At NKB we strive to make the most innovative, durable and user-friendly products on the market. It’s often the smallest details that make a difference and for 2010 we took a close look at all existing production details and began to improve them one by one. The result of our extensive construction overhaul is what we call
PROGRESSION 10: A very detailed catalogue of product features that are simple yet highly effective for quality and performance. By simplifying the production process and standardizing single parts of products throughout our range, the construction process and the number of parts needed has been greatly optimized. For the first time ever computer supported sewing machines have been implemented, guaranteeing a perfect stitch that is durable and of the highest quality. Cloth cutting processes have also been optimized, allowing us to use more expensive and higher quality materials that are lighter and more durable. Even the seam construction diagram has been changed from the classic zigzag stitch to a stronger triple zigzag. All top are now stitched and glued. The list of improvements is long and peppered with completely new innovations like the Fusion 10 and the new pigtails.
Before any product can leave the factory, it must pass all quality inspections and check points. Every production process is defined in the smallest detail and accurately logged, allowing us to achieve the highest level of quality control for every single product. With the sum of innovations, new materials, construction changes and quality control procedures, the standard of our products has risen to an entirely new level.

More powerful kite profiles means that the canopy has to carry higher loads resulting in a distorted profile and loss of efficiency. The Load Distribution Panels spread the load from the lines to a wider area keeping the profile smooth and distinct and allowing the kite to perform with maximum efficiency at all times.

The Control Attack Bridle always transfers the power evenly to the kite through the Force Mixer and permits controlled changes of the angle of attack. The bridles change the angle of attack as one unit, which results in increased efficiency.

In order to make the relaunch easier and to avoid any possible line tangling, we've added Relaunch Bungees at the kite tip. The bungees keep the lines lying slick against the inside of the leading edge, preventing any line from going over the top of the kite during the relaunch.

New for 2008 are the Aramid Reinforcements, added in highly exposed areas such as the Micro Batten pockets and the leading edge scuff pads. These reinforcements reduce wear from everyday use and increase the durability and life of your kite.

The Control Attack Bridle always transfers the power evenly to the kite through the Force Mixer and permits controlled changes of the angle of attack. The bridles change the angle of attack as one unit, which results in increased efficiency.

A major concern in this project has been batten durability. We approached this issue by choosing to use thin, soft battens with construction that has been proven durable through use in windsurfi ng wave sails. These are tough Sglass rather than e-glass battens, and the resin matrix is a vinylester rather than polyester. The fiber to resin ratio is slightly lower than usual so that the battens will be tough and so that they have a smooth resin-rich surface. This smooth surface helps keep stray, loose fibers to a minimum.

The low-drag ribs require a high inflation pressure, thus all valves at the chambers of the Rhino06 are self-closing. Thanks to the worked-in drainage functionality, the air can be let out within a few seconds.

Low-drag, High-pressure Ribs: It’s not true that all types and sizes of kite need to have as little aerodynamic drag as possible. However, we like to control drag by putting it where we want it and eliminating it where we don’t want it. To the end of eliminating undesired drag we have created the lowest drag ribs available. From the low profi le and correct orientation of our seams to the small overall diameter and tiny, low-turbulence rib ends, the Rhino 04 ribs are designed to reduce undesirable skin friction and wake drag to a minimum. One might ask: but don’t we need thick ribs for greater profi le stability? The answer is that rib thickness is necessary up to a certain point, but that going thicker doesn’t increase profi le stability. Instead it increases weight and can reduce the necessary fl exibility that any kite needs in order to do things like steer quickly or adjust to changing winds. At the same time that we reduced rib diameter, we increased permissible infl ation pressure. The chance of ribs breaking under higher pressure isn’t greater because the load on seams and cloth is proportional to the product of rib diameter and air pressure (rib diameter times air pressure). Thus, reducing diameter permits higher infl ation pressures without increasing loads.

Our Fusion Rib Joints not only ensure the kite’s high rigidity and stability, but also help keep the entire canopy smooth and eliminate flat spots.

The fusion 10 is a completely new connection between the strut and leading edge. In contrast to normal connections, the forces are no longer supported by a webbing strap but by a flexible line. The line ensures a perfectly clean connection of strut to leading edge even with the smallest struts and offers our strongest strut connection ever. Just a little revolution in strut technology!

New ways in constructing Front – and Back Pigtails have been found by NKB. No more belt struts are used, but strongest dyneema lines. The advantage of the lines is the flexibility at the edge of the canopy, so they can flex in every single direction, not like stiff belt struts. Further more two layers of strongest Dacron are sewed on all Pigtails which ensures a perfect and flutter free load transmission.

In order to produce a lightweight and durable kite, North uses Technoforce T9 polyester ripstop for the canopy. This material does not absorb any water and is coated with UV-protection on both sides.

The combination of Re-launch Bungees and our new low profile batten pockets and thin strut ends helps prevent any lines from snagging anywhere on the kite during relaunch.
- Batten Pocket Construction
- Thin Rip Ends
- Relaunch Bungee

The Flat Delta Design maximizes the projected area. Additionally, the Control Attack Bridles distribute the power from the lines evenly over the entire leading edge. The FDD allows greater stability with narrower wing tips through less torsion of the tips.

One valve for inflating, one valve for deflating the whole kite.

The Leading Edge Bridles create the necessary stability for the Evo’s consistent and direct handling.

The Evo can be flown with four or with five lines, the fifth line provides 100% depower and maximum safety even in high wind conditions.

Batten Pockets are built of sticky-back Insignia cloth lining the canopy surface where battens are located. This combines with heavy, abrasionresistant nylon fabric on surfaces that come between the batten and sources of abrasion damage, such as hard sand beaches. We’ve allowed a Rhino prototype to tumble in surf and white water for a time to test the construction. There was no damage to batten pockets or canopy.

These connectors prevent the number one cause of kite accidents by ensuring that front lines cannot be attached to the back of the kite and back lines cannot be attached to the front.

These loops attached to the inside of the wingtips make it easier to hold the kite for bodydrag rescue.

Dacron Leading Edges & Ribs: For all heavily stresses areas, North canopies are manufactured from top-quality 170g or 175g Dacron. This material is equipped with the best possible breaking strength characteristics with usual kite materials and, moreover, it will never delaminate.

This material fulfils two functions: It adds protection and increases durability. It strengthens and stiffens the profi le. Snakeskin is made of 2.1 oz ripstop, which is twice as strong as conventional canopy material.