Innovation
Join our World. We are passionate about innovation, technology, sail design, materials – and much more. If you love all details about sailing too, join us.
Innovation has always been a driving force at Elvstrøm Sails. Paul Elvstrøm’s reputation was built on his ability as an innovator – and today our Research and Development department is still setting new standards for sails.
“If you want to win, you can afford no compromises. An Elvstrøm sail never compromises. Because it contains the philosophy of a man who thrilled the world as a sporting sailor. A philosophy to which we are still committed today,” Jesper Bank.
Leading Edge Technology
The innovative technology behind EPEX is based on a clear vision. A vision to design and produce a sail to outdo conventional sails in terms of durability and performance! EPEX was born in 2008 and as the first and only of its kind on the market. Since then the products and the processes have been further developed to what today is state-of-the-art technology.
After many years of development Elvstrøm Sails have succeeded in perfecting the production process of high quality membranes for sails. EPEX sail membranes are held in position over the whole surface during the entire process by means of a vacuum. In this way a 100% homogenous sail-laminate is produced.
The result is a high performance membrane with previously unknown characteristics. EPEX!
From fibre to sail in one process under one roof
The art of manufacturing a perfect sail is dependent on three criteria. Design, material and processing. Every EPEX sail is designed in house at Elvstrøm Sails with the aid of leading edge sail design software.
However, transformation of all the details into the real world is a critical task. Thanks to EPEX technology, realization of design specifications is optimized because deviations in processing and materials can almost completely be eliminated. One workflow from design to finished membrane.
The result is a sail which meets individual requirements to the full.
Consistent vacuum
The world’s most advanced vacuum table uses over 500,000 vacuum nozzles across the entire laminating surface. Through these nozzles we apply a constant vacuum which draws out all air bubbles, holds the membrane in place, and compresses the membrane layers.
The EPEX process keeps the sail exactly in position by means of a vacuum. Computer-controlled machines position complex rows of fibres with high precision. Track for track, layer for layer. All this occurs within tight restrictions on tolerances which allows for the concentration of all of the necessary rows of fibres directly at the point of major load. Additional reinforcement is, to a large extent, not required.
Perfect lamination
During the lamination process two things are crucial. First of all, to eliminate trapped air and secondly, to apply a constant temperature to prevent the membrane from local shrinkage.
The EPEX technology meets both challenges.
Heaters and sensors apply constant temperature across the entire membrane during lamination. Pressure by vacuum ensures that the air around the yarn built-up is eliminated.
The result is a solid membrane with no air pockets nor crushed fibres! And of course with extended 3 years warranty against delamination.
Equal profile and performance on both tacks
For the first time in the history of modern sailmaking a completely symmetrical sail has been built. Our latest generation of EPEX-sails is absolutely symmetric, made possible by the new integrated batten system and EPEX technologies. Unlike conventional sails, where the batten pockets are placed on one side of the sail, the integrated battens are placed right in the middle of the membrane and are covered by fibres on both sides. This makes the sails stronger, lighter, and most importantly a 100% symmetrical, with equal flow properties, profile, and twist behaviour on both tacks.
