rrmtopo 1 #1 August 4, 2013 Doing a little research for my last, final paper for my masters degree. The class is an Engineering Economy course, learning methods for design economics, alternative selection, risk & sensitivity analysis. Since this work is keeping me from the sky, might as well write my paper about something I'm passionate about. Not looking for any sensitive information, would just like a good ballpark figure for the total construction time of an average non-crossbraced canopy (including the QA process). Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyMarko 1 #2 August 4, 2013 I bet the mfg's websites or phone numbers would be a great place to start... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrmtopo 1 #3 August 4, 2013 JohnnyMarkoI bet the mfg's websites or phone numbers would be a great place to start... Spent a couple hours googleing this subject, although I could have missed it...thanks for the obvious brother. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,547 #4 August 4, 2013 I'd PM Brian Germain. He has built canopies for testing, for sale, and also contracted with another company to build canopies for him. ETA: His ID here is BrianSGermain."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #5 August 4, 2013 rrmtopo***I bet the mfg's websites or phone numbers would be a great place to start... Spent a couple hours googleing this subject, although I could have missed it...thanks for the obvious brother. I think what JM meant was: call the various manufacturers up and ask a real person. Otherwise, the info that you will be getting is what people remember the wait for theirs was two or five years ago.lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GooniesKid 0 #6 August 4, 2013 ryoder I'd PM Brian Germain. He has built canopies for testing, for sale, and also contracted with another company to build canopies for him. ETA: His ID here is BrianSGermain. who would have guessed By the way, Lewbowski is my all time fav movie Dude. I love you mang Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrmtopo 1 #7 August 4, 2013 oldwomanc6******I bet the mfg's websites or phone numbers would be a great place to start... Spent a couple hours googleing this subject, although I could have missed it...thanks for the obvious brother. I think what JM meant was: call the various manufacturers up and ask a real person. Otherwise, the info that you will be getting is what people remember the wait for theirs was two or five years ago. LOL, I realize I can call manufacturers next week, just asking if anyone here on DZ,com "has a ballpark" knowledge of the process time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ctrph8 0 #8 August 4, 2013 OK, I'll bite. I think the real answer is the age old cop-out "It depends". I know a guy who had a canopy in a couple of days under some seriously unusual circumstances.... OK, he SAID he had one in a couple of days under seriously unusual circumstances... But I think it could have happened. Realistically though I think it depends on how many canopies they have in production and how many people work on different aspects of a canopy and what kind of manufacturing facilities they have. Any snag in the process slows things down. If you factor in staff irregularities, maintenance, paperwork snafus, complicated color patterns, the two different 8 way teams that need matching canopies in different sizes for the next big event and issues with the materials, it's a miracle that they can get one out as efficiently as they do. I'd guess, and this is totally guessing, that all of the different aspects of producing a canopy happen in about a week. rrmtopo*********I bet the mfg's websites or phone numbers would be a great place to start... Spent a couple hours googleing this subject, although I could have missed it...thanks for the obvious brother. I think what JM meant was: call the various manufacturers up and ask a real person. Otherwise, the info that you will be getting is what people remember the wait for theirs was two or five years ago. LOL, I realize I can call manufacturers next week, just asking if anyone here on DZ,com "has a ballpark" knowledge of the process time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morrison79 0 #9 August 4, 2013 If you're willing to pay a high fee and know someone you could probably get it within a few days. A few years ago I remember reading about a jumper who got a whole custom rig in very short time but it costs a lot more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrmtopo 1 #10 August 4, 2013 Thanks for the guesses, but that's why I specifically asked for an "average" process time. Once all the nylon is cut, "on average" how long does the processes take. :) ctrph8OK, I'll bite. I think the real answer is the age old cop-out "It depends". I know a guy who had a canopy in a couple of days under some seriously unusual circumstances.... OK, he SAID he had one in a couple of days under seriously unusual circumstances... But I think it could have happened. Realistically though I think it depends on how many canopies they have in production and how many people work on different aspects of a canopy and what kind of manufacturing facilities they have. Any snag in the process slows things down. If you factor in staff irregularities, maintenance, paperwork snafus, complicated color patterns, the two different 8 way teams that need matching canopies in different sizes for the next big event and issues with the materials, it's a miracle that they can get one out as efficiently as they do. I'd guess, and this is totally guessing, that all of the different aspects of producing a canopy happen in about a week. ************I bet the mfg's websites or phone numbers would be a great place to start... Spent a couple hours googleing this subject, although I could have missed it...thanks for the obvious brother. I think what JM meant was: call the various manufacturers up and ask a real person. Otherwise, the info that you will be getting is what people remember the wait for theirs was two or five years ago. LOL, I realize I can call manufacturers next week, just asking if anyone here on DZ,com "has a ballpark" knowledge of the process time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DHemer 0 #11 August 4, 2013 My recomendation is ask various manufacturers how many canopies they produce in a year vs. number of working days/shifts in a year That will give you a nice average that is not dependent on canopy models, schedualling, material availablity etc. that may exist which causes delays that should be factored into an average Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #12 August 4, 2013 if i'm not mistaken, it takes about 30-40hrs for a canopy, and about 60-70hrs for certain wingsuits..“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 136 #13 August 4, 2013 rrmtopo Once all the nylon is cut, "on average" how long does the processes take. :) wouldn't that also be a good part of the process ?scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrmtopo 1 #14 August 4, 2013 Thanks for the reply's y'all, I asked for specific value(s) based on the focus of my report. Everything else, while interesting, is beyond the scope of my paper (and holy crap, I had not thought of the manufacturing time for a wingsuit. Wow, thanks). I did receive via PM some very good information that fits my needs, so thanks again for y'all's help! Blue skies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 4 #15 August 5, 2013 I have built several dozen canopies from scratch. Assuming the patterns are made, starting from fabric and suspension line on their respective rolls, I could make a rectangular 7-cell canopy in 12 hours of actual labor. Need a double needle machine and a zig-zag machine. I cut the fabric by hand, panel by panel with a hot knife. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 3 #16 August 5, 2013 darkwingI have built several dozen canopies from scratch. Assuming the patterns are made, starting from fabric and suspension line on their respective rolls, I could make a rectangular 7-cell canopy in 12 hours of actual labor. Need a double needle machine and a zig-zag machine. I cut the fabric by hand, panel by panel with a hot knife. That's pretty damn impressive! Would probably take me 30-40 hours, but I haven't gotten nearly as much experience as you, I'm sure."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 4 #17 August 5, 2013 I appreciate the applause, but I really don't think I deserve it. With the right setup, experience, and tools it isn't demanding. Lots of long, simple seams, and a little detail work. An elliptical canopy would be tougher, and the tolerances on smaller, high performance canopies are tighter. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,261 #18 August 5, 2013 Hi Jeff, QuoteWith the right setup, experience, and tools it isn't demanding. Back in the 60's, when work would take me into the San Francisco area, I would often stop by Security Parachute Co. I remember this one woman who was doing the long radial seams on a round canopy. She had lots of fabric on both sides of her, a double-needle machine, fabric folders, etc. She would lean way back in her chair, put her hands way over her head with fabric in both hands, and then hit the treadle. She could sew about 2-3 yards in one second. It was fascinating to watch her. When I built my canopy, it was fold everything, sew about 6", repeat, repeat, etc. JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 723 #19 August 6, 2013 Jerry, Are you telling us you're used to working with 6 inches at a time? I couldn't pass that one up....Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
