We call it payload parachute or weather balloon parachute, which is a mini version, can protect the payload from damage after balloon burst and drop down to the earth. The parachute is made by our family, 3 color pink blue red for choosing currently, we choose POLY TAFFETA as fabric and KEVLAR 15003/D for ropes, more details how to make please see our website: High Altitude Balloon
The stuff list you need for DIY a payload parachute is as below:
A square cloth of 36’’ length of a side (other size according to your needed)
A scissors
A sewing machine with sewing thread (or you can sew it by handmade)
An Iron
Some parachute ropes
A balancer
A pen and a nail
The stuff list you need for DIY a payload parachute is as below:
A square cloth of 36’’ length of a side (other size according to your needed)
A scissors
A sewing machine with sewing thread (or you can sew it by handmade)
An Iron
Some parachute ropes
A balancer
A pen and a nail
First we need to cut the cloth into octagonal, steps are as below:
Well, the requests of chute fabric need to be light, bright-colored, anti-tear, what we choose is POLY TAFFETA. Fold the cloth three times get a triangle, use a nail to fix one head of a 18’’ long thread, another head tie a pen, draw an arc on the cloth, and then mark a straight line by contact both ends of arc. It is always better ironing the cloth now, you can see very clear line when you sew it later. And then cut the straight line by a scissors.
Secondly we need to sew the parachute ropes inside, steps are as below:
In above steps we get an octagonal parachute fabric and there are ironing 4 lines on it. We have to sew 4 straight “tube” follow the straight lines on the chute where to keep chute ropes now, in the middle of chute need to cut a hole, it is for the ropes to tie a knot there. There are many methods to thread ropes into the “tube”, what we use is only one rope and only one knot. Well, the type of rope we are using KEVLAR 1500D/3, which is high strength, fire resistance and more. And then sew the cloth side, when meet “tube” end need to sew back and forward once.
Thirdly complete:
After get ropes ready, mend the hole in the middle of chute with two rounded cloth, and tie a balancer on the bottom.
How to use parachute?
Tie parachute to a balloon
There are two ways to tie the parachute, first one is from the top and second one if from bottom.
Tie from the top, if you don’t have an automatic cut device to cut upper rope of the parachute, it is under risk that balloon rope and wreckage will give a force when fall down.
Tie from the bottom, it will give a pull force when the balloon is rising.
Parachute settle
All the leaves of parachute need to be settled outside, and be sure rub the cloth get many “wrinkle” on it, it is easy to “blossom” after balloon burst.
Tie parachute to a balloon
There are two ways to tie the parachute, first one is from the top and second one if from bottom.
Tie from the top, if you don’t have an automatic cut device to cut upper rope of the parachute, it is under risk that balloon rope and wreckage will give a force when fall down.
Tie from the bottom, it will give a pull force when the balloon is rising.
Parachute settle
All the leaves of parachute need to be settled outside, and be sure rub the cloth get many “wrinkle” on it, it is easy to “blossom” after balloon burst.