Hi guys, apologies for no updates recently. Been absent due to declining health and eventual passing of my Dad. Starting to get back on track now though.
We've finalised the design of the first box at 55 litres (578mmx440mmx342mm). We've got a plan to design a series of box sizes now that compete with the Space Cases and Tuff boxes etc. but that actually seal properly, have no metal parts, are designed for the 4wd, camping and quad bike market primarily, but also the marine industry etc. We also want to price these realistically and think we can do this.
Its been a steep learning curve for sure and we have had some fantastic support from the likes of Brad McCarthy from MaxTrax and Michael McMillan from Australian Expedition Vehicles amongst others. Yes, it does have tapered sides and an outside lip but this is necessary for Injection Moulding to work properly. Tapering the sides was a big decision to make, but a vertical sided box with the lip on the outside would also 'waste' that space in between boxes. It's all a compromise. Tapering brought significant cost savings too. Mostly in freight because the boxes will 'nest' when stacked in towers on a pallet or when empty and stacked in the side of the shed at home. We did however keep the taper absolutely minimised and put a step in it for strength and to keep the sides as vertical as possible but still smooth for easy wiping out.
The lids come off and will also stack nicely on top of each other. The box is also lockable with three different size padlocks in two places.
PastedGraphic-16 by Ben Kincade,
PastedGraphic-15 by Ben Kincade,
PastedGraphic-18 by Ben Kincade,
The grip area on the ends of the box has been loaded with ribs to prevent fingers jamming and also to add strength to the lip.
You can also see the tie-down points on each corner. These are for turn-buckles or ropes. They are 12mm wide, reinforced and rounded off so ropes won't wear on square edges. Using these points means you can access the box contents without having to undo ratchet straps, another reason for the lip on the outside.
The lid profile also retains ratchet straps in place in the grooves, as well as facilitates stacking of other boxes so they won't move around.
If anyone has any further suggestions I am all ears. We are getting really keen to bust out a prototype and test it all.
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