What's going on at Torchmate, 6/11/10

[Torchmate]

Well, we are keeping busy. Below are some shots of the fab shop. Lots of Torchmate X tables coming and going. I am pretty sure we are burying our powder coater. We are trying to clear out some room for two BIG tables we have to start construction on in the next week or two. One will be 10'x40' and the other will be 12'x40'. Both will weigh in excess of 20,000lbs, so they tend to not get moved around much once we get going. It takes some logistical planning. Imagine 8-10 of the machines shown in the pictures put together. Shipbuilders don't mess around when they need to cut plate.

[Torchmate]

The relatively new Torchmate 2x2 machines are flying out of here. We have ramped up production and are even getting a better grip on shipping after pushing a few hundred out the door. Finally, we have a prototype of a box/foam setup that should save everyone money on shipping these things. We are private labelling a version of it now and have a couple more distributors in the works. I have been doing my best to hold the price down, but soon we will have to raise it to accomodate the distributors.

[Torchmate]

One of our engineers cut a bracket for a 2x2 customer that needs more z axis travel. This was cut on a 5x10 Torchmate X with a Thermal Dynamics Ultra-Cut 300 out of 3/8" plate. I didn't catch him before he put a reamer the holes, so they have been touched. Not bad for holes that are the same thickness as the plate. It is standing there by itself on the edge, I just couldn't really get a good shot of the edge quality from any further away. I shake too much. We have also been working on a dust collector for the routing attachment.

[Torchmate]

We have started offering Steel Framed Torchmate 2's and Torchmate 3's. Below is a shot of one of them being tested and tuned. It is being picked up today by the customer. Our latest electronics package and gearbox combination achieves speeds well over 1000ipm even with stepper motors and high resolution. Shipping is more than an extruded aluminum table, but it will hold far more weight. We also added forklift spots to make it a little easier to move the table around the shop. Mostly for us because once a customer has it in place it usually stay there. I took some video of it running around at around 1300ipm. I will try to get it posted up soon.

[Torchmate]

Here are some other random shots. Some of the trophies we have been making for various events. Finally we started making an extra each time so that we can show them off. Of course, we always come in 1st on our's.

There is a shot of the rock crawler. I spotted for Shannon in a Calrocs event last weekend. Of course I rolled her over on our first course. I was way more nervous spotting than I ever have been driving. She did great. We ended up tied for 6th. That was her best finish of the year so far. The car took a beating, but Jake cut out the bent tubes and replaced them. Her next event is the WE Rock western series 3rd event of the year up in Donner, CA. It is always nice to compete close to home.

Final picture is my father-in-law and Cameron cutting up wood for more 2x2 crates. Hopefully we can quit being carpenters soon now that we found a better solution.

[Torchmate]

The big truck and trailer will be out at OctaneFest this weekend in Fallon. I couldn't line up any of our sales people to be there, so it will just be there showing support for Ty and all that he has done to make that event such a huge success. Tonight I have to jump the Torchmate Class 7 truck at the Grand Sierra Resort for a Press Conference from 5pm-8pm, so come check that out if you are in town. I am looking forward to that.

Next week we will be hosting tech at our facility on Friday from 3-7pm for the WE Rock Donner event. We will be giving tours and Carolina Kitchen (a local BBQ place) will be on site with food. We will also have the big truck and trailer along with multiple machines set up and running at The Grand Sierra Resort all next weekend for the Desert Outlaw event. Then I am going on vacation! The last month and a half has been crazy busy for us. It will be nice to get away for a bit. My wife is afraid I am going to have a heart attack.

[waynehartwig]

Originally Posted by Torchmate

The relatively new Torchmate 2x2 machines are flying out of here. We have ramped up production and are even getting a better grip on shipping after pushing a few hundred out the door. Finally, we have a prototype of a box/foam setup that should save everyone money on shipping these things. We are private labelling a version of it now and have a couple more distributors in the works. I have been doing my best to hold the price down, but soon we will have to raise it to accomodate the distributors.

More info on the box/foam setup, please

[ehsankiani]

The new packing sounds good. I just wish you guys had an outlet here in Pakistan where I could have bought one 2'x2' from. A lovely machine to have around the shop.
Ehsan

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Any idea what the cost reduction in shipping will be for the purchaser?

[Torchmate]

Originally Posted by Arya Ebrahimi

Any idea what the cost reduction in shipping will be for the purchaser?

We are still a little ways out on the cardboard/foam package. We have the test unit which will get shipped back and forth across country via UPS to see how it holds up. It will consist of two 50-75lb packages instead of one 150lb crate. UPS shipping is about half of what the freight bills are coming out to be, but they are hard on packaging. This will be our second attempt to ship via UPS. Once we get it finalized, then we have to have them made in bulk. I don't know how long that will take. It is all a process.

[BLKBOB]

Bill any more info on some accessories you will be offering for the 2x2. I know you have spoke of this in the past. Also wanted to give you a heads up I'll be in touch soon for a few things I'll PM you.

Gord

[Torchmate]

Originally Posted by BLKBOB

Bill any more info on some accessories you will be offering for the 2x2. I know you have spoke of this in the past. Also wanted to give you a heads up I'll be in touch soon for a few things I'll PM you.

Gord

Hi Gord!

We have a couple of support tables in the works. A water table and an open bottom version for the 2x2. Both are the same footprint as the machine itself. The open bottom version will go for $495 and the water table version will go for $795. We also have a dust collection system planned for the routing attachment, but it is not done yet. Those are the only accessories I can really share at this point.

Bill

[BLKBOB]

Cool thanks for the info Bill. I will be in touch soon.

Gord

[waynehartwig]

Originally Posted by Torchmate

We are still a little ways out on the cardboard/foam package. We have the test unit which will get shipped back and forth across country via UPS to see how it holds up. It will consist of two 50-75lb packages instead of one 150lb crate. UPS shipping is about half of what the freight bills are coming out to be, but they are hard on packaging. This will be our second attempt to ship via UPS. Once we get it finalized, then we have to have them made in bulk. I don't know how long that will take. It is all a process.

What kind of numbers are you talking about for each package - ie the packaging, not the shipping I like how that looks, and think it might work out better for my product than the foam bags (instapack) that I currently use.