3D dropstitch

[Solent Foiler]

This could have been posted in more than one forum but this is quite exciting technology assuming cost isn't a barrier for boards and maybe wings as well?!

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lucarizzotti_moulds-foilingindustry-connect-activity-7003260193660661761-FWB-?utm_source=li_share&utm_content=feedcontent&utm_medium=g_mb_web&utm_campaign=copy

[VB_Foil]

https://www.enserinkdesign.com/project/shapewave-true-3d-shape-inflatables


Oh man, that is so nuts!  1 bar max pressure = 15 PSI.  I imagine that a wing ding made out of this would be exceedingly heavy however.  I'd give a 2.5M version a go! 

I think KD Maui mused about making a full blown shaped wing out of EPS and thin layers of fiberglass on a podcast a ways back.  Would be the most efficient and fast wing ever, but also the most impractical thing ever made.  An inflatable version that can be deflated and rolled up would be crazy.  The foil section on top and bottom could be perfectly refined.  Who knows what the future holds. 

[Solent Foiler]

Haha! Well done on finding the website. Great stuff!

All we have are pictures, so there is only speculation, but if the material is stiff enough and strong enough then the amount of material to create a wing's inflatable leading edge could be small enough for the weight not to be prohibitive, and the aero gain massive. Thinking more of a speed / race application, but there's been a massive debate in the road cycling world over the last 5-10 years over bike weight vs aero drag, and aero benefits seem to win out most of the time. This could be a similar story.

But even from a board perspective... An inflatable with a carefully designed and sculpted underwater shape would be a compelling product too.

All speculation, but that can be fun!

[jondrums]

with a really efficient foil shape, square meter sizes could go way way down.
Take a look at the solid wing sailboats - the solid wings are only a fraction of the area of traditional sails
So there is hope this could still make a super lightweight wing for wingfoiling - although I would guess the issue will be that we'd want high aspect shapes and the wingding has a reasonable limit to its span

[VB_Foil]

Great point about inflatable boards...I hadn't even thought of that.  The current offerings are as appealing as a pool toy. 

The website talks about low manufacturing costs.  I bet that's after you factor in the cost of the machine.

The proto wing reminds me of the intro to the show Westworld on HBO haha.