Topics

106

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR Update: 11/13/14

« on: November 13, 2014, 06:08:12 PM »

UL is done! Now onto final parts that were held up waiting UL and final preps to get this dam thing on the line ... couple of weeks.
 
rick
 

107

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR at Dutch Pinball Open this weekend 11/1-11/2

« on: November 02, 2014, 12:24:35 PM »

We had arranged with Ministry of Pinball (Bert) to get an MMR pre-production unit to the Dutch Pinball Weekend, and after some harrowing shipping and customs hoops that we had to jump thru, MMR was at the DPO and played well! I guess someone forgot to tell them that it was already jumpered to 230volts, so it was ready to plug in in Europe!


We will post pictures and feedback as they come in.


rick

108

PPS Parts (incl Artwork) In Progress / Sorcerer Backglass - In the Queue

« on: October 29, 2014, 01:14:04 PM »

We also have Sorcerer backglass going in to the queue behind gorgar ... here is the first version of the artwork combined, still have to do some correcting as well as color adjustment ...
 
 

109

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR - Update 10/27/14

« on: October 28, 2014, 01:28:15 PM »

MMR Update Call - (Stern, CGC, PPS):
 
- Still waiting for UL - no major issues found, just seems like it goes until they are done. Apparently lots of testing with a 'new' pinball machine, so UL is testing. Continue short testing this week. Hopeful that testing ends this week. Frustrating, but I'm told there is no 'schedule' when doing UL testing.
 
- MMR is out on location as of last week - at Logan Arcade, in Chicago. Feedback 'amazed that you put such a nice MM in the place', 'only issue is the line to play the game', etc ...
 
- Finishing up all additional pre-production games that Stern is building to test the line.
 
Waiting ... Waiting ... Waiting ...for UL.
 

110

PPS Parts - Now Available! / Jackbot and Addams Family NOS Translites - Limited!

« on: October 28, 2014, 12:33:02 AM »

Limited supply now on the store ...
 
rick
 

111

PPS Parts (incl Artwork) In Progress / Black Rose Plastics

« on: October 26, 2014, 07:50:23 PM »

We are working on Black Rose plastics ... just starting so will see what is involved. We have an NOS set here to compare, etc.
 
rick
 

112

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR Update - 10/19 posted 10/23!

« on: October 23, 2014, 06:39:06 PM »

All, sorry for the late update, just recovering from Expo and doing all the other things I have to do ...
Not Too much new but will also give some notes about Expo as well:
- CGC (Chicago Gaming) had 3 MMR's there at the show - one of each trim color for people to see them next to each other and help them decide (yes, you can still 'adjust' your trim selection. These games were built from ALL new parts at Stern/CGC (I think two came from the Stern Line), and the other was built at CGC. These are games which are pre-production games, to help understand the build sequences, get familiar with parts, process, etc. So, these were 'true' MMR's!
- All three games played just great during the entire weekend. There are ZERO electronics system issues - in fact the dead man circuit (which is used as a timer to detect a hung board, or hung communications between boards) was disabled, and there were no system issues, no hung systems, no needs for resets, etc. These games were played for a couple of days before the show and had no issues. So, another good performance for the MMR electronics platform.
- One of the extension cords supplied to us that was plugged in was later found to have a broken ground plug (which was replaced later by the show people), but interesting to note that there were no ground issues or any other system issues, which again reinforce that the ground and the electronics look pretty solid!
- There were a few things pointed out as this is a great test situation as well for CGC: a) One of the LED's was behaving the same with the incandescent emulation - that was identified by someone (which it's very hard to see), and has been subsequently fixed (it's a software thing). b) There was another issue which was more for diagnostics that again was a quick software change and that has been fixed as well. c) LED's behind the translites can be adjusted up or down from the control panel which helps in different lighting situations, the translites we had there were a little dark when off and this is being adjusted with the translite supplier which has a short turnaround time to get the 'day/night' to be improved. d) The front of the cabinet on the first sample games were made and have a slight off center to them ( you can see the Start button relative to the shield) - this will be that way on the first pre-production games and will be addressed for production games), as it's just a slight repositioning of the front cabinet. The overall cabinet artwork is great! e) it was noticed that some of the display frame transitions were not totally the same as original and a couple of people used the word 'tearing', CGC is looking into this to see what they see, how much of an issue it is, and if so, what they can do to smooth it out.
- Leveler-gate: there was a conspiracy theory on the settings of the leg levelers at Expo, as the fronts were set pretty high. I communicated asking that to CGC and they stated that the guy setting them up 'liked them that way' and so they were setup that way. Joe Kace and I got down before the show started on Saturday to lower the fronts and get the slope more standard. So, that is about that, there was no conspiracy to hide the game as it played just fine on Saturday as well as before. The flipper strength (which is adjustable) did not need to be adjusted either, and all the ramp shots, etc seemed to be fine.
- As for the udpate on the game, All things continue, UL still finishing up. Appears that the high voltage lab testing part is done and then they need to short out everything they can short out and not sure if there is anything else. When done we get a letter allowing to go into production with the UL Approval notation, and then the final items are released, etc. Seems like the transformer is fine (short of having any issue in the short testing, which you would expect not as fuses are meant to protect the power supply). So, we continue to sit and wait for that.
- At least one game was scheduled to go on test somewhere in Chicago, so have not had a chance to check in with CGC on whether that happened or not, but expect that it has or will.
- Final prep for the game on the line at stern, we did tours with Stern of the MMR line. Parts are being received almost daily there, etc.
- Will update next week.
 

