2. The Oklahoma Kite Company An Investigation

3. The Oklahoma Kite Company The Oklahoma Kite Company makes kites, using best quality rip-stop nylon to cover the framework which is constructed of lightweight glass-fibre rods. In order to minimize costs the company must use all the materials with as little waste as possible. One of the problems they have in the company is how to fit the kite shape onto a long rectangular sheet of nylon in the most economical way. The dimensions of a kite are shown in the diagram and the nylon for making the kites is available in rectangular strips which can be up to 4 metres wide and up to 120 metres long.   30cm 120cm 60cm

4. For each configuration shown, calculate the minimum width of nylon necessary, the length required to produce 12 shapes and the percentage waste of material in each case A                 B               C

5.             D                           E              

6. In each of the arrangements calculate the % waste in producing 48 kites per strip of nylon 120 kites per strip of nylon 180 kites per strip of nylon Which is the most economical method? If it is decided to use the maximum available length of 120 metres, what are the % waste figures now? Try configurations other than those shown above and see if you can find the most efficient way in which kites can be cut from the rectangular sheets. Investigate !

7. Teacher Solution sheets follow where formula for % waste have been developed and can be used for all the different arrangements. See the slides which follow