david506th
Adventurer
Labor / Materials and the poly/plastics manufacturing industry is massive in China/Taiwan compared to USA.
Possible new supplier of fiberglass composite panels to North America
- Thread starter Victorian
- Start date
dwh
Tail-End Charlie
Isn't everything these days?
david506th
Adventurer
Not sure why we need to go to China since truck cargo bodies can be built here in the USA. Morgan has their own team of mechanical engineers. Working with them and a company like Craftsmen Industries, who make mobile concession and event trailers, anything is possible.
Can the panels themselves be used as a structural component or will there have to be a substantial framework to support and connect them together?
Morgan Cargo Body Parts Catalog
Can the panels themselves be used as a structural component or will there have to be a substantial framework to support and connect them together?
Morgan Cargo Body Parts Catalog
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Victorian
Approved Vendor : Total Composites
I'm all for buying local and having a good paying job myself... Therefore I should explain the manufacturing location. The factory is a joint venture between a very smart chinese business man and my dad. The main market is Asia. North America is only a "maybe" at this point. I have been there myself, toured several factories and I was more than impressed with the build quality, workplace safety and how the workers are being taken care of! There are even vegetable gardens around the properties for the employees. The machinery is nicer and newer than anything I have seen in North America.
To answer your question: the panels are self supporting, no other internal structure needed. Therefore there wont be any coldbridges.
More details to come when we have things figured out. Thx!
To answer your question: the panels are self supporting, no other internal structure needed. Therefore there wont be any coldbridges.
More details to come when we have things figured out. Thx!
So true!
Here's a quote I got from Morgan though Craftsmen Industries on a FRP cargo body. Its just a body shipped without a rear door assembly, Morgan was to supply a blank rear FRP panel to cover the opening. Any and all internal fit-out and installation of windows and doors could be DIY. The body comes with a 5 year limited warranty.
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mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
I think for a 'square box' the commercial truck box companies can not be beat. Maybe not the sexiest material and a pretty standard built, but they have 100,000 of manhours in experience and the boxes are built like brick outhouses. I've hit my commercial box's forward roof edge into a 6x16 gluelam beam with no damage. They will add windows (even opening concession windows that fully open), doors were you want them, etc and I'm sure for the same box you got an $8k quote for, it would be $30k+ for a sexy 'expo box'.
I'm looking for panels as my future box will not be square (see the link in my signature link), so I'm pretty much on my own
david506th
Adventurer
Hope to hear something soon as we are right at the time to buy our panels.
Victorian
Approved Vendor : Total Composites
Sorry for the long wait! I receipt the first shipment of samples and they are awesome!!!
Judging by all the private messages, there is a great demand for sandwich panels. We are currently working on all the legal stuff, website, brochures and doing tons of product development for overland traveling. We are also working on complete flat packed boxes! We will have standard and custom sizes available. All that's needed is a dry and level work surface and some hand tools. We are very excited to serve North America with new and innovative products.
Good things need time :chef:
Cheers
Judging by all the private messages, there is a great demand for sandwich panels. We are currently working on all the legal stuff, website, brochures and doing tons of product development for overland traveling. We are also working on complete flat packed boxes! We will have standard and custom sizes available. All that's needed is a dry and level work surface and some hand tools. We are very excited to serve North America with new and innovative products.
Good things need time :chef:
Cheers
biggoolies
Adventurer
So if we make boxes out of these panels, how strong would they be, waterproof and what glue do you use?
Victorian
Approved Vendor : Total Composites
Great questions!
Strength: The panels are self supporting. That means that no metal or wood inserts are needed within the sandwich. This will guarantee you are not getting any cold bridges. The outside layer is 2-3mm fiberglass and is industry standard. It has been proven tough enough over the years in the expedition vehicle industry. I have actually seen a Unimog camper that rolled down a mountain side... The Unimog was trashed, the living quarters where mostly intact and could be fixed.
Water proofness: If the boxes are assembled as we recommend, there is virtually no chance you will ever get any water inside the box or inside the sandwich panel.
Adhesive: We recommend Koerapur 125. A german made product that is not only certified food safe (when cured) but also the best on the market for this task. It will of course be available through us.
In addition to that, we are currently developing fiberglass extrusions to make panel assembly as easy as possible. All you need to do is to cut your panels and extrusions to size, apply the adhesive and slide everything together! Of course this is just a very quick run down how it works.... I would recommend cutting out the windows/door and hatches before... Also recommended is the mounting of the subframe before the assembly of the box
In any case, anyone that has a little bit of skill and the ability to follow instructions can do it. The result will be a tough, well insulated and self supporting living quarters.
Cheers
mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
Sounds great.
I really like the fact that you are making your own extrusions out of fiberglass also. Any change you will be making those in 45 degree angles in addtion to I'm sure the normal 90 degree?