113

PPS Parts (incl Artwork) In Progress / Gorgar Backglass - original art

« on: October 22, 2014, 01:34:43 PM »

Next up Gorgar backglass ...
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114

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR Update - 10/13/14

« on: October 13, 2014, 12:35:42 PM »

Weekly MMR Call: Planetary Pinball, Chicago Gaming, Stern Pinball (various people)
 
- 3 Pre-Production games (playfields built at Stern last week and assembled into cabinets at Chicago Gaming) are done and testing fine for the Chicago Expo show.
 
- Parts continue to arrive at Stern for production start.
 
- Stern to build up to 5 pre-production games this week to test line, assembly, etc into full games at Stern.
 
- No major UL issues have turned up, they are finishing testing the High Voltage areas this week. If no issues then we wait for the 'letter' which permits us to go into production.
 
- Final preparations for moving to full production being completed (Stern line, CGC packaging, labelling, etc)
 
- Not much longer to wait!

115

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR Update - 10/6/14

« on: October 06, 2014, 03:05:27 PM »

MMR Update call today - Stern (Doug Duba, Gary Stern, Ray Tanzer, Dave Peterson, Michael O'Donnel, Rick)
- Still Waiting for UL - any of the issues identified thus far have been either addressed or suitable workarounds (which do not require at this point any parts changes, but more things like adding insulation on top of wire for High Voltage, etc. We are waiting for 'ok' on tranformer and transformer supplier has all parts in stock to build transformers quickly.
- Reviewed project per Chart to insure timing on parts in and available at stern, factory floor setup ok, packaging definition, pre-build, etc.
- We will have 3-4 MMR's at Chicago Expo setup to Play (likely at PPS booth)
- Rick will be at Gary's talk if any MMR topic comes up there (Friday late afternoon?)
- Product support being solidified - help ticket system being deployed, PPS forum support area, Support resources trained, etc.
- Game will not be 'on the line' at Expo - as disappointing as that is, it won't be too far off, but the UL is gating and is running longer than we had hoped. Sterns Line is prepped, many parts are on the floor, fixtures are built, etc. We should have one or more of the several pre-production games that Stern has built on the floor at Stern at the time of the tour - details tbd.

116

PPS Parts (incl Artwork) In Progress / Indy 500 Cabinet Decal Set (Next Gen 2+) ... almost done

« on: September 30, 2014, 06:09:44 PM »

We are just about done with the Indy 500 (finally!) ... switched gears to original artwork from films and now ready to go in the next couple of days.
Will be offered in backbox decal trimmed as original or bled over past the backbox (no seam). Also we can have the proto (solid) and the production version as well (gradual fade) as well.
 

117

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / Coin Mechs

« on: September 29, 2014, 09:02:30 PM »

MMR will come with everything to be coinop except the coin mechs themselves as a decision by Chicago Gaming. While this makes sense for non-US customers to not include, it's a problem for a small set of US customers. To that end, we've acquired some high quality METAL coin mechs and will be selling them for $7/each (vs the normal retail of $29) limit 2 ... so hopefully for anyone needing these you can order them and have it not be a major headache. We don't have a master list of MMR customer list otherwise we would offer this directly to all MMR customers - but logistically we don't have the ability. The game operates on freeplay just fine for the home without them but obviously some people will just want the mechs and do not have any around as they are pretty universal and just clip into the standard MMR coin door which is same as most any coin door.
If interested, you can purchase them here:
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118

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR Update - 9/29/14

« on: September 29, 2014, 01:12:50 PM »

Weekly MMR call (Rick, Doug Duba, Gary Stern, Dave Petersen, Ray Tanzer, Michael O'Donnell, etc)
UL Testing is most critical (and frustrating):

- UL wanting more documentation on transformer and will be slicing a couple of them apart (despite being made by the same transformer company that has been making pinball transformers for a long time ... )
- Door Interlock switch questions - they are asking for 100,000 cycle time switch (which is not what they ask for others making pinball machines), so we are iterating with them on that (100,000 door open and close!). We have the same switch on the game as is on other currently produced pinball machines that UL has tested.
- Transformer Co. has the materials and ready to build in volume, but UL is forcing people to wait until they are finished.
Games at Expo:
- There will be 3-4 MMR's at Expo
Stern Line Setup:
- Continues to be stocked with Parts, etc, waiting for Go on Production
- MMR can start on 2nd Line "anytime" based on finished UL, etc.
- Stern has completed several playfields as part of build test of parts, etc.
 

 

 
 

119

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR Update - 9/22/14

« on: September 22, 2014, 03:05:12 PM »

Status of MMR Project 9/22/14
- No new issues from UL this past week (which is good news), moving along daily calls to UL to insure that it's moving along
- Stern has been working on building playfields to test assemblies, as well as to work on production process and setup
- MMR BOM entered into Stern Mfg Systems, finishing up.
- Packaging being completed (box, etc), including exterior labelling, etc.
- Parts coming over to Stern during the week to build up initial build run quantities for all parts.
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120

MMR Updates (READ ONLY) / MMR Update - 9/15/14

« on: September 15, 2014, 12:43:52 PM »

MMR Update 9/15/14 ...
- UL testing thru first phase of Evaluation - two requests for some slight modication (insulation, etc) which do not require parts changes and have already been addressed - so this is good. Game is now into the "Labs" for various testings.
- Stern working thru getting all of the BOM into their systems, as well as finishing building of assemblies and playfields for production line all required steps for getting their production team trained on how to build the playfield as well as how to setup the line correctly and all the process steps to do that.
- Parts procurement continues for 250,500,1000 first games such that we have the fastest production capability as we can based on when parts come in vs when how they get built. Parts in in-house now for 250,500,1000 based on lead time for the part.
- PPS is gathering up the reseller and customer input on trim options and we will then make the determination of what trim will go in what order for the first batch of games.