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Latest Update... 9th May 2012 Good News & Bad News........ the light at the end of the tunnel, is / was a bloody train not daylight. Further to my latest exchange of phone calls, I made a visit to
CEANDESS this morning and had meeting with
Chris Smallman. (Quality Control).
Good News..[
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The Fuel Filler Cap castings have been cast and are in process of being polished in readiness for chrome plating... I took a picture of a couple of rough / raw cast units and three which had been tested for chrome plating, ( note, these units were only lightly polished and not pre drilled, but just tested for chroming) Picture from my Black berry to follow.
The Bad News..[
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The Lad..[?] Tasked with linishing the key hole shaped latches, Ruined not one but every bloody one, ( Consistant or what !! ).
So a complete new batch have to be made, copy of letter and explanation from
Chris Smallman ( CEANDESS ):- as below:-
Good morning Keith, Following your recent visit, here is a status update on the AC caps.
Please take a look at the attached latch photographs. As you can see they are certainly not up to standard and have now caused yet another delay. I have spoken to the casting company regarding this.
Apparently, what can only be referred to as damage, has been caused during the linishing operation. Following the casting of the parts a certain amount of flash would have been present. This would have then been Linished off on a belt sander type machine. It would appear that the job has been giving to an over enthusiastic employee who has just Linished them too much. Most notable issues are as follows-
• Large indentations from linishing on top face.
• Flats on the ‘thumb diameter’ from linishing.
• Several with flash/slag (?) inside the hook part of the latch.
• Linished out of square.
• Excessive linishing on the top face leaving a feather edge around the ‘thumb diameter’
The casters are very embarrassed and apologetic with regards to this and have come up with a high quality but time consuming method to produce the latches. Usually casting boxes are packed with a ratio of reclaimed casting sand to new sand. Using new sand alone is very difficult but they have a man who is very skilled in this art who will work continually on this batch until the full quantity is produced. Unfortunately he can only produce approx 60off latches per week! So we could be looking at 3 week production on these.
The cap castings have been received and are in a suitable state to begin the production run (drilling prior to polishing). These should be completed tomorrow ready for sending for polishing.
I can only apologies for these continued delays resulting in this long drawn out saga. I hope you can bear with us.
Personally I cannot wait to have the completed batch ready for despatch so I can return to a full night’s sleep!
Best Regards
Chris Smallman
Quality Engineer
Likewise..... I too wish to get a proper nights sleep, What started as a goodwill gesture in helping two Club Members in USA, snowballed and has now become a Avalanche!!
Seriously, Gerry & I would like to thank all who are patiently waiting and request they please hold on for a few more weeks, We will get the quality finished product and Chris, Gerry & I get a good nights sleep.
Keep you all posted , In the meantime I will get a few photos on line to complement this latest posting.
Cheers for Now
Keith..[
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