Hi All, Mark's text this morning made me realize I need to post an update.
We've done a lot of changes in our manufacturing process that's delayed the production of the Tsavo and it's all weather sibling the Brooks. First and foremost, we had to flip the order of operations on what side we machine first. We previously started off machining the top/picatinny side of the receiver, then gripped said pic rail to complete the receiver in the 2nd mill operation. With the prototype Tsavos, our fixturing required a third operation to remove the picatinny rail and drill/tap the mount holes. Obviously this isn't the most efficient method, so all new fixturing had to be made to accomplish this.
Another major change of note is the bolt raceway. Previously, we started out with a steel blank, punched a hole through it, and broached the raceway prior to machining. The broach tools are wearing and I wasn't happy with the surface finish they produced, so we're now cutting them with an EDM in between the two 5axis milling steps described above. It's a much slower manufacturing process, but gives much better control of the geometry and surface finish compared to the broached raceway. The change in processing also avoids the $18k to replace the broaches.
We're in process of programming the CNC code, and hope to start cutting test parts in the next few weeks.
Long story short, they're coming, just not as fast as anyone would like. I'll try to keep everyone posted as things progress.
@Mark A Ouellette and
@Altitude sickness will get to play first obviously
-Ian