Vaultmaze announcements from the current site thepuzzleworkshop.uk (Feb 19, 2024 - )

[prodigy]

Here are the Vaultmaze announcements from the current site thepuzzleworkshop.uk. I will also try to add the Vaultmaze related announcements here in the future.

Feb 19, 2024

The Puzzle Workshop is launched and the Lite range is available for pre-order

Hello everyone,

Today we'd like to announce the launch of our brand-new website, 'The Puzzle Workshop' https://www.thepuzzleworkshop.uk

With the Revo HQ website and VAULTMAZE, we found it tricky to manage both on separate sites. We were unable to change the site's name, and so we decided to develop a new one to put our products together.

We chose to combine our products into one to make it easier to navigate, and all future websites will point to our new server. The VAULTMAZE website will be live until the end of the year; if you need any information from there, we can access order history for the future.

We would appreciate it if you would sign up for the new website for continuity, we have added the site forum and groups where we will carry on the announcements.

...

Later in the year, we will work alongside our engineers to help us in producing the Lites, depending on demand. We will also review which products are the best sellers and allocate extra stock for those.

In the meantime, we'll resume manufacturing the V4's, with the goal of shipping them all by March of next month, as well as finalising the pack 1's. One of our top prioritises in 2024 is continuing the VAULTMAZE packs and accessories, and with your valued feedback, we intend to make great progress with pending orders.

Many thanks to everyone, and we hope you enjoy viewing the new products. If you have any questions, our main point of contact will be the helpdesk email, our individual emails are now chris@thepuzzleworkshop.uk and rachel@thepuzzleworkshop.uk

Chris and Rachel

Mar 25, 2024 (Edited: Mar 26, 2024)

Black Lite's production progress and the results of the LE community sleeve poll

Hello everyone,

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The tasks that will be completed have now been laid out and are being worked on in stages, such as finishing the V4’s, pack 1’s for VAULTMAZE and returns. What we're working on with VAULTMAZE is making it more cost-effective and aiming to send more of the packs together. For example, the next priority would be pack 2 and 3 together, and while the Lite’s are in production, we'll be working on the next packs so that production can begin as early as possible. The testing sleeve (6-ring) and stand will be included in the remaining packs of 4, 5, and 6, completing the set; further information will be provided as soon as manufacturing begins.

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Kindest regards,

Chris and Rachel

May 09, 2024

Making rings at HQ and filming equipment

On Tuesday, May 7th, the machine was set up for the VAULTMAZE rings, and I had the experience of being an operator for the afternoon. Chris showed me how to get it ready before we pressed go.

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May 23, 2024

Production update - Black Lite's (pilot)

Dear all,

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When we lost a key player, our machinist Josh, it has taken much longer than we expected to get to where we should be. We do hope to bring a machinist in due course. Over the months Chris has re-visited all the programs and learning the operations on the machine to make it more efficient. Since Covid, Chris was badly affected and has found long-term symptoms such as brain fog that has affected his concentration which haven’t helped.

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While the Lite series will continue to develop, we do have orders in the background that will be fulfilled such as the V4’s, some special editions like the Purple’s and Handmade’s, and the VAULTMAZE project this year that is still in talks and will be continued. The advanced and limited edition Lite designs have begun and Chris is designing them in the background to get them into a working state, that will be checked over before being sent out.

Production is continuing to happen and as soon as there are dates that are set in stone and we feel happy to confirm it, we will do so over the site forum and the Discord to ensure we can communicate more openly with you. Live-streaming equipment has been invested in by the company to share the production and the high and lows we can come across, as well as announcements on a more direct level.

We would like to say once again thank you for your belief in the products and we are here if there’s any concerns or questions, we will do our best to keep in touch and provide news as early as possible.

Kindest regards,

Rachel & Chris

[prodigy]

Jun 28, 2024 (Edited: Sep 23, 2024)

REVOMAZE Lite (Special Editions) Announcement

Dear all,

We are very pleased about the Black launch feedback. So, Rachel and I have decided on our full plan for the rest of the REVOMAZE Lite series.

