Free kite plans on GitHub

[nixmatters]

i made a custom GO 9m² because i just keep one strut. The LE and the one strut is made with cuben fiber . the total weight: 1,55Kg. with hydrofoil is just magic because the kite flight in very light wind. thanks panthau for this works.

Cool! Which CF did you use?

[VP22]

i made a custom GO 9m² because i just keep one strut. The LE and the one strut is made with cuben fiber . the total weight: 1,55Kg. with hydrofoil is just magic because the kite flight in very light wind. thanks panthau for this works.

Cool! Which CF did you use?

Sorry what's CF? . for LE and stout: cuben fiber 50g/sqm and for the spinnaker fabrics: maxikote natural MK70P contenter.

[kiteykitekite]

Cuben Fiber and you said it too....

[nixmatters]

i made a custom GO 9m² because i just keep one strut. The LE and the one strut is made with cuben fiber . the total weight: 1,55Kg. with hydrofoil is just magic because the kite flight in very light wind. thanks panthau for this works.

Cool! Which CF did you use?

Sorry what's CF? . for LE and stout: cuben fiber 50g/sqm and for the spinnaker fabrics: maxikote natural MK70P contenter.

CF = Cuben Fiber, now rebranded to DCF = Dyneema Composite Fabrics.

At 50gsm must be CT5K18? I was considering for LE/struts the 100gsm version with additional woven layer (40D or 50D taffeta I think) to hold seams better.
Another option was (not sure still available) the CT5HBK with added yarn layers in bias (-45/+45°), hell expensive but virtually indestructible.

How did you reinforce the LE segment and closing seams - Cuben Fiber adhesive tape or Insignia.. or both?

Any issues with Cuben Fiber shrinkage?

Great ripstop choice! A friend of mine made years ago a light wind kite out of Contender MK70P (35gsm), still holding up pretty good!
Later on he switched to MK100P (50gsm) and this is probably the best canopy ripstop for DIYers, unfortunately available only in white and occasionally in red and blue.

Last question - what bladder thickness did you use?

Thanks and keep pushing the limits!

[VP22]

For LE segment: just insignia tape with french sweing. No problem with cuben fiber possible shrinkage. I can inflate the LE about 0.8: it's very hard and rigid. I think i can inflate with more pressure but it's enough at 0.8.
For personal use it's a pleasure but the kite is less durable for sure. It's not a problem for me because i take care of my kites.
the real problem is the bladder because the all kite fabric finish (with bridles) weight is 0,900Kg and the bladder weight is 0.650Kg. i have find only bladder thickness at 0.10 and it's very very heavy, too heavy. I would like to find some at about 0.5 it will awesome to fly a kite of 9m2 and 1,200Kg.
it's fine to pushing limits with many advice on this forum. If you a conseil for a less thickness blader.
sorry for my english but i don't like to use google translate.

[nixmatters]

For LE segment: just insignia tape with french sweing. No problem with cuben fiber possible shrinkage. I can inflate the LE about 0.8: it's very hard and rigid. I think i can inflate with more pressure but it's enough at 0.8.
For personal use it's a pleasure but the kite is less durable for sure. It's not a problem for me because i take care of my kites.
the real problem is the bladder because the all kite fabric finish (with bridles) weight is 0,900Kg and the bladder weight is 0.650Kg. i have find only bladder thickness at 0.10 and it's very very heavy, too heavy. I would like to find some at about 0.5 it will awesome to fly a kite of 9m2 and 1,200Kg.
it's fine to pushing limits with many advice on this forum. If you a conseil for a less thickness blader.
sorry for my english but i don't like to use google translate.

No worries, my French is nowhere near your English!
0,08 bladder film is easy to find, let me know and I can help you out. Thinner than 0,07-0,06 gets difficult to weld unless you have a good RF welding machine.
But if you want to try with 0,05 I know someone in Italy who has stock, although it may be easier to get it from Taiwan at the moment.

I love the look of the transparent Cuben Fiber LE!

[Hansen Design]

Hello VP22:
Make your bladders out of PE/PA/EVOH/PA/PE film. Half the weight of TPU, heat sealable and strong. Just make sure they fit your tubes and slightly larger. You can also use PE/PA/PE food preservation film. Super light and cheap.
Cheers!

[Europ2]

Hello VP22:
Make your bladders out of PE/PA/EVOH/PA/PE film. Half the weight of TPU, heat sealable and strong. Just make sure they fit your tubes and slightly larger. You can also use PE/PA/PE food preservation film. Super light and cheap.
Cheers!

Would you have a link for the PE/PA/EVOH/PA/PE film ? Which valves do you use ?

[VP22]

Hansen design: a friend tell me about vacuum sleeve to make a lighter bladder( my actual bladder is 0,1mm because it's a standard one of a 9m2 kite offrench brand GONG for 40€with VAT ).
I'm interest too for a link to find this in and how do you do to heat seal the fabric and valve.
thanks a lot to improve the final result with a possible lighter kite.

[nixmatters]

Hello VP22:
Make your bladders out of PE/PA/EVOH/PA/PE film. Half the weight of TPU, heat sealable and strong. Just make sure they fit your tubes and slightly larger. You can also use PE/PA/PE food preservation film. Super light and cheap.
Cheers!

Yeah, where can one buy industrial grade food packiging film? I'll give U-stick a ring to check if their 'orange' valves can be welded or glued to PE film, but if you have a solution, please share, thanks!
Ironically, the first result Google broght is a manufacturer from Hubei China... or is it just a fault of Google indexing:
https://www.hawkingpack.com/food-packag ... -film.html

Or do you mean something like this:

Hansen design: a friend tell me about vacuum sleeve to make a lighter bladder( my actual bladder is 0,1mm because it's a standard one of a 9m2 kite offrench brand GONG for 40€with VAT ).
I'm interest too for a link to find this in and how do you do to heat seal the fabric and valve.
thanks a lot to improve the final result with a possible lighter kite.

VP22, did you make the trailing edge with Cuben Fiber too? Please report how it holds up after some hours flying and packing/unpacking. I've had negative experience with CF for canopy, therefore my earlier question about shrinkage.

...Next question: Do you want all the materials to build the kite (sail, tubes, bladder, zipper, webbings, lines, thread, tape, insigna tape, velcro etc.) to be included in the kit or only the sail, tube + bladder?

Karsten, are you keen on exloring (and offering) a lightweight film ready made bladders for the DIY package?