6x6 Project Blog

Shaping up.

2023-06-14

After spending time thinking on the old model and the old ideals I was holding while designing it for a low batch production, I have just about scraped everything from the old layout.

The main thing that is forcing a layout change is the battery shape. Before I was set on using size 18650 or 21700 because they are easy to work with on a hobbyist level. Although they make the product layout non-ideal. The button either has to stack on top the battery and then there is a bunch of empty space below the heater or the button goes next to the battery but then the heater is dangerously close to the battery.

My new goal is for mass production which changes the requirements. For bulk sales, replaceable batteries can be harder to manage as a company. The fear of a user using the wrong battery type is added as well. As such I accepted this will have non-replaceable batteries. It provides me with more flexibility, as now I can use flat and unique sized batteries. Although it also makes sense from a consumer level, this is meant to be a vaporizer for a casual smoker, not someone who plans to vape bowl after bowl.

The old heater design (above) is great and I'm keeping that although it will need to be reworked. It takes the strongest heater from one of the most expensive on-demand vaporizers and makes it much cheaper to produce in large quantities (and hopefully assemble). Looking for the heater to use 55-70W and a continuous discharge rated around 25A. That is a lot of power but will be good to have it for quick roasting of herbs.

Messing with the hot end.

Assembly view. Everything is floating, needs to find its spot and make a chassis.

3D print of the early shape to see how it feels. Feels pretty good although may change the angle of the slope and add more body to make it feel more rugged.

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