Update from Revo HQ 2026

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prodigy
Posts: 2949
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2011 6:35 am
Location: Sweden

Update from Revo HQ 2026

Post by prodigy »

Revomaster wrote:An Update on Production and Progress at RevoHQ

Dear all,

It has become important to address the current perception of the company, particularly around shipping delays and the lack of communication from RevoHQ. I would like to share the following update to explain the timeline and what has been happening behind the scenes.

At the end of 2023, we lost our engineer to another company and, with him, much of the setup for our products. As a small family business, this had a significant impact, and I had to learn and rebuild much of what he had previously established.

As the New Year began, it became clear that our base in Ulverston was becoming unsustainable, so we had to plan a move back to RevoHQ during the year.

Downsizing was necessary and, by September, we had moved our operation, set up a new office and studio, created a packing area, and secured a storage facility with 24 hour access.

During this time, we shipped the Pilot Black Lites and received very positive reviews. However, finding a new anodiser proved difficult and, eventually, we worked with one that had limited colour options. This allowed us to produce the original Black Pilot Lites.

Throughout 2024, with the move and the work involved in unravelling programs and drawings, we had to pause the VAULTMAZE series while we focused on establishing the Lite range.

Finding a new anodiser with far more colour options allowed us to expand the Lite series to 24 designs, up from the original 8 plus the Pilot. Having 20 designs allowed for more mazes across different difficulty levels and, due to demand for more dynamic puzzles, we added a further 4 designs, which we classed as Grandmaster level.

As some customers had originally ordered from the initial 8 designs, many requested upgrades to the newer levels. Others wanted more dynamic elements within their puzzles. This was also true for the Limited Edition set, so we decided to add Gold and Orange as dynamic options, bringing the total to 6.

This additional design and planning work required a full restructuring of programs and drawings. Other than support from Rachel, this work, along with learning the machine, was undertaken by me.

During the winter of 2024, I began experiencing fatigue, which I initially put down to Covid 19. In May 2025, I was diagnosed with coronary disease after suffering a major heart attack. I have since undergone two operations, which have made a significant difference to my health and fitness.

One area that remained was the pressure to complete designs and production. During this time, the scale of work had grown from a few hundred parts to many thousands.

The importance of getting everything right to a high standard remained my driving force. However, this period was made even more difficult when Rachel was rushed into hospital with a life threatening condition affecting both her and her unborn son, my first grandson. In June, Rachel gave birth to Elliott and, thankfully, both are now doing well.

As a result, no handover was possible and responsibility for keeping everyone updated fell entirely to me. I also needed to replace the engineer and, at the beginning of 2025, we attended an employment show at our local college, where we met Charlie, who showed a strong interest in the puzzles we make.

Charlie joined us in June and has since enrolled on a Level 4 Engineering Technician course, which we are sponsoring. Over the past 7 months, Charlie has become competent in operating the Emco 25 Turning Centre with a Sinumerik 828D control, using both G code and ShopTurn, and has also contributed to maze design.

As part of his course, Charlie set up a project to introduce version control within the company. This required all drawings and programs to meet defined standards, ensuring full control over versioning and change management.

Working alongside external testers, we now have 24 high quality puzzle designs, one of which contains over 75 individual parts.

To manufacture reliably, we needed to run production in parallel. With only one turning centre, manufacturing had to be done in series, with frequent tool changes. We therefore decided to use an external subcontractor and began searching towards the end of 2024.

After several setbacks, we have now secured a suitable partner and have started receiving components, with more collected last week. This collaboration will provide an initial batch of around 2,000 parts, allowing us to focus on maze cores and internal components and begin shipping long awaited orders.

All of the above has taken far longer than we had hoped. My lack of communication while trying to manage training, design, testing and production meant that many of our very patient customers were left without updates, and for that I am truly sorry.

Rachel is now offering some of her time to re establish a clear communication pathway using the news blog on our website. This will be the main place where we share shipping progress and other useful information.

While the above explains the timeline, it does not excuse the lack of communication. I am a technical professional and am skilled at resolving engineering issues, but keeping people informed consistently is something I need to improve. I will be working closely with Rachel to do so.

Charlie is now able to work independently and is fully committed to ensuring that only high quality parts are made and assembled. This will allow me more time to keep everyone accurately up to date.

Next week, we expect to receive our first batch of 345 anodised sleeves, while a further 655 sleeves are currently being machined. Once these are on site, we will assemble and begin shipping across all 24 puzzle designs.

I will continue to share updates via our news blog and respond to messages where possible. I will also do my best to update customers on the progress of their individual orders.

Again, I am very sorry for the delays. We are confident that, given the work that has gone into these puzzles, you will receive something that meets and exceeds expectations.

Alongside ongoing production, Charlie and I are now also shifting focus to completing the VAULTMAZE series and will continue to keep you informed of its progress.

