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.
Zero Tolerance
From fibre to sail in one process under one roof. One workflow from design to finished membrane. The result is a sail which meets individual requirements to the full.
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.
Extreme 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.
Zero Delamination
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.
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.