Mintion W1 Shipping Update: Production Upgrades & Revised Delivery Tim

Mintion W1 Shipping Update: Production Upgrades & Revised Delivery Timeline

Date: 2026-9-23

Since our decision on August 20 to upgrade all Mintion W1 orders to the injection-molded production version, we have been moving quickly to prepare for mass production. By late August, the part layout for tooling had been finalized, mold production had started, and the first batch of PCBs had already entered production. Our original plan was to begin shipping by the end of September.

As pre-orders continued and more of our 3D-printed test units were placed in the hands of internal testers, we received more real-world feedback.

One of the most frequently requested new features was automatic stop when the filament runs out. Around 30 users had requested this feature by early September, and by mid-September, that number had grown to more than 60.

At the same time, feedback from our beta testers (the 3D-printed parts version) also highlighted opportunities to further improve roller noise, wear resistance, and drivetrain reliability when filament becomes tangled or a source spool unexpectedly jams.

By this point, the molds were already close to completion, and the first batch of PCBs had already been produced.

After repeated evaluation, we made the difficult decision to pause the original production schedule, modify the molds, redesign the PCB, and include these improvements directly in the first production batch of the W1.

What Is Being Upgraded?

1. Filament Runout Detection & Auto Stop

The W1 will now include filament runout detection.

When the filament on the source spool runs out, the W1 will automatically detect it and stop winding. To add this feature, we redesigned the PCB and modified parts of the top cover and filament guide assembly. We also added a microswitch module and a power indicator light. As a result, the first batch of PCBs that had already been produced will no longer be used.

Top Cover to Modify

Filament Lead Tube to Modify

2. Lower Roller Noise & Improved Wear Resistance

During testing, we found that friction between the source spool and the rollers was one of the main sources of operating noise. Some black spools could also leave friction marks on the roller surface after extended use. We tried the roller in PC and Nylon materials, but the final result did not satisfy us.

Finally, we found that the roller solution of adding wear-resistant TPU sleeves comes with better results. Therefore, for the production version, we are updating the roller design and adding wear-resistant TPU sleeves. This will help reduce friction noise while also improving long-term wear resistance. However, this update needs to modify the roller mold as well, which will take some time.

3. Improved Protection When Filament or Spools Jam

If filament becomes tangled or the source spool unexpectedly jams during respooling, additional load can be placed on the motor and drivetrain. For the production version, we are adding a flexible coupling between the motor and drive shaft, together with electronic overcurrent protection. This provides additional cushioning and protection to the drivetrain if the spool becomes unexpectedly blocked.

Why Is Shipping Being Delayed?

These changes involve more than a simple software update. They require mold modifications, PCB redesign and reproduction, followed by PCBA assembly, testing, and final product verification.

The mold modifications are expected to take approximately 12-15 days, while the new PCB production will take around 20 days, followed by several additional days for assembly and testing.

This production window also overlaps with the Mid-Autumn Festival (3 days) and China’s National Day holiday (7 days), which further affects the manufacturing schedule.

Unfortunately, this means we can no longer maintain our original late-September shipping schedule.

Updated Shipping Schedule

Estimated shipping date: October 26–30

Estimated customer to receive: Early November for most regions, depending on the destination country and shipping method.

What This Means for Existing Pre-Orders

All of these upgrades will be included at no additional cost.

No action is required for existing orders.
Your $89.99 Early Bird price remains unchanged.
Your order will automatically receive the latest injection-molded production version.

We understand that the revised delivery timeline may not work for everyone.

If you are unable to accept the delayed shipping schedule, you may contact us at any time to cancel your order and request a full refund. We fully respect your decision and will assist you with the process as quickly as possible.

A Note from Mintion

We sincerely apologize for the additional wait and any inconvenience this delay may cause, and we truly appreciate your patience and feedback.

Continuing with the original design would have allowed us to ship earlier. However, these requests and potential improvements became clear before the first production units were delivered. We believe it is better to address them now rather than introduce these upgrades after customers have already received their W1. For that reason, we have chosen to take a little more time and include these improvements directly in the first production version.

Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered the W1, participated in testing, and shared suggestions with us. We will do our best to make the first W1 units delivered to customers a more complete and reliable product for long-term use.