easy120 Development Blog - 4

In the past weeks, we have been working on all the steps that take a final prototype to production. This is a tedious process that ensures we are ready to produce the easy120 in larger quantities, streamlining the design for assembly, checking and rechecking all the parts that go together and ordering production prototypes to validate that our manufacturers can deliver the parts in the quality and tolerances we need.

The easy120 loaded with the 6x9 Universal holder and 100mm of distance tubes, allowing you to scan 120 film using a 55mm lens.

Issues and revalidation

In September, we ran into an issue related to the threaded rivets that will hold the easy120 together. Essentially, the rivets used in the pre-production units were too large and made the light not fit. We had to make some minor design changes and work back and forth with the manufacturer with changes to make this work. At the same time, we got to ensure that the paint on the final production units follows the standard we wanted.

This has set us back about 6 weeks, but now we are starting to get ready for the pre-order. Creating a product is a long and frustrating process, but also a rewarding and interesting process when, finally, the product is out the door and we start seeing it in use with hundreds or thousands of customers.

While we were waiting for the new parts, we also had the chance to validate other parts, such as the thumb screw, the new holder locking mechanism (which will be a spring loaded mechanism - see below) and the all-metal rotation mechanism. In addition to that, we have been working on the packaging and final elements that will be included in the box - locking down all the small things, like the screws and tissue paper used in the box.

easy120 Holder Lock

The easy120 is our most refined and precise product yet, going further in using machined parts to create a better user experience. Our favourite little feature of this new product is the new holder lock.

The holder is held inside a metal housing, and hidden inside the housing is a strong spring and a trapped 8mm ball bearing. Inserting the holder is as easy and pushing it until it snaps into place. It is held in place by the spring force of the ball bearing, using enough for to hold it in place during use but making it possible to push it out again.

The whole experience is not only fast and smooth, requires no tools and is precise, but is also incredibly satisfying. We might not get any scanning done but spend the time playing with this mechanism...

easy120 Advancer

In the meantime, we have been working on finalising the accessories that will be available for the easy120 at launch. The most unsure one was the Advancer unit - in fact, we were not sure if this was something people wanted. Following some polling in our community, we decided to finalise and include this.

The design posed some challenges do the operation orientation of the easy120 (in its side). The unit borrows the principle of our tried and tested VALOI 360 Advancer, but the frame attaches straight to the easy120 unit. The parts also had to be remade for the easy120 system, as there were some dimensional constraints related to the new system - this means we will have two similarly functioning advancer units, but with some different parts. The frame also had to change from a single-frame design to a three-piece design as the single-frame part was not hitting the tolerances needed for the axles.

Here is a rendering of how that will look screwed onto the front of the easy120:

easy120 Confirmed Accessories

As we get closer to the launch date, we are happy to finally be able to confirm which holders and accessories will be available. Below is a list:

Here are some of the holders that will be available.

• Duster (same as the 360 system)

• Advancer

• 120 Universal holder (up to 6x9, and will come with the unit)

• 120 6x7 holder

• 120 6x6 holder

• 120 6x4.5 holder

• 35mm standard holder

• 35mm standard frame with sprockets visible

• 35mm panoramic holder

• 35mm 50x50 mounted slides holder

  
  

We can also confirm that the easy120 will ship with filter thread adapters for 72mm and 77mm, in addition to the ones up to 67mm that the easy35 ships with. It will therefore be compatible with certain medium format lenses.

However, we have some accessories that will not make it for the launch and we will continue to working on those. The following products will not make it:

• 120 border scanning holder

• 6x6 slide holder

• 127 holder

• Potentially other smaller formats

Pre-Order Release

The easy120 will be available for pre-order at the end of October. Next week we will get back to you with the final date and the final update.

In the meantime, if you have any comments or questions, we are always happy to hear your input.