K117 - Escape #15
K117 is an Escape LW, based on the plans from Ulzburger kites.
Leading edge fittings
I made some tweaks to my leading edge/spreader fittings to make them slightly easier to print by messing with the angles slightly. When printing the fittings, instead of having a straight wall on one side and a 45 degree overhang on the other, I morphed the fitting a bit to equalize the overhang and get a 22.5 degree overhang on either side.
Yoyo stoppers
Following an idea I saw from Paul DeBakker, I made a new yoyo stopper fitting that's really just a prong on a ring. I leave the leading edge unsewn so that I can slip the fitting into the leading edge and over the leading edge as a frame the kite. The results in a very clean exterior. I think this turned out pretty well.
Dye Sublimation
I recently acquired a small dye sublimation printer, and I used it on a kite for the first time here. I've replaced my written notes on the kite with a dye sublimation printed version.
This process caused me to start over on the kite once because the heat pressing needed for the dye sublimation seems to shrink the Icarex slightly, and I tried doing the pressing after I had already sewn the sail, which distorted the sail slightly. So, I started over and did the dye sublimation on the raw Icarex before assembling the sail, and was able to compensate for the slight shrinkage more easily the second time around.
