Umbrella type
Manual 3-Fold Umbrella
Three-section shaft with manual open and close. The highest-volume folding structure globally; main, middle and tail ribs fold twice, so rivet count and joint consistency drive quality.
Structure
The manual 3-fold is the volume workhorse of the folding family: three shaft sections, ribs in three pieces (main, middle and tail) that fold twice, and no spring mechanism at all. The hand pushes the runner up to open and pulls it down to close, and the shaft is telescoped by hand rather than by a closing spring. Removing the auto mechanism removes the control head, the return spring, the latch and the button, which is why this type is lighter, cheaper and more reliable than an auto open-close frame. What it does not remove is the joint count: with three rib sections per rib and eight ribs, rivet consistency is still the single biggest quality variable.
- Rib count
- 8 ribs (6 / 10 on request)
- Open diameter
- 98-110 cm
- Closed length
- 30-40 cm
- Shaft
- 3-section telescopic steel or aluminium, 0.8-1.2 mm wall
- Rib
- 3-piece: steel main and middle, FRP tail
- Opening mechanism
- Manual push-up, no spring
- Net weight
- 300-420 g
- Cycle life reference
- 500 cycles manual (GB/T 23147-2018 type test)
Assembly flow & quality control points
- 1
Shaft section preparation
Supply chain / partnersTube sections are cut, swaged, punched and finished, then deburred and cleaned. Section fit is verified dry before any mechanism goes in. Three sections mean two joints, so both are dry-fitted before the frame is built up.
Quality control points
- Section dimensions · Caliper + tube gauge per drawing · First article + 1 pc per 2 h
- Telescoping smoothness · Manual extend / retract x10 · 100%
- Coating / corrosion · Thickness gauge; neutral salt spray per buyer spec · Per order
- 2
Top notch & main rib riveting
Supply chain / partnersThe top notch is riveted to the main ribs. Slot pitch and rivet tightness decide canopy symmetry and whether ribs work loose in service.
Quality control points
- Rivet tightness