Drop Stitch, an innovative material widely used in the production of inflatable items, gaining significant popularity in recent years, especially among inflatable SUP and kayak designers. Despite its growing use, comprehending the unique features of this material can be challenging.
What is Drop Stitch?
Drop stitch material facilitates the creation of inflatable structures with entirely flat surfaces, ensuring enhanced rigidity and stability. Constructed by intertwining thousands of fine polyester threads tightly between two external layers of material, this fabric, when inflated, tightens the threads, resulting in a robust surface. This can be seen from the NRS supplied picture below.
Advantages of Drop stitch Material
Employing drop stitch enables manufacturers to inflate their products to higher pressures, imparting a superior level of rigidity compared to standard inflatables. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for products like stand-up paddleboards (SUPs).
Considerations and potential issues with Drop Stitch Material?
While offering substantial benefits for numerous inflatable products, the use of drop stitch complicates the production process. Many designers encountered challenges, such as difficulties in fitting valves and increased leaks due to entanglement of drop stitch threads in the valve core.
Leafield Marine’s Solutions
Addressing these challenges, we have developed a new range of air valves equipped with mesh filters to prevent fine threads from causing leaks in the structure. The adapted Leafield Marine D7 Inflation/Deflation valve, featuring an internal mesh filter, simplifies the fitting process without compromising functionality. Additionally, the A9 Pressure Relief Valve (PRV), designed for higher pressure settings up to 45 psi, includes both internal and external filters, making it suitable for many Drop Stitch applications.
These air valves serve as valuable additions to inflatable paddleboards, play mats, gym mats and marine leisure products and find applicability in other drop stitch products like kayaks, boat floors, and inflatable tents. For further information or to make an inquiry, contact us today.
