Interview
THOMAS FRICK important to make the entire system sufficiently accessible. We now have a system that is self-stabilized and therefore we can position our furniture modules almost freely in the vehicle. In the future, we are in a position to produce our own ground plans, which give us completely new possibilities.
re - materials that are rarely used in furniture construction for caravans. In addition, we use furniture made from EPP – expanded polypropylene. This gives us completely new design possibilities. Because we are able to shape this material, we can integrate additional functions. This also works well with wood, but it is a very elaborate process, since construction requires the use of numerous parts. Now we can integrate everything into the mould tool, which saves us additional weight. Especially with the combination of new lightweight construction materials in sandwich construction in the wood area on the one hand and the EPP on the other hand, we have been able to achieve very good results. This has the consequence that the entire manufacturing and processing has changed. It is no longer possible to saw, mill and connect everything as it is now. You can't affix anything by driving a screw into foam. This is why we have devised new connectivity solutions.
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The connectors are embedded in the sandwich. By sequence that the entire working and processing has changed. It is no longer possible to saw, mill and connect everything as it is now. Youn can't fix anything with a screw in the foam. This is why we have devised new connectivity solutions. The connectors are in the sandwich. By means of ultrasound, the connecting element is heated for a very short time, that gives an intimate material connection between the outer layers and with a similar high tearing strength that is achieved with conventional material. The result is excellent. Currently, this is not possible with other processes in the sandwich. In addition, we glue the surface elements, such as side walls, together in such a way that we obtain an extremely stable structure which no longer requires the furniture as static support. If they drive today with a classic caravan without furniture, the vehicle would be broken within a few kilometers. There is no sufficient stability. The furniture is
Do you know already a price for this product? Is it much more compared to a traditional caravan? We now have a few things that are exceptional at Travelino. At the moment, we assume that we will have a very good level of equipment and furnishings. We do not want to offer a normal standard but products at the highest level - also in every detail. One example of our premium equipment is the new underfloor heating system. It gives us more space in the vehicle, however its cost is high. We have other issues in preparation that do not make the standards comparable. The Travelino is certainly a little more expensive than a standard caravan. If, however, we produce corresponding volumes in three to four years, then a relative price neutrality is probable. The integration of the new technologies means, of course, new work processes in production. In order to achieve this, we will massively expand the production site at our German headquarters in Jandelsbrunn. In 2017, we will invest a total of 33 million euros. This means that we achieve a higher level of automation through the installation of a new technical system that offers significantly more process reliability. Ultimately, the issue of quality is given a higher priority because the bonding process must be defined as precisely as possible. We will avoid screw connections if possible and are therefore in the need of an increase in process reliability. The frame is of course a very important module for us. Besides the optics and the low weight, it offers the possibility to implement additional functions. This allows us to distinguish ourselves further from the competition.