К3-Tent

K3-Tent Software

K3-Tent is a software suite intended for designing tent structures. The software helps speed up the compilation of design documentation and improve the quality of manufacturing order preparation for any tent structure shape. The K3-Tent suite provides highly visual and effective tools for designers to work with surfaces of any complexity. In addition, K3-Tent significantly reduces the time required for finding the shape of the envelope, visualizing the final structure, marking a cutting line, and unfolding pieces. The K3-Tent suite is a further development of the FABRIC CAD System.

What К3-Tent software provides

• Significantly speeds up the development of new designs and the issue of design and process documentation
• Reduces the costs of developing design and process documentation
• Increases the skills of employees and their readiness for future innovations
• Improves operational efficiency through teamwork using a shared information environment

K3-Tent Software Operating Principle

The K3-Tent Suite provides the ability to draw up architecture, construction, and manufacturing documents required to make tent structures of any complexity. K3-Tent software simulates the shape of a “soap film” surface for a specific frame. K3-Tent software simulates a soap film surface shape for a specific frame when retrieving it from the soap solution. The frame may be composed of rigid or stretchable (rubber) ribs.

• The designer creates a frame consisting of straight sections and arcs.
• The designer sets the frame rib boundary conditions (loose, hold fixed, fixed length, etc.).
• The designer specifies if a facet should or should not be used in creating a surface.
• The software automatically calculates the shape of the envelope.
• The designer checks the correctness of the shape by using an isoline plotting tool and a heat normal map.
• The designer marks cutting lines on the envelope.
• The software automatically cuts the envelope into pieces and unfolds the pieces.
• The software can be used to export unfolded pieces to .dxf format.

Step by step instruction

The design process with K3-Tent system can be conventionally subdivided into 6 steps:

Creation of the Frame object on the basis of set of spatial straight lines and circle arcs which defines links and tent constrains.

Definition of boundary conditions for the Frame edges and nodes

Creation the surface of the tent by the system automatically.

Tracing cutting lines on the surface of cloth. The system cuts the tent surface to patches automatically.

Development patches pattern by the system automatically.

Fabric patterning, cutting, welding and tent surface assemblage.