A forum for van conversions, van living and travel

The vanlife => Common Room => Topic started by: Splash Carpentry on October 13, 2017, 10:24:09 AM

Title: Custom build
Post by: Splash Carpentry on October 13, 2017, 10:24:09 AM
We are planning to use a very sophisticated laser scanning system and create a 3D model for every type of van that is sold on the U.S. market. If we succeed, we will have a database with over a hundred models and we will be able to create everything from shelving to cabinets and even bed frames that would fit perfectly. Please let us know what your thoughts are, your feedback is very important to us. Thank you in advance, the Splash Carpentry team.

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http://bit.ly/2yzGIeP (http://bit.ly/2yzGIeP)

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http://bit.ly/WebsiteSplash (http://bit.ly/WebsiteSplash)
Title: Re: Custom build
Post by: Camper_Dan on October 13, 2017, 10:26:16 PM
Sounds like an ambitious task...

Wouldn't it make better sense to spend your money and efforts on marketing, then do your 3D scans as a customer brings you a van?  You are likely to encounter vans in various states of builds, that you can't really plan ahead for.  Many of the people that I have encountered that might be interested in your work bought an already converted van, and they like certain features and want to keep them, but change some of the other features...

Having ideas are great, having the skills, tools, and access to the necessary materials is even better, but marketing and sales or the lack of them, is the make or break point of too many businesses.  I've seen too many idiots succeed and brilliant, skilled people  fail, all because of the marketing and sales aspect.  Very few people are good at everything...  The old saying about "If you build a better mouse trap, they'll beat a path to your door." is only partially true...  First they have to know about it.

Good Luck & Best Wishes!

 
Title: Re: Custom build
Post by: Splash Carpentry on November 01, 2017, 08:23:20 AM
Thank you for your feedback!
I talked to many people and everybody sees this idea differently.
I think we will organize and prepare to customize and be very flexible.
Title: Re: Custom build
Post by: peeela on November 29, 2017, 03:36:20 PM
Great idea.

I bought a couple of outdated and incomplete 3D models from TurboSquid for design thinking, layout mix-and-match.

They were so inaccurate, I sort of just stopped using them. Now that I'm getting really close to installing components, I have been using an digital laser tape measure.

Having a precise model of every nook and not straight wall of a Sprinter 140/MWB would be awesome.

Seems like keeping all of those models up to date would be a full time job. e.g. I'm in Aus, so RHD version, and 4x4 3.0 L are just so rare.


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Title: Re: Custom build
Post by: Splash Carpentry on December 11, 2017, 01:16:58 PM
We just launched a very ambitious campaign on Kickstarter hoping that in a few years we will be able to have a van protection kit for every model sold in the United States. Please let us know what you think. Your opinion is very important to us.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1855385287/van-protection-kit (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1855385287/van-protection-kit)
Title: Re: Custom build
Post by: Camper_Dan on December 12, 2017, 08:18:16 AM
I think you're missing the boat by calling it a van protection kit.  A "Van Conversion Kit" would likely attract many more relevant customers...
Title: Re: Custom build
Post by: Splash Carpentry on December 13, 2017, 12:14:51 PM
Quote from: Camper_Dan on December 12, 2017, 08:18:16 AM
I think you're missing the boat by calling it a van protection kit.  A "Van Conversion Kit" would likely attract many more relevant customers...

We could not use the term "conversion" because it is not a conversion. We take an empty van and we install protection in it. It would be nice to use it but we were legally advised not to.
Title: Re: Custom build
Post by: Camper_Dan on December 15, 2017, 02:00:20 AM
You're converting an empty van  into a more usable space...  If that isn't a conversion, I don't know what is.  Maybe you need a new attorney that isn't getting paid more by the competition...

Even a "Cargo van insulation and shelving kit" would be more descriptive.  A "protection kit" sounds more like an alarm or burglary prevention kit.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Custom build
Post by: Splash Carpentry on January 05, 2018, 08:18:52 AM
We made it on kickstarter! Our Artek Leo laser scanner is coming! There is still time to pledge and take advantage of our offers.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1855385287/van-protection-kit (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1855385287/van-protection-kit)