it right. I’ll just say it’s never been closer. Truly the adage of how to make any money in the MRR world is not at all incorrect. I’m crossing my fingers that there is a market for superior couplers!

I’m not going to make an appearance at Springfield this year unfortunately. Quite simply, time is precious, and I want to put my time into getting these into people’s hands rather than promoting a product that’s not yet shipping.

Andrew

[Ike the BN Freak]

Not sure if I missed it, or saw it and forgot it, but will the production versions be injection molded or 3D prints?

[Jimbo]

Not sure if I missed it, or saw it and forgot it, but will the production versions be injection molded or 3D prints?

I understand from earlier posts that the geometry of the coupler doesn’t lend itself well to traditional, injection-molded manufacturing processes.  Therefore, I believe these are 3D printed.

Jim

[dem34]

I have full confidence. Between Bethlehem and Altoona I've starred at these things in operations enough on a good variety of equipment and never once saw a failure.

[ednadolski]

Fantastic news!   @turbowhiz I think you are doing all the right things, don't sweat the timing --- we N scalers will still be here

Ed

[GaryHinshaw]

They are definitely 3-d printed at the moment and, as Jim states, Andrew reported upstream that they were difficult to injection mold.  That said, the 3-d printing is unbelievably fine and the parts themselves are surprisingly rugged.

[Jimbo]

I'm trying to set myself up for success rather than just rushing product out the door and it's just taking a whole lot more time (and money!) than I'd thought it would. But I know my customers are going to expect a reliable supply of quality couplers, and therefore I need to take additional steps to make sure I can ensure I can provide that day 1.

Excellent!  But make sure you go the next step and start working back-up plans should you have an issue with a key supplier in the future.  (Looking at you, Shapeways!)

I get everyone is super excited and wants couplers NOW. I want to sell couplers now too! However, its uncanny that at every roadblock something not initially apparent has presented itself as a better option.

Better from performance standpoint or economic standpoint?     (Price will matter!)

I’m not going to make an appearance at Springfield this year unfortunately. Quite simply, time is precious, and I want to put my time into getting these into people’s hands rather than promoting a product that’s not yet shipping.

I presume you mean Amherst?  Regardless, it’s the right decision!  Get some into some key modelers’ hands so people can see them “in the wild” - THEN blow ‘em away at a show!

Thanks for the update!!  May I suggest that you please post here every couple weeks, even if there isn’t anything new to report?  It will assure us all that this project is still moving along.  As I said earlier, silence is NOT golden!

Jim
(a future customer!)

[garethashenden]

I presume you mean Amherst? 

The Amherst show is in Springfield, just to keep you on your toes.

Its the Amherst Railway Society's show, but its held at an exhibition venue in Springfield. I think most people interchange the two names for the show.

[Jimbo]

The Amherst show is in Springfield, just to keep you on your toes.

Its the Amherst Railway Society's show, but its held at an exhibition venue in Springfield. I think most people interchange the two names for the show.

Thank you!

[peteski]

The Amherst show is in Springfield, just to keep you on your toes.

Its the Amherst Railway Society's show, but its held at an exhibition venue in Springfield. I think most people interchange the two names for the show.

Actually the venue (Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds aka "Big-E") is located in West Springfield, to further the confusion.  Also, the official name of the event is actually "Railroad Hobby Show" sponsored by Amherst Railway Society.  Amherst also just happens to be a name of a nearby town.

That's why there is so much confusion.  It would make sense to settle on a single name, but "Railroad Hobby Show" is IMO too generic of a name.  "West Springfield Show" would be more accurate but cumbersome. "Springfield Show" seems like a simple and more descriptive name (most people can relat to if they are familiar with The Simpsons, but it is a different Springfield).     And "Amherst Show" is not very accurate, but Amherst also seems unique enough to be used for referencing the Railroad Hobby Show.

Phew!

[Brian M]

Along with everyone else on this board, I've been watching this thread with much interest, and especially appreciate the very informative posts that Andrew has been kind enough to write in order to provide updates.  Coupled with (pun intended) Gary's most recent encouraging words and video of the how well these things perform, it is certainly understandable how the interest/hope/expectations are all sky high.

However, I've also now read enough un-constructive posts that I have to speak up.  Asking Andrew (who has said multiple times that this is NOT his main job) to post regular updates, even when there's nothing new to report, or expecting him to inform us of every little decision, is going beyond reasonable.  Add in the various posts from folks getting worried that this project might not happen just because Andrew hasn't posted anything in a couple of months, and it makes it sound like your life will be seriously impacted should this product not make the light of day.

So here's a gentle reminder, this is a hobby.  People that get into the business side of it are almost always fellow hobbyists, meaning they probably don't do this full time, and they don't get paid to provide updates.  Thus, they don't owe us anything until we hand over money in exchange for a product.  In short, give the guy a break.  It's hard enough to design, patent, and set up production for a completely new product without also having to manage the unrealistic expectations placed on you from people that haven't invested in your business.

I will step off my soap box now and go back to enjoying running my trains, looking forward to the day where they might not slinky along the track.  But also, not lose my mind if that day should never come.

-Brian.

[GaryHinshaw]

I am reminded of a quote attributed to Oscar Wilde: "There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about."