Aluula? New Revolutionary Material from Ocean Rodeo

[iriejohn]

The other factor not touched on in the last few posts is the increased rigidity of the airframe apparently afforded by the use of both aluula bladder in conjunction with the aluula tube. Could conceivably lead to very thin struts and LE which touches off a whole new realm of design potential.

IF this material pans out it could take a few years to see it's full potential.

Agree.

[iriejohn]

I wonder why at the moment only OR seems to be really into the game with aluula. If I'm not wrong it's not something they own exclusively, so why none of the big fishes jumped in? Are they waiting to see if it works at OR expenses (maybe OR in their vision is not a "dangerous" competitor)?

The "big fishes" have "jumped in", they're just not yet going public.

[droffats]

My first impression video. Feedback from O.R. already schooled me on a few things: That is the bag it will come with (lightweight), as it's pre-production, not all will look identical to this one in the small details, they are using Teijen Technoforce D2 on Aluula kites and 2020 legacy construction kites,



http://www.adventurekiteboarding.com/20 ... f731fbd4b0

414-367-WAVE

[foilholio]

Thread count looks a little low.

[droffats]

Somehow Aluula doesn't rely on thread count for strength.

I opened up the zipper and found style bladders in the kite. Must be another factor of a pre-production model. The production kites with the lighter bladders.

- Stafford

[Faxie]

It looks and sounds like that stuff cheap woven plastic shopping bags are made of. Does it feel like that too?

[iriejohn]

Thread count looks a little low.

Looks "a little low" compared to what?

[nixmatters]

Thread count looks a little low.

Looks "a little low" compared to what?

+1
apparently compared to >2x heavier and much stiffer dacron, where a lower thread count would need a thinner (breaking) needle.
Apart from the LE closing seam, in all other loaded seams the sheer strength of the double adhesive tape bonding does the job, right? The seams are there mainly to prevent peeling of the adhesive. And that PSA should bond even better to the Aluula surface.

LE closing - 2 paralel seams with higher stitch density (same seam strenght as heavier count thread), running very close so the inner one is not just a 'safety' seam. Looks good to me.

Somehow Aluula doesn't rely on thread count for strength.
- Stafford

Stafford, can we please have a few more photos of the LE closing seam? Thanks

[thewindego]

Lets see the tomahawk tests :0

[foilholio]

Thread count looks a little low.

Looks "a little low" compared to what?

The canopy fabric, and other kite fabrics.

in all other loaded seams the sheer strength of the double adhesive tape bonding does the job, right? The seams are there mainly to prevent peeling of the adhesive. And that PSA should bond even better to the Aluula surface.

Relying on adhesive could be interesting in a few years.

Somehow Aluula doesn't rely on thread count for strength.

Did it ever? Higher thread count just is a nicer looking and more stable fabric. I am not sure why in this and previous dyneema fabrics they have chosen lamination over more weaving.