Umbrella type
Bubble / Transparent Umbrella
Clear PVC or POE canopy on a domed frame, usually with fewer, deeper ribs. Panels are welded rather than stitched, and clarity plus seam strength are the main QC issues.
Structure
A bubble umbrella is a domed transparent canopy on a straight shaft. The canopy is PVC, POE or EVA film rather than woven fabric, so the panels are joined by high-frequency welding instead of sewing - a needle hole in a film canopy is a leak that cannot be sealed afterwards. The frame carries fewer but deeper ribs than a standard umbrella, because the dome shape is carried by the rib arc rather than by panel cut. Everything is visible through the canopy, which changes the QC standard: a plating blemish or a rib that has lost its arc is immediately visible, and the film itself is checked for clarity, haze, cold-crack and blocking.
- Rib count
- 6-8 deep ribs
- Open diameter
- 80-100 cm
- Closed length
- 80-90 cm
- Shaft
- One-piece steel or aluminium, straight or J-handle
- Canopy film
- PVC 0.15-0.30 mm, POE or EVA option
- Seam method
- High-frequency welding, not sewing
- Net weight
- 400-650 g
- Clarity reference
- Haze and clarity checked per batch; cold-crack per order
Assembly flow & quality control points
- 1
Shaft preparation
Supply chain / partnersThe one-piece shaft is cut, punched and finished. On a transparent umbrella the shaft is fully visible through the canopy, so the finish standard is higher than on an opaque one.
Quality control points
- Length and straightness · Caliper + roll on flat plate · First article + 1 pc per 2 h
- Coating appearance · Visual under D65 light, 300 mm, no stain or water mark · Per lot, AQL 2.5 (ISO 2859-1 general level II)
- 2
Rib forming and arc check
Supply chain / partnersDeep ribs are formed and checked against the canopy template. A rib that loses its arc shows as a flat spot in the dome.
Quality control points
- Arc geometry · Profile gauge against the canopy template · First article + 1 pc per 2 h
- Arc retention · Compare against the template after 24 h · Per batch
- 3
Top notch & rib riveting
Supply chain / partnersThe top notch is riveted to the deep ribs. With fewer ribs, pitch accuracy shows more clearly in the finished dome.
Quality control points
- Rivet tightness · Visual + probe, no axial play · 100%
- Rib symmetry / pitch · Visual on jig, even spacing · First article + AQL per lot
- 4
Stretcher and hinge assembly
Supply chain / partnersStretchers and hinge joints are assembled and checked for free movement.
Quality control points
- Joint freedom · Manual swing at each joint, no binding · 100%
- 5
Film cutting and seam welding
Supply chain / partnersPanels are die-cut and high-frequency welded into the canopy. Weld width is the process variable: too narrow peels, too wide goes opaque and yellow.
Quality control points
- Weld width and appearance · Visual plus caliper on defined points · Per lot, AQL 2.5 (ISO 2859-1 general level II)
- Weld strength · Peel test on weld samples per batch · Per batch
- 6
Clarity and film inspection
Supply chain / partnersThe welded canopy is checked for clarity, haze and thickness evenness before it goes on the frame, because a defect here cannot be hidden later.
Quality control points
- Clarity / haze · Haze meter or visual against a reference film · Per batch
- Thickness and evenness · Thickness gauge at defined points · Per batch
- 7
Canopy mounting on frame
Supply chain / partnersThe canopy is drawn over the frame and seated. A bubble canopy is stretched, so it is mounted warm and evenly rather than pulled into place cold.
Quality control points
- Canopy tension & symmetry · Visual in open position, no flat spot, no twist · 100%
- Canopy damage · Visual: no tear at the rib pockets · 100%
- 8
Handle and tip fitting
Supply chain / partnersThe handle and the top ferrule are fitted.
Quality control points
- Handle retention · Static pull test; reference 150 N per GB/T 23147-2018 · 5 pcs per batch
- Sharp points · Visual / radius check, no sharp tip exposed · 100%
- 9
Function, leakage and cold check
Supply chain / partnersThe umbrella is cycled and sampled for leakage. Film canopies are also sampled for cold-crack behaviour into cold markets.
Quality control points
- Open / close cycling · Cycle to buyer spec, no sticking · 5 pcs per batch
- Shower / seam leakage · Spray test per ISO 4920 or buyer method, no drip at the seam · 5 pcs per batch
- Cold crack · Condition at the agreed low temperature, fold, inspect for cracking · Per order
- 10
Appearance inspection and packing
Supply chain / partnersFinal appearance check under good light, then packing with the canopy protected from creasing in the carton.
Quality control points
- Appearance & workmanship · Visual: no haze, no scratch, no weld mark, no stain · Per lot, AQL 2.5 (ISO 2859-1 general level II)
- Packing quantity & marks · Count and carton mark check · Per carton
Bill of materials
5 of 12 components are made in-house by Qinxi. Click a part to see how it is manufactured.
| Component | Qty | Material | Function | Made by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Stick Shaft | 1 | One-piece steel or aluminium tube | Central column, fully visible through the canopy. | Supply chain / partners |
| Top Notch (Top Hub) | 1 | POM / PA66+GF | Anchors the inner ends of the deep ribs. | Qinxi in-house |
| Sliding Runner | 1 | POM / PA66+GF | Opens and closes the frame. | Qinxi in-house |
| Bubble Umbrella Rib | 8 | Deep steel U-channel or FRP rib | Carry the dome shape on a longer rib arc. | Supply chain / partners |
| Stretcher | 8 | Steel U-channel | Convert runner travel into rib opening. | Supply chain / partners |
| Rivet & Hinge Pin | approx. 24 | Steel / brass / stainless | All hinged joints in the frame. | Supply chain / partners |
| Rib Tip Cap | 8 | PP / PE / TPE | Anchor the canopy at the rib ends. | Qinxi in-house |
| Ferrule / Top Tip | 1 | PP / ABS | Finishes the top of the dome. | Qinxi in-house |
| Manual Stick Umbrella Handle | 1 | ABS / PP, straight or J-hook | Grip; a J-hook leaves one hand free. | Qinxi in-house |
| Transparent PVC / POE Canopy Film | approx. 1.5 m2 | PVC, POE or EVA film | Transparent weather cover. | Supply chain / partners |
| Welded Transparent Panel | 8 | Welded PVC or POE panels | Form the dome by welding, not sewing. | Supply chain / partners |
| Retail & Export Packaging | 1 | OPP bag, hangtag, export carton | Retail presentation and crease protection. | Supply chain / partners |
Export compliance
Regulations and tests commonly required for this umbrella type.
- EU REACH (SVHC)
EU
All metal & plastic parts, electroplated components and fabric coatings
- PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
EU
Plastic grips, rubber/elastomer coatings and dyed printed fabric in prolonged skin contact
- California Proposition 65
US
All products sold into California containing listed chemicals
- PFAS restriction (DWR coatings)
EU · US
Water-repellent / durable water repellent (DWR) fabric coatings and fluoropolymer materials
- Open/close cycle (durability) test
global
Umbrella opening/closing mechanism
- Waterproof / rain resistance
global
Umbrella canopy fabric and seam sealing
Develop a bubble / transparent umbrella with us
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