ParaPrinter Structured Composite Textile Fabrication System for Parafoil Manufacturing Applications

Due to the logistics involved with recovering Army parafoils from drop zones, there is a real operational need for cost reduction in parafoil manufacturing. To support the Army’s technological requirements in this area, Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), with team members Solution Inc. and Slingshot Sports Inc., propose a powerful new innovative technique for parafoil manufacturing called ParaPrinter. This enabling technology for parafoil design and manufacturing uses composite textile base formulations and innovative construction techniques to replace current production methods, which incorporate rip-stop nylon and sewing. PSI’s ParaPrinting technology is a free space laminating technique: A continuous process that constructs 3D foil shapes, as a unitary membrane, from chemical coatings and sophisticated yarn patterns. This automated casting process not only increases production, but it reduces 90% of the labor cost associated with sewing and handling rip stop nylon, films or other exotic materials. ParaPrinting simplifies the structural reinforcement step by laying down complex yarn patterns during the lamination process with computer-controlled precision. With the ParaPrinter, low-cost production can be achieved while still maintaining the desirable form and durability of current Army 2K parafoils.