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Custom printed spring wire frame Popup |
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I am trying to figure out the name of the technology where car sunshades and popup tents use. I am want to manufacture a 60" diameter disk with a print on one side for an industry specific application. I don't even know where to start or what its even called. Any help would be appreciated. |
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If you are looking to have it printed on one side like for example the rear window of a truck, where it looks solid from one side but you can see through the other.....any large format inkjet or laser printer will work. Your local sign company or custom graphic shop can do that. |
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I think its called flat spring wire. Basically heat treated flat wire that wants to remain straight. I know that you can’t bend it say more than 30° to retain a bend or hook type end. It will snap. Take a torch to it to get it red hot before you bend it more than 30° in a short distance. You can bend it into a circle and fold it over, like the laundry baskets, but the thicker and wider it is the less it will bend. I think you can get it from steel wire distributors. I get mine used in the form of laundry baskets, pop up tent playhouses from yard sales. |
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Now if you want wire that is going to change shape with differences in heat or cold or with electricity you will want Nitenol or memory wire. |
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One of the skills that you need to develop is to search the USPTO dBase. I cannot post URL's here and be more specific because I am not paying for that privilege but rather imparting this knowledge at no cost. I have met a lot of very helpful people in my life and this is a means to pay it forward. Using the search below you should receive 60 hits and having read through some of them I can assure you that the information that you seek is there. TTL/automobile AND sunshade |