Frequently asked questions
Orders, assembly, material, payment and returns. If your question is not here, write to the workshop: you will get a reply within 24 business hours.
Orders and shipping
When will my order ship?
Monday to Saturday: order before 18:00 (Paris time) and it leaves France the next business day, within 2 business days at the latest. Your tracking number arrives by email as soon as it ships.
How much is shipping?
It depends on your country and the option you choose, pickup point or home. In France, delivery is free on orders from €99, to a pickup point or to your door. All rates, zone by zone, are on our Shipping page.
Which countries do you ship to?
France and 66 other countries and territories. The full list, with rates and transit times for each zone, is on the Shipping page.
How do I track my order?
With the tracking link sent by email, or on the Order tracking page, using your order number and email.
Assembly
Do I need glue or batteries?
No. Everything fits together by press fit and micro screws, with the hardware included (micro screws, ball bearings). There is no glue, battery or motor: you are the one who turns the mechanism.
How long does a kit take to build?
Every product page gives the number of parts and the estimated build time. An Alpha model takes an evening; an Omega model takes several sessions, up to about fifteen hours for the longest.
I'm a beginner: which model should I start with?
The Alpha series: fewer parts, compact mechanisms you understand as you build them. The Spectra and then Omega series add axes and hours.
I'm stuck mid-build. What now?
Email contact@atlas-kinetics.net with a photo of the step that is giving you trouble and your order number. Our workshop replies within 24 business hours, Monday to Friday.
A part is missing or broken?
Send a photo and your order number to contact@atlas-kinetics.net. If the part is missing or faulty on arrival, the replacement ships free of charge. If it broke during the build, the workshop tells you how to replace it.
Materials and products
What are the parts made of?
PLA filled with wood fibre, 3D printed in small batches. PLA holds accurate dimensions; the fibre gives the look and feel of wood.
Will my kit look exactly like the photos?
Nearly. The material contains natural fibres, so colour and grain shift a little from batch to batch.
What age are the kits for?
The kits are made for adults and teenagers. They contain small parts: keep them out of reach of young children.
Payment
Which payment methods do you accept?
Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Is payment secure?
Yes. Payments are processed by Stripe, certified PCI DSS Level 1, with 3‑D Secure authentication. Your card details are never stored on our servers.
Do prices include VAT? What about customs?
Yes, our prices include VAT and your invoice shows it. Since everything ships from France, there are no customs fees within the European Union. Outside the European Union, import duties and taxes may be charged on delivery, payable by the recipient.
Returns and refunds
Can I return a kit?
Yes, within 14 days of delivery, if it is complete and unassembled. Email contact@atlas-kinetics.net: we send you the steps and, in France, a prepaid return label.
When will I be refunded?
No later than 14 days after we receive and check the return, to your original payment method.
Who pays for return shipping?
We do if the mistake is ours (non-conforming kit, packing error, damaged parcel). For a simple change of mind, return costs are yours: in France, the cost of the prepaid label is deducted from your refund.
Another question
Write to the workshop: a person replies within 24 business hours, Monday to Friday.
Write to the workshop