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What may help in all of this discussion is the understanding of when those molds were made and who paid for them.
Given all the discussion, and sometimes common sense, which isn't sometimes common, I would hope the paperweight mold was one of the first molds ever produced by the company. It could have been an intern who did the CAD to produce the mold for test runs and calibration of the machine, i.e. NRE.
I can't believe this was produced for any purpose than seeing if the machine is working properly or show and tell. I'd want to waste liquidmetal on a small dinky part with a relatively easy mold design, vice risking damaging an expensive mold.
It could have been a customer with a request to see if embossing/texture was possible for raised text.
At this point it's speculation but if it's of that much importance, ask Chung or dial into the next conference call.
Speaking of conference calls, may want to tune into the Materion quarterly call tomorrow....
Has anyone checked out the new Investor's brief on the Liquidmetal website? This actually was revised from the brief they gave at the AHSM to include a new high res video of the Engel machine!
And just for you Watts, Tom shows them making a highly complex part and not a paper weight! I wonder if it was from the customer meetings earlier that week? I can barely make out, but the person recording/taking pictures with their cell phone, their shirt looks like it says Engel?
Video can also be seen here (posted today):
http://www.microcapdaily.com/liquidmetal-technologies-inc-otcbblqmt-liquidmetal-iphone-story/15022/
Kind of a "duh" article but I'll take any press nowadays.
Anyone know if you can schedule a walkthrough or demo at Engel's plant in Austria?
Paul told me not to worry about space since they are or could lease a larger facility in the business park.
Also, they do have a $30M line they can tap into from Aspire. So scaling shouldn't be an issue.
Aspire reps were there to see first hand the operation of the machine.
Wells Fargo rep was also present.
Paul told me not to worry about space since they are or could lease a larger facility in the business park.
I didn't see Engel or Materion there for the ASHM but Tom did say they were there during the customer meeting earlier in the week.
Fractured or not, if Lockheed places an order, they're going to figure out how to work together. But, I would assume the canards "may" fall within the low rate production quantities (100k's) and LQMT may end up producing these internally.
Good if this is the case but this depends on when Lockheed needs them. If they can add a few more Engel machines and meet production requirements, they will probably do this.
If they needed a CLM, they'd have one by now. High margin, low production may be what they're targeting for now.
Yes, but VPC may produce these so margins will be minimal.
At my 325k shares.....I feel small :(
Thanks for the clarification!
I asked a question about the Canards. I was wondering whether or not they can be formed with a single shot or welding multiple parts together. They were formed in a single liquidmetal shot.
For anvils, I believe it's another term for surgical staples. Currently titanium is primarily used for internal whereas stainless for external.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/236527-types-of-surgical-staples-used-internally/
I also recall Paul saying something about targeting disposable medical devices, for instance surgical staples.
I spoke with Chung about this. He said he's going to talk to their lawyers to see if they can have a re-vote due to the lack of voting (or voting abstain) by their investment firms. He said they need to do a better job notifying them to vote.
I took down the voting stats:
Proposal 1 - 45M shares/54.1% voted yes
Proposal 2 - 51M shares/52.1% voted no
Proposal 3 - 49M shares/50.2% voted yes
Proposal 4 - 274M shares/77.8% voted yes
He said something about already having restricted (or unrestricted) shares but have a higher tax penalty than the shares they were trying to offer for vote
I also recall seeing Aspire reps as well as AAP Orthopedics there.
watts,
If I knew that was you I would have definitely introduced myself. I tend to read the message board rather than posting since it's good to get differing opinions than my own.
I also enjoy your literary diction and sarcasm on the board. Has made me smile more than once.
I also remember seeing Tim Visser present at the meeting. Once someone talked about Visser being a competitor, Tim's name tag kept "falling off". I'm sure he reported back to Barney how many people showed up to the meeting.
Another small tid bit I recall is that Paul said he was targeting directly tier 1 supplies to OEMs and tier 2. He said they're working with or have contacted around 80 of these suppliers.
I was there....I think I pissed off Steipp and Hauck with all my questions. Can get a little fruatrating when they don't tell you what I don't already know.
Great summary btw Watts!
Only thing I have to add is the following:
1. New website coming - I think we all know that. Going to be less of, "hey look at me..." and more of, "here's what we do and how we can do something for you".
2. NASA SIBR Phase II coming up for proposals (only open to phase I awardees). Tom said they're focusing on making products not so much R&D. Good point but when you have $0 revenue but up to $750k for two years on a NASA contract. They wouldn't comment more but I'm sure Stephanie will submit a proposal. I can tell she loves this stuff!
3. Paul focusing on big accounts. I think automotive may come next after medical. Not necessarily focusing on regions or areas in US but big customers. Good clarification since announcements say "North West rep of xyz..." but he said there's also a need to keep things as confidential as possible and not give away who they're working with. Easy to put two and two together sonetimes.
4. No answer on CLMs.....still working and can't reveal anything more. They do have access to scale operations once production scales. I heard they have more space nearby in the business park. They've already extensively studied how many Engel machines could fit in their current space. But go back on forth on how it would be done. Again, RSM location to only be used for low rate production (100,000s) whereas high rate (1Ms+) with CLMs.
5. Paul acknowledged he's worked with some of the MSRs and mold makers and they all know the business and what they can target for 100g units.
Overall very impressed and interested in the things to come!!
New liquidmetal patent released yesterday. Looks like another Engel machine related patent?
"Temperature regulated vessel"
Filed August 12, 2011
http://goo.gl/vgfEiT
I'll be there and definitely will.
Liquidmetal holograms anyone? Pretty smart idea...
Patent issued: October 2, 2014
http://goo.gl/qkx2vC
NANO- AND MICRO-REPLICATION FOR AUTHENTICATION AND TEXTURIZATION
Abstract
Embodiments herein relate to forming nano- and/or micro-replication directly embossed in a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy comprising a metal alloy by superplastic forming of the bulk solidifying amorphous alloy at a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the metal alloy.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Nano- and micro-replication is currently used for polymers. Nano- and micro-replication technology could be used to mass-produce precise structures in a variety of polymer films. This proprietary technology of companies such as Avery Dennison Corporation and 3M uses heat and pressure to liquefy a polymer and then reform it into extremely precise microstructures in a continuous, repeating pattern--often in the form of tiny protrusions, depressions, ridges or holes. Micro-replication provides micron-scale precision, high-structure density, high volume and low cost. Micro-replicated products could be used in a variety of products, including consumer products, health care, electronics, flat panel displays and micro electric-mechanical systems--to create a variety of micro-replicated product solutions.
[0003] However, currently there is no technology to form nano- and micro-replications such as holograms in metals like that available for making the same in polymer films. The conventional way of putting a hologram on a metal device is by first printing a hologram having holographic images on a piece of paper or sticker and then taping the paper or sticker on the metal surface of the device. However, by this method, one can remove the hologram from one device and put it on another device. Alternatively, if one wants to put the holographic images on the device itself without a sticker one needs to remove the components out of the device because the fabrication process involves some kinds of a wet process like etching. Therefore, there is a need to solve these problems by being able to put a hologram or something similar without having to remove the internal component of the device and make the hologram non-removable from the device.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need to develop replication technology to mass-produce precise nano- and micro-scale structures e.g., holograms, directly embossed in a metal device without a wet process and without having to remove any component from the device, for example, the components of a cell phone.
http://gateway2014.viavid.com/#schedule
The Liquidmetal conference area is already open. Good place to start chatting about Liquidmetal! Maybe Paul will check in tomorrow.
Watts is going.
Full4God is going.
darknight is going. - Where is everyone staying?
Talked to Tony last night. Aspire deal wasn't formally announced since the SEC filing was the announcement. The previous Kingsbrooke agreement was cancelled due to better terms on the Aspire deal. $16M of $20M was exercised under that deal. No current plan for the $30M other than showing potential clients they have access to additional capital if needed, i.e. capital stability. Current cash ($13.8M) would last them through 2015 given no revenue (which is minimal now) so having $30M in their back pocket isn't a bad idea.
Paul is pretty busy these days...too busy to attend the conference next week. Tom will be presenting and will share Q&A with Tony. Paul must be doing something pretty important to not show case or discuss LQMT to potential large investors? I said I'm sure he'll be extra busy especially in the next two weeks...we both chuckled.
Most of this information was given in their filings and CC.
Long LQMT
Luckily, in the agreement, LQMT has control over buying/selling, not Aspire.
This could be good or bad. From their last conference call, they have $16M in cash. There's no reason this "investment" is only to be used for on-going "admin" operations.
Do they need these funds to fund a start-up production? Maybe...but why wouldn't the company requiring the start-up simply fund it up-front? This is what Apple did for GTAT right (buy furnaces to produce sapphire for the iphone 6)?
One organization to pay upon receipt of a product is the government.
The government most likely wouldn't pay for missiles until the end product was received....
Just my 2 cents. LONG LQMT.