Here's footage of our umbrella prototype in a wind tunnel.
This wasn't a formal test. This sample uses an aluminum frame with 3D printed components, and instead of following the ASTM standard protocol of gradually ramping up wind speed, we went straight to 38 MPH. We also set up a patio table around it, just to see how a real backyard scenario would play out.
At 42 MPH, the umbrella lifted. The center pole snapped under tension between the table and the safety wire we'd used to keep it from becoming a projectile.
Watch the full sequence in the video below — the setup, a GoPro view looking up through the canopy, and the aftermath.
Every failure teaches us something. Our production umbrella ASTM standard test is much longer as we had to let the umbrella stand in each wind speed for a set amount of time — subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss it.