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While this is proceeding, we are still working on the VAULTMAZE project and getting the outstanding orders to the users. We will be sharing further updates in the Summer that we will be looking forward to.

Jul 24, 2024

VAULTMAZE and orders update

Hi all!

I'm happy to share an update on how things are going with orders and VAULTMAZE. The good news is that I have a handful of Black Lite to send out, as well as a few V4s and HM V1s. It's been very busy here, we're making some good progress.

We have a number of ring sets made for pack 1, and working on finalising the sets for side B. Progress is steady, it's taking a little longer to get to the next packs. Rest assured, things are moving along nicely.

We did hit a small obstacle when the polycarbonate bowl in the machine cracked yesterday, causing a pressure issue. Not to worry - we've got a replacement on the way and we're expecting it to arrive by the end of the week. Despite this setback, it means VAULTMAZE will be back in action by August.

Thank you all very much for your patience. I am looking forward to sharing further updates soon!

Aug 19, 2024

Office relocation

Hello everyone,

We have some exciting news to share with you today! Puzzle Workshop is returning to our head office as the lease for the Unit has come up for renewal. With our team size reduced and the space feeling too big for us now, we've decided to bring everyone back under one roof.

Rachel will have her office upstairs, while production will be downstairs. The room has transformed into the Puzzle Workshop Studio, where we will broadcast our puzzles, podcasts, and livestreams.

We aim to improve our efficiency and plan production more effectively together. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition, and we're looking forward to having you join us on this journey.

Thank you all very much and best wishes,

Chris and Rachel

[prodigy]

September 25, 2024

TIME!

Dear All

It is “TIME” to discuss the current position and what is happening next. Overall, I have been humbled by the enthusiasm of our puzzles, but also recognize the frustration you have all been having with me.

“TIME” has never been my friend and is the main reason why, I have feelings of total despair when things go wrong. The main cause of this is my continuing firefighting and lack of communication, which I know is not helping the brand. Other than Rachel, my staff choices have cost me much more than I thought, both financially and emotionally.

Driven by the impact the puzzles have on our customer base, my overwhelming desire to build bigger and better has “TIME” clearly attacking the progress as I exceed the limits of capacity making simple deliverable estimates completely out of reality.

What we are making, and the amount of technology used to achieve the precision requires so much “TIME” to get right, “TIME” I do not have enough of.

The disconnect between Rachel being at the Unit and myself working here, plus the financial cost of running a facility we only use to assemble and ship the puzzles has made the decision not to renew our lease. The pressure over the last 3 months was to find someone to take over and that has now happened. We leave the unit next Monday.

To have Rachel here, I have had to provide her with a dedicated office that also serves as a studio for our live broadcasts. The aim of this is to have better direct communications with our dedicated fans. This is now complete, and Rachel is now here.

In addition to working from Revo HQ, we have a storage facility to hold some of our office furniture as well as the packaging and boxes. We have 24/7 access and free up space here.

The weak link in the operation is that we have only one machine. Granted,this machine can make all our parts, but each part needs to be scheduled one after the other. So, since Joshua (our engineer) left, I have reviewed all programs and tooling to make the best use of a single tool setup. Now we have a better understanding of how to plan the parts but this showed the lack of “TIME” needed to get both VAULTMAZE and the REVOMAZE Lite projects.

The answer was to buy “TIME” by engaging our engineers to make some of our components again. That means we can machine concurrently reducing the delivery date. This was the same for the VAULTMAZE Pilot.

To be clear, I can make everything and complete everything, given enough “TIME”. You may say you have had enough “TIME”, and to some extent agree with you, but the reality on the ground is always problem-solving to find the best outcome and this does take up “TIME”.

So, that is the current situation. Next comes the future situation.

