Fergal
Another highly informative day. We visited the main factory of Dimplex where they produce all their heat pumps for the European market. Their range covers over 250 different heat pumps and each is assembled by hand. All joints are braised together by a highly skilled operative. When you see the level of care and quality control put into the manufacturing process you start to understand why heat pumps cost so much more than gas boilers. We were treated to the whole manufacturing process and rewarded with a Bavarian beer before heading back.
Will
An invaluable and educational trip to the Dimplex factory where we were able to see how they put their Heat Pumps together. Seeing all the components at each stage of the construction line gave a new perspective on how the technology works. The tour also gave an insight to how the Heat Pump manufacturing market works. A great day which would not be possible in the UK.
Graham
Dimplex today to see how the work in the class room is put into practice, all found the visit of interest, test in the morning full solarteur for part of the group wish us luck all.
Dan
Was great to have a look round the Dimplex factory today. A large range of products are produced at the factory often in very small batches. All the heat pumps and refrigeration units rely heavily on skilled brazer and all the assembly is done by hand which was really interesting to see. An impressive set up and a great look at the manufacturing process.
Murdo
After spending the week learning about heat pumps, it was brilliant to have the opportunity to have a look round a fully functioning manufacturing heat pump factory. We had a comprehensive tour of each stage of the heat pump assembly from the brazing to the final insulation and testing. Very interesting.
Shaun
Our visit to the Glen Dimplex factory in Kulmbach was extremely interesting. It allowed us to see what components and manufacturing processes are involved in the production of a variety of Dimplex products, including heat pumps of all types and sizes and storage heaters for the Japanese markets.
The sheer scale of hand manufacture we saw today gives valid reason for the cost of Dimplex units.
This gave me a sense of the quality level that can be achieved, but also puts into question the quality of other manufacturers that provide substantially cheaper products.
Oliver
Today the excursion to Glen Dimplex was very interesting and informative. We were introduced to the production and factory plant potential of the Dimplex group. We were then taken on a guided tour, through the whole production and assembly process of Dimplex.
Colin
In the previous days in class we learnt about all the different parts that make up the heat pumps. Today we were treated to a visit to Dimplex Factory. Our full tour of the plant was very informative. We were able to see the real thing starting from raw copper tube, through the engineering process, final assembly lines and the finished product ready to ship to site. It really consolidated the taught lessons.
Reuben
The visit to Dimplex started with an introduction by the Production Manager of the company and the related products manufactured at the Kulmbach one of the many factories of the Dimplex Group. We were then taken on a guided tour of the factory starting with the sheet metal work for their cabinets. Dimplex has machinery that is able to produce high volume cabinets for their products with easy switchover to different products dependent on customer demand. We were then taken through their braising section and then through their final assembly fortunate to witness the assembly of some of their larger , charging with refrigerant and testing the performance of the system. Dimplex have managed to reduce the time taken for assembly and testing of a unit down to around an impressive 20 minutes per unit.
Craig
A great day out to the Dimplex factory. There never is a substitute for seeing hardware (let alone how they are made and assembled). Such visits are in my opinion invaluable in the understanding of new technologies and as such, have instilled within each learner an appreciation of how effective they are as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
Jamie
Trip to Dimplex factory was very useful, gave a good insight into the volume of heat pumps produced and the process involved. Seeing different components helps make sense of the diagrams in the tutorial.
