Wille 475 is the first of the fourth generation of Wille environmental management machines that look completely different than their predecessors. The new look aims to highlight the modern work machine’s agility and applicability to its diverse work tasks.
The design of Wille 475 focused specifically on the customer’s needs. Visibility from the unique panoramic cab was one crucial criterion where no compromises were made. Its development was monitored incessantly as the work progressed. Similarly, ease of maintenance and having a look that could be adapted to the customer’s brand were important guiding factors in the design work.
Wille and Muodonmuutos in close cooperation
The updated exterior of Wille 475 originates in the sketches of Antti Lindström, an industrial designer at Wille Machines Oy, that Muodonmuutos then finished into realizable designs. The machine found its final form in collaboration between Muodonmuutos and Wille’s design department.
The look was conceptualised and realised in parallel with the development of frame parts and technical aspects: when the technical solutions changed places or sizes, the concept could be quickly adapted in the 3D model.
Muodonmuutos’ role was, first and foremost, to design the easily replaceable body cover parts that are manufactured using negative pressure moulding, to develop their fabricability and finally model them into production-ready files. These are the yellow parts on the machines in the pictures. The black metallic part under the exhaust that prevents the user from burning their fingers is also a Muodonmuutos design.
Distinct looks with replaceable covers
Easily replaceable body covers are not a new innovation per se, but with Wille 475 they enabled a completely new way to think about how the machine’s look could be adapted.
In the olden days, the entire machine was painted in the customer’s colours, which was quite laborious. The new design thinking was to standardise the machine’s body colour and create the colour scheme using smaller cover parts. Thanks to this solution, Wille machines can be easily personalised to bear the colours of the customer’s brand.
Maintenance made easy
It is our belief that aesthetic factors are at least half the meal, even in the design of work machines, but we also pay diligent attention to good maintainability. This was also the case with Wille, and maintainability was constantly considered when shaping the body covers.
For example, the bonnet is easy to slide backwards and lift out entirely. It was ensured in the bonnet’s design that the plastic parts would not be first ones to touch the ground when the bonnet is laid on the floor for the duration of maintenance.
Durable, cost-effective and sensible to attach
In addition to replaceability, the cover parts must be durable, cost-effective to manufacture and sensible to attach.
The material used in Wille’s plastic cover parts was developed in cooperation with the material manufacturer using a special plastic mixture that was modified to be more durable for use in harsh winter conditions. The material used in the covers is 100 % recyclable.
One should note that no attempt has been made to hide or cover the attachment points on the body covers but they have been lefty openly visible instead. The reasons for this conscious decision were both aesthetic and practical. Firstly, the visible attachment points highlight Wille’s work machine nature and robust impression. Secondly, changing the covers becomes easier when the attachment points are already visible.
Wille environmental management machines are manufactured by Wille Machines Oy, which is part of the Finnish-rooted Wihuri conglomerate. Wille machines bear the Finnish Key Flag symbol. They are designed and manufactured in Finland and their parts are sourced from domestic suppliers whenever possible.