Our solely dedicated company is getting its financial resources to pay our way from the investment our customers are making to the pre-orders. This is our only source of income and having the unit and staff only put pressure on this as these were not cost-effective.

We have the VAULTMAZE Pilot project that is part complete, and we have all the financial resources until the full project is delivered. The project plan is in place, we just need “TIME” to complete and understand and appreciate people who will not pay any further until it is complete.

The REVOMAZE Lite project expanded into 19 puzzles – of which the Black Pilot has been shipped. These were grouped into different sets and allowed individual and the combination of sets to be purchased. The feedback has been good on the Black Pilot, but improvements were needed for the rest.

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Next week, we are entering our massive machining period as we will have moved out this weekend to our lockup. Rachel is planning to be much more open as to where we are by answering directly to people’s questions directly, giving live updates on YouTube and allowing direct answers.

The important part of Discord and communicating with our customers is to stop misinformation and provide better “TIME” lines for shipments. While I am machining and assembling, Rachel is the person at the coalface dealing with everyone and keeping an eye on what people are saying.

This will improve, and having the two projects too complete will require that “TIME” I am so short of, but Rachel and I will keep going until we succeed.

I hope this will help understand our position but if you have questions, please contact Rachel or myself with your concerns.

Kindest regards

Chris

[prodigy]

VAULTMAZE Status (24/10/2024)

Dear all,

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Vaultmaze Pilot:

Alongside Revomaze Lite’s, to fit time into production planning for the remainder of Pack 1’s for Vaultmaze components for the Standard, Enhanced, and Luxury. Due to the many parts required and precision for the RevoRings, more time is going to be spent to ensure we get it right and this will open up a door to 6 mazes in the Pack 2 & 3. We have discussed bringing in the engineers who can help us with the demand and enable to get this project underway much sooner for our backers and long-time customers.

Vaultmaze Account Holders/Subscribers: Please note the website subscription is due to expire at the end of this year. We please ask you save copies of your invoices. The subscriptions history will be accessible from us if you require it.

Enhancements to the Lite’s has been made to improve their functionality and longevity and this will be applied to future RevoRings. We’re positive about getting them into people’s hands and sharing further exciting updates! We will keep you informed with the latest developments in weeks to follow.

With Thanks and best regards,

Revo HQ

[prodigy]

November 28, 2024

Take a look and processing of orders is still being done and our two main projects, REVOMAZE Lite and Vaultmaze is still planned to go ahead this year and next year. Once completed, the Vaultmaze Pilot will be reviewed based on the feedback from our subscribers.

Source: https://www.thepuzzleworkshop.uk/post/r ... our-scheme

[prodigy]

Dear all,

In today’s post, we are sharing an update on the VAULTMAZE status. Now that it’s a new year, and we've overcome a difficult 2024, we are preparing for the coming months.

We have kept track of all orders and shipments that have gone out. We currently have 24 pack 1’s outstanding and we have the brass material available for machining. So far, 42 pack 1’s and bonus sleeves have been shipped. Feedback on these initial packs has allowed us to make changes, to further improve the quality of VAULTMAZE.

After further discussions, our current plan is to begin working on the remainder of the pack 1’s towards end of February and start of March to catch up. Once this is ticked off, the focus will be diverted to packs 2 and 3 thereafter.

One of our main aims for this year, we will strive for further progress in getting puzzles into our customers hands. In order to help us achieve this goal, we are now looking for an Engineering Operative to join our small team to help with the production process.

We recently formed the "Top Table Group", consisting of some of our customers. We have regular Skype calls to directly discuss progress, issues and updates.

We are listening to your comments and will keep in touch with new updates here in the group, as well as on the forums, and an update will be sent to everyone individually next week for a new year update.

We are putting together better communication regarding both the REVOMAZE and VAULTMAZE projects, and we're very excited about seeing both projects being produced to a very high standard.

...

Kind regards,

Revo HQ

Source: https://www.thepuzzleworkshop.uk/forum/ ... ear-status