Attention: TDR Forum Junkies I just met up with a friend who is connected directly with a Vacuum forming plastic manufacturer. They produce just about anything you can think of from CNC 3 axis routered molds. The plastic is then heated and pulled over the form using vacuum pressure. The process itself is really impressive just to watch from start to finish. I'm sure it will end up on the "how its made" shows or "hands on history" pretty soon if it hasn't already.
My initial though upon looking at their product samples was custom gauge pods like Autometer sells for A pillars etc. The difference is, the can produce any size gauge cluster or configuration you can think of. If you think of all the trim planels in a car that are form casted like this, you'll start to see the benefits their service can provide a diesel repower project. Especially if you're looking for a factory appearance when finished.
I am going to have them produce drawer liners for my big roll chest tool box so all my tools are shadowed/silhouetted into form fitted homes. If you have ever seen an aviation mechanics flight line tool box, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Alot of tools come from the store in blister cases, but they take up so much room when left in the original boxes, by copying the blister cases and reconfiguring the layout to group the contents of a drawer closer together, you can fit several times the amount of tooling in a given space,(and still see its missing at a glance, not to mention make even the inexperienced/ dumbest shop help find the right spot for things to go back in).
I am looking into redesigning the cup holder/ shifter base in my '96 dodge to allow cups to be on the floor and not hanging off of the face of my radio on the dash. If I get something prototyped, I'll post some pics back here for it.
While it takes a little to initially figure out the design of something for marketing, I can't think of a better place than the TDR forum to ask for ideas to expand their market they service currently.
A friend of mine had them design a hose sled for concrete pumping that resembles an old black plastic ash tray like you see in most diners. It can handle hose diameters up to 3" and is smooth on the base to help laborers drag hoses for pumping on rough ground.
If anyone can think of a need for this, let me know. I am hoping to offer them enough marketable ideas to get a working relationship going with them. They will produce anything you can think of on a one off base, but its more costly until you hit a reasonable quantity. I asked if 50 was enough and he said it would be more than plenty to give a good deal on things. I'll post some pics of their product samples next time I meet with them.
To give you an example of an existing product on the market that I immediately thought of is coverlay ABS plastic dash pads.
They have the means to also work with extruded Lexan to produce things like bubbled moon roofs or canopy's like you see on small air craft. R/C car, plane, boat bodies.
Let me know if anyone is interested. I personally think the possibilities for repowered trucks as well as custom stereo installs is endless using this technology.
My initial though upon looking at their product samples was custom gauge pods like Autometer sells for A pillars etc. The difference is, the can produce any size gauge cluster or configuration you can think of. If you think of all the trim planels in a car that are form casted like this, you'll start to see the benefits their service can provide a diesel repower project. Especially if you're looking for a factory appearance when finished.
I am going to have them produce drawer liners for my big roll chest tool box so all my tools are shadowed/silhouetted into form fitted homes. If you have ever seen an aviation mechanics flight line tool box, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Alot of tools come from the store in blister cases, but they take up so much room when left in the original boxes, by copying the blister cases and reconfiguring the layout to group the contents of a drawer closer together, you can fit several times the amount of tooling in a given space,(and still see its missing at a glance, not to mention make even the inexperienced/ dumbest shop help find the right spot for things to go back in).
I am looking into redesigning the cup holder/ shifter base in my '96 dodge to allow cups to be on the floor and not hanging off of the face of my radio on the dash. If I get something prototyped, I'll post some pics back here for it.
While it takes a little to initially figure out the design of something for marketing, I can't think of a better place than the TDR forum to ask for ideas to expand their market they service currently.
A friend of mine had them design a hose sled for concrete pumping that resembles an old black plastic ash tray like you see in most diners. It can handle hose diameters up to 3" and is smooth on the base to help laborers drag hoses for pumping on rough ground.
If anyone can think of a need for this, let me know. I am hoping to offer them enough marketable ideas to get a working relationship going with them. They will produce anything you can think of on a one off base, but its more costly until you hit a reasonable quantity. I asked if 50 was enough and he said it would be more than plenty to give a good deal on things. I'll post some pics of their product samples next time I meet with them.
To give you an example of an existing product on the market that I immediately thought of is coverlay ABS plastic dash pads.
They have the means to also work with extruded Lexan to produce things like bubbled moon roofs or canopy's like you see on small air craft. R/C car, plane, boat bodies.
Let me know if anyone is interested. I personally think the possibilities for repowered trucks as well as custom stereo installs is endless using this technology.
