The Return of FB4, in a new "-XE" Variant

Our users have felt the effects of the supply chain in recent years, particularly concerning the availability of FB4s. This situation has led to increased competition. While we encourage competition, we have unfortunately witnessed long-term partners resorting to counterfeit hardware which has been disheartening.

After encountering ongoing challenges in combating these supply chain issues, we recognized the need for a fresh approach. Our solution involved a redesign of the FB4, incorporating readily accessible, modern components. This undertaking was no small task, requiring the retooling of the entire assembly line and developing firmware from the ground up.

As a result, we proudly present the FB4-XE.

The FB4-XE is the new variant of the FB4, specifically designed to meet the demand of the marketplace, while ensuring as seamless integration between existing variants as possible. While the underlying components have been entirely revamped, all other aspects remain unchanged. The FB4-XE maintains the same physical dimensions, same pinouts, and board-level connections as the FB4-SE. As a result, our OEM partners can seamlessly incorporate the new hardware, and the ability to quickly deploy the new hardware without issues.

From the end user’s perspective, the transition to the XE variant is equally seamless. Although the firmware has been rebuilt from scratch, the user interface, feature set, and options remain the same. We are committed to simultaneously developing firmware and features for both XE and SE versions. Inside the software, you will interact with XE versions of FB4 the same as SE variants. The only visible distinction will be the “XE” tags in various locations to help identify the XE variants.

The only downside we encountered with the new FB4-XE is the inability to make the brand-new firmware backward compatible with BEYOND versions prior to 5.2. This challenge arises from the intricate interplay between the new processor and firmware, and the interaction between the new firmware and BEYOND. Although we attempted to emulate the SE variant for backward compatibility, we determined that it would introduce stability and complexity issues that are not conducive to a device used for show production, where reliability is paramount.

On a positive note, we have made significant progress in clearing the backlog of orders, and within the next month or two, we anticipate having ample stock availability for FB4. Once the stock is replenished, you will be able to place orders for the FB4 as usual through our website. If you have previously placed an order and are awaiting a shipment date, we encourage you to reach out to your sales representative for an estimated time of arrival.

We take immense pride in our hardware development teams for their resilience in navigating the challenges posed by the supply chain while concurrently working on the development of FB4-XE. We are excited to meet the growing needs of the laser marketplace, as our production capacity for the FB4 has significantly increased beyond pre-pandemic levels.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our valued users for investing in our brand and entrusting us with their business. We understand the challenges brought about by the shortage of FB4s and sincerely appreciate your patience and support. We are excited to provide this solution to ensure the continued progress of the industry that we love so much, in the direction our customers demand.