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Technology
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3DL S-serisi Genova. |
| In
late spring of 1992, North Sails introduced a revolutionary new sail
making technology called 3DL™. Instead of assembling a sail out of
pieces of flat sailcloth, the 3DL manufacturing process molds sails
three-dimensionally in a single, seamless piece. |
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| 1.
3DL begins with a three dimensional CAD/CAE design file. North's
proprietary design software creates a custom "mold" file for
each individual sail. Because a 3DL sail stretches so little, designers
can precisely define a desired "flying shape" the sail will take
when sailing. |
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A sophisticated computer program reads the design file, then instructs an
articulating mold to assume the designed shape. Mylar film is then draped
over the mold and tensioned. The 3DL plant currently contains 6
molds, with #7 under construction. |
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An armature suspended from a moving gantry over- head then applies
structural fiber onto the surface of the film. The computerized armature
"draws" a pattern that precisely matches anticipated loads in
the sail. Threads are applied under uniform tension and adhere to the
surface of the film.Once the yarns are laid,
a second film is positioned on top of the sail, which is then covered with
a large vacuum bag that compresses the laminate.
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3DL S-series MainSail
The performance timing
is doubled by these sails.
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4.
The gantry head is then removed and replaced with a radiant heating element that
cures the pressurized laminate. After curing, the sail is left on the mold to
"set" the shape. |
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5.
When the laminate has cured, corner reinforcements, bolt ropes, batten
pockets and protective patches are applied by hand. The finished sail,
produced in one continuous piece, is up to 30% lighter than a conventional
sail. Weight savings are achieved principally by a more efficient
application of material in relation to stresses in the sail. |
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Teknolojisinin
farkı |
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| Paneled sails are made by shaping flat panels
of sailcloth, then assembling them to form a curved surface. To visualize
this, take a look at the photo to the left. The aluminum vent is
equivalent to a paneled sail, a curved form made up of flat sections joined
together.
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A 3DL sail is like the white molded elbow, with
smooth, compound curvature in all directions.
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This distributes loads
evenly and efficiently up and down the sail, allowing a given weight of yarn
to perform better (stretch less). The shape of a molded membrane is also
less affected by the inevitable shrinkage that all sails experience over
time. |
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| Lighter
weight, less stretch, wider wind range, remarkable smoothness, faster
acceleration, extended aerodynamic life, easier handling... that's the 3DL
difference. |
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That
information has been taken from the web site of the North Sai
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Copyright
© 2002 North Sails
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