Parachute Pattern Printer

The Parachute Pattern Creator / Sewing Help Dialog in SpaceCAD 7 is a tool designed for users who wish to create custom parachutes for their rockets. This wizard assists in generating a printable parachute pattern, which can be used to sew your own parachute. The pattern is printed across multiple pages, allowing you to stitch the panels together to form the parachute. The dialog provides options for setting the parachute diameter, the number of gores (panels), and an allowance for stitching the panels.

Key Fields and Features:

1. Parachute Diameter (sphere)

• Defines the overall diameter of the parachute when it is fully deployed, assuming a spherical shape.
• Example: A parachute with a 400 mm diameter is commonly used for small to medium-sized rockets.
• SpaceCAD assumes a diameter/height ratio of 0.707, which is the standard for spherical parachutes.

2. Number of Gores (Panels)

• Specifies the number of individual panels (gores) that make up the parachute. More panels result in a more complex pattern but allow for a more stable and smooth parachute.
• Example: A parachute with 5 panels provides a balance between complexity and performance, though more panels can be used for larger or more precise designs.

3. Allowance to Stitch Panels Together

• This setting provides an additional margin for stitching the panels together, ensuring there is enough fabric to sew the panels without compromising the parachute’s structure.
• Example: A 10 mm stitching allowance provides a sufficient margin for most fabric types used in parachutes.

Additional Controls:

4. Print Pattern Button

• Clicking this button generates and prints the parachute pattern across multiple pages. The printed pattern includes guidelines for cutting and stitching the panels together to form the parachute.
• Users can cut out the panels from the printed pattern and use them to cut the parachute material (such as nylon or plastic) before stitching them together.

5. Close Button

• Closes the dialog without printing a pattern.

Example Workflow:

1. Designing and Printing a Custom Parachute Pattern:

   • Open the Parachute Pattern Creator and set the parachute diameter to 400 mm for a medium-sized rocket.
   • Set the number of gores to 5, creating a moderately complex parachute with five panels.
   • Adjust the stitching allowance to 10 mm to ensure enough fabric margin for sewing.
   • Click Print Pattern to generate a printable pattern, which can be used to cut and sew the parachute panels together.

2. Creating a Large Parachute for Heavy Rockets:

   • Set the parachute diameter to 600 mm to accommodate a heavier rocket.
   • Increase the number of gores to 8 for a smoother, more stable parachute deployment.
   • Print the pattern, which will span multiple pages, and use the cut-out panels to guide the stitching process.