Best regards,

Chris
Chris Pitt
Director
Ashton Pitt Ltd

Source: https://www.thepuzzleworkshop.uk/post/a ... -at-revohq
OPEN: AQUA - TURQUOISE - BLUE - GREEN - BRONZE - SILVER - GOLD - INDIGO - TITANIUM - RED - ORANGE - LIME - GUNMETAL - PURPLE - COPPER - MINT - HANDMADE - MERCURY - BLACK - BLACK MERC - SALMON - GREY - SAPPHIRE - EMERALD - RUBY - PEACH
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prodigy
Posts: 2949
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2011 6:35 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Update from Revo HQ 2026

Post by prodigy »

Lilmike14 wrote:
Hi Everyone,

A small update for you all.

Revomaze Lite-

On Thursday 29th, Chris picked up batch 1 of the anodised sleeves, 345 in total. While he was there, he also handed over batch 2, containing another 655 sleeves.

Because the sleeves are being done in batches, each batch has a certain set of colour allocations to allow for a wider variety of mazes/sets to be shipped.

Batch 1 contains 5 sets of the Limited set sleeves, 30 Black V2 sleeves, 10 of everything else and extra sleeves allocated to the Intro and Advanced sets.

200 maze cores have been machined at the time of writing (the morning of Friday 6th Feb)
from Aqua to Purple. Chris and Charlie are working through them in ascending difficulty order.

Mazes are being assembled and both couldn't be happier with the smooth feeling of operation.

All Lites now come with a serial number and version number on the core.

Blue, Green, Grey, Purple & Red releases from now on will display V1.1.
Every other maze will release with V1.0.
The version number will increase should any further changes be needed.

This will aid in troubleshooting, should there be any issues and make identifying maze versions far easier.

For example, Silver and Salmon classic had multiple versions with minor differences. A version identifier would have made troubleshooting a far easier task, especially if you're helping someone remotely and can't test the maze yourself.

There is space for 8 characters on the serial number, non limited mazes start at 10000.

Limited edition maze serials will follow the format 001-125, 002-125, etc.

Custom serials are available on the maze cores themselves, but the certificate (if included) will show the serial number that the maze would normally have.

Vaultmaze-

Using lessons learned from the more efficient programming on the Lite mazes, Chris and Charlie are reprogramming all of the Vaultmaze rings to make the machining more time efficient.

The more efficient programming also substantially increases the smoothness of the finished components, something we've witnessed with the test cores for the Lites.

This is done whilst the Lite cores are machining, no time is being taken from Lite production.

They've managed to reduce the time per ring to 4-6 minutes, down from 18-20.
At its maximum, this saves an enormous 2432 minutes, or, 40.5 hours per complete set of 152 rings (start & end rings included).

Refunds-

Chris offers his sincerest apologies to those waiting for refunds.
He'll be in touch with you all soon.

Finally, Chris is extremely grateful for the patience of the entire Revomaze community.

It has been a long journey, the wait is nearly over, and we can't wait for you all to experience the Revomaze Lites.

We truly believe the Lites will speak for themselves.

Mike_Lite.png
Mike_Lite.png (547.58 KiB) Viewed 630 times
OPEN: AQUA - TURQUOISE - BLUE - GREEN - BRONZE - SILVER - GOLD - INDIGO - TITANIUM - RED - ORANGE - LIME - GUNMETAL - PURPLE - COPPER - MINT - HANDMADE - MERCURY - BLACK - BLACK MERC - SALMON - GREY - SAPPHIRE - EMERALD - RUBY - PEACH
User avatar
prodigy
Posts: 2949
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2011 6:35 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Update from Revo HQ 2026

Post by prodigy »

Lilmike14 wrote:Hi Everyone,

I have a new update for you.

Workshop -

On Monday the workshop experienced some electrical issues. Minus the compressor, the lights and the CNC machine, the entire workshop had been left without electric.
The machine has also experience a ruptured airline.

Both of these faults have now been fixed, the electric on Wednesday and the airline prior to that.

The machine and the workshop are now both up and running again.

Refunds -

The refunds process has begun, some people have already received their refunds.
If you haven’t received yours yet, Chris will be in touch in due course.

Revomaze Lites -

The next batch of sleeves (Batch 2, 655 sleeves) has been anodised and are ready to collect.

The engineers have began to produce the third batch of 1000 sleeves. This batch will cover all of the remaining mazes on pre order, whilst leaving some extra to stock the website with once all existing pre orders have been dispatched.

At the moment, 45-50 mazes have been shipped since the last update. Chris and Charlie have used this batch of puzzles to get the assembly process honed in. Now they’re at a point where mazes can be assembled smoothly, whilst also providing the care needed to ensure they work as planned.

Toolkit -

The final component of the toolkit has been designed and made in aluminium.
Chris has tested this during maze assembly and is happy with the way it operates.
It provides a nice positive feel, and holds the pin open without issue for assembly or disassembly of the mazes.

Chris has asked the engineers to quote for machining this in stainless steel. While the aluminium pin holder works. It is only aluminium, over time it may get worn down by the stainless steel of the pin so Chris is looking for a harder wearing solution.

Testing -
Some of you may have been following Marvin’s/Cpt.Blood’s testing progress.
He was originally testing the mazes whilst in the UAE. Whilst he is safe and home, unfortunately his testing was cut short due to conflict in the region.
His tester mazes remain in the UAE, and he’s unsure when he’ll be able to safely return to the country and be able to pick them up.
Of the mazes he received, only Yellow, Gold, Pink, Ruby, Lilac & Indigo remain untested, these only received a visual inspection.

However, the main thing to take from this update is that he’s safe and well, mazes can be replaced, people can’t.

On the topic of testing.

We have 5 of each maze, from Aqua to Orange, to send out, plus an extra 2 brass Reds. The breakdown is as follows.

Sets -
3 Introductory sets (Blue, Green, Grey & Purple) – Aluminium

2 Introductory Special Edition Sets (Sapphire, Emerald & Titanium) - Aluminium

1 Introductory Special Edition Plus Set (Aqua LE (125), Sapphire, Emerald & Titanium) – Aluminium

2 Intermediate Special Edition Sets (Teal, Gunmetal & Copper) – Brass

1 Intermediate Special Edition Plus Set (Black V2 (125), Teal, Gunmetal & Copper) – Brass

5 Limited Edition 4 Maze Sets (Turquoise, Lime, Yellow & Orange) – Aluminium

3 Partial Advanced Sets (Red, Bronze & Silver) - Aluminium

Singles -

Introductory -
Aqua 005 – 4 aluminium mazes
Blue 010 – 2 aluminium mazes
Sapphire 015 – 2 aluminium mazes
Green 020 – 2 aluminium mazes
Emerald 025 – 2 aluminium mazes
Grey 030 – 2 aluminium mazes
Titanium 035 – 2 aluminium mazes
Purple 040 – 2 aluminium mazes

Intermediate -
Black V2 045 – 4 brass mazes
Teal 050 – 2 brass mazes
Gunmetal 055 – 2 brass mazes
Copper 060 – 2 brass mazes

Advanced -
Red 070 – 2 aluminium mazes
Red 070 – 2 brass mazes
Bronze 080 – 2 aluminium mazes
Silver 090 – 2 aluminium mazes

These mazes are available to be sent out, either as sets or mixed singles for review.
However, there are some conditions.
  • A maximum of 4 mazes per customer.
  • You need to have an existing order/orders for the mazes of your choosing, in the materials you’ve chosen. These will count as fulfilling your order.
  • For example, if you would like an Introductory Special Edition Set (Sapphire, Emerald & Titanium) with a Black V2 (only available in brass) you’d need an order(s) that contain all of the mazes above, in the materials chosen.
  • Only people who have an order of the 4 Set Limited Edition Mazes (Turquoise, Lime, Yellow & Orange) may receive these mazes
  • **We’re currently unable to ship to countries experiencing postal difficulties or restrictions**
What we’d like:
We’d love to hear your feedback on the mazes you’ve chosen. While we’re happy with the feedback from our 2 testers. They’ve been part of the development process and have seen the maps for most mazes before testing them. We believe that solving the mazes as intended, completely blind to the internals, will offer the best experience, and therefore provide essential feedback.

Do they meet your expectations?
Do they fit the difficulty level they’re set at?
Is there anything you’d change about the mazes?
Are the mazes providing a good solving experience?

We’d like to hear all these things and more.

If you’re interested, send Mike a message on Discord with the mazes you’d like and the order numbers that contain said mazes.
Numbers are limited so we’re looking for solvers of all experience levels to take part and provide their thoughts.

Rachel -

Rachel is due to return from maternity leave soon.
At the moment, she may be at HQ part time, mainly for socials and the website.

Chris is very much looking forward to her return.

Lastly -
Chris understands that the wait has been frustrating, he has nothing but appreciation to you, the customers, for giving him the opportunity to get everything resolved. He can see the finish line drawing ever closer and can’t wait for the mazes to be solved as they’re meant to be, be that in 5 minutes, or 5 years. There’s a maze for everyone in the Revomaze Lite collection, and he hopes you enjoy them.
OPEN: AQUA - TURQUOISE - BLUE - GREEN - BRONZE - SILVER - GOLD - INDIGO - TITANIUM - RED - ORANGE - LIME - GUNMETAL - PURPLE - COPPER - MINT - HANDMADE - MERCURY - BLACK - BLACK MERC - SALMON - GREY - SAPPHIRE - EMERALD - RUBY - PEACH
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