Everything can go in a container: from idea to implementation
Within HCM, the technical draughtsman plays a central role in the container modification process. We take the idea that anything can go in a container very literally, but the details must be properly worked out on paper before it can be made. Once a quote has been approved, our technical draughtsman Wojciech starts drawing.
While the workshop takes care of the physical implementation, Wojciech creates a 3D design based on the customer's idea. And all this despite the fact that Wojciech started out in a supporting role on the shop floor. From cleaning and spraying containers to designing the coolest modified containers.
From sketch to technical drawing
“I don't have direct contact with the customer myself. The sales department comes to me with the customer's questions and ideas, and together we look at how we can process them,” Wojciech explains. The requirements are collected and the technical draughtsman gets to work on the initial sketches. A good example is a 40-foot container that has been fully customized to a customer's exact specifications, or a damaged container that has been completely restored, including the replacement of a cut-out section.
Most of the work is done digitally, using programs such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Autodesk Inventor. Wojciech explains: “In Poland, I worked in the sanitary sector as a structural engineer, and I already used AutoCAD in that role. I also received a lot of help from colleagues and Hacon itself with SketchUp and Autodesk Inventor.” Thanks to this software, it is possible not only to design functionally, but also to provide visual insight into what the end result will look like.
Between office and workshop
Although most of the work is done behind a computer screen, the practical side is never far away. Wojciech tries to walk to the workshop every day. “I check how the modifications are progressing and ask if everything is clear.” This allows him to check how the windows are being installed, how the steel frame is being constructed, and the spaces. “It's a great feeling to see a container built exactly according to your drawings.”
Wojciech regularly visits the workshop. Not only to see his drawings become reality, but also to identify improvements for his next drawing. “By seeing how something is made, you learn a lot about the practical side of things. You see where things get tight, what is easy to assemble, and what could be improved. You then incorporate that into the next design.” Wojciech also regularly asks for help from colleagues in the office or workshop, who are always happy to assist.
A job with a future
The role of technical draughtsman within HCM has only become more important. Wojciech explains that he now not only has sales staff at his desk, but also electricians and mechanics. Due to the growth, increasingly complex drawings are being added with additional floor plans and 3D models. “I think the role of draughtsman has become indispensable.”
Wojciech also says that he has been enjoying his time in the Netherlands immensely since moving here. He finds charm in the cobblestone streets, canals, and waterworks. He also says that he is impressed by the civil engineering feats in the Netherlands. Thanks to Wojciech's skills as a draughtsman and the employees at the workshop, we are able to live up to our slogan, “Everything fits in a container,” on a daily basis. Would you like to know what we can do for you? Please feel free to contact us!
