Free kite plans on GitHub

[PanTau]

Did you ever wanted to build your own kite?

I recently published the plans for two of my tube kites on GitHub. Beside the DXF kite plans you will find the 3D models (blender file) and all the technical data calculated by my WingCalc software http://www.wingworks.de/kite-design/3d- ... -wingcalc/.



Ventus



The Ventus is a Single-Strut Freeride Kite and it's easy to build and fly. You can find lots of pics (also from other sizes and kites) on my homepage: http://www.wingworks.de/kites/ventus/#flug

Project on GitHub: https://github.com/wingworks/Ventus-S

GO

The GO is a my latest design and still in alpha stage. It's based on the Ventus but with 3-Struts and hence with a different canopy shape. You can build the first prototype and test and improove the design!

Project on GitHub: https://github.com/wingworks/GO

Step by step instruction to build a kite (german only): http://www.wingworks.de/bauanleitungen/ ... anleitung/

Have fun and please feel free to send me your feedback, ideas, comments!
PanTau

[Blackrat]

that ventus looks like it will be sweet for hydrofoiling !

[tautologies]

Excellent. I was just going to suggest using JSON to export, but then I saw it is at the top of your list.

I think two things;;;the software is needed..unless I missed something I do not think there is any utility except looking at the designs without the software.
Secondly someone needs to be able to print the actual kites in super small quantities. Neither of these should be impossible, but I bet pretty prohibitively expensive for the average guy. My sewing skills will never be good enough to make a kite.

[PanTau]

the software is needed..unless I missed something I do not think there is any utility except looking at the designs without the software.

Beside the DXF kite plan there is always a *.blend file in the release package (Ventus-S_v1.0.zip). You can open it with the OpenSource Software "Blender" https://www.blender.org/ and view the 3D Model of the kite in detail.

[tautologies]

the software is needed..unless I missed something I do not think there is any utility except looking at the designs without the software.

Beside the DXF kite plan there is always a *.blend file in the release package (Ventus-S_v1.0.zip). You can open it with the OpenSource Software "Blender" https://www.blender.org/ and view the 3D Model of the kite in detail.

Sweet. What is the plan with the software? I'm just curious. Maybe release it as a subscription software? Are you going to help people to get to actually building a kite as well? I am just curious. If you don't want to answer that is fine. I'll just assume I am right hehe

[longwhitecloud]

nice work! i am going to make one, i got the panels laser cut years ago using surfplan and sewed a 12m together but technology has moved on and for sure it will be better this time.

[PanTau]

What is the plan with the software?

I'm working on an online version so that you can create and view the 3d kite model in your browser and download the plans as pfd or dxf files. But this will still take some time since this is only one of my hobbies and there are more than 100 parameters to be documented
Until then you can send me your design parameters and requirements and I will return you the plan

Are you going to help people to get to actually building a kite as well?

For sure, that's what I already did during the last couple of years. It's always very helpful to get feedback from other DIY kite builders about the designs, instructions and the software. Especially since there are no reasonable kite spots around where I live. I should rather design paragliders or mountainbikes

[tautologies]

haha no no you misunderstand...I'm not asking or help per se. I am sure there are enough tinkerers that are willing to pay a bit for a good software. I think the building of the kite is a business in it self. You "just" have make it cost efficient to do so at low volumes. People, I think, could be willing to pay for this service. I'm kind of suggesting you try to make it a business.

You could pose the question here...what is it worth to people. If you give away the software..how many will use your services to actually print the kite. How many will use consultancy for the last percent. Etc. Anyways.

I don;t know enough about the industry, but I assume most companies have prototypes made by the same factory that produce the whole lineup. I bet there are a lot of delays in this process..which is a cost..because the factories are generally set up for larger scale than one offs.

A.

[longwhitecloud]

i took my dxf file to a sailmaker with a laser cutter - they cut all panels out, i double side sticky taped it together and then sewed it all up - had some help sewing but got the hang of it eventually. takes a lot of time but was fun. the kite sucked tho! lol

[Europ2]

Did you ever wanted to build your own kite?

I recently published the plans for two of my tube kites on GitHub. Beside the DXF kite plans you will find the 3D models (blender file) and all the technical data calculated by my WingCalc software http://www.wingworks.de/kite-design/3d- ... -wingcalc/.

Have fun and please feel free to send me your feedback, ideas, comments!
PanTau

Congratulations. So much work.
I was thinking there were only 2 kite design programs avaiable, SurfPlan from Australia and iKDesign from France http://wingdesignsoftware.net/indexEN.htm. Both sites seem to have stopped their news in .... 2013.

Have you ever published on
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Inflatodesign/ or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Foildesign/ ?

The Ventus is a Single-Strut Freeride Kite and it's easy to build and fly. You can find lots of pics (also from other sizes and kites) on my homepage: http://www.wingworks.de/kites/ventus/#flug

To simplify the sewing process, have you ever tried to design a strutless kite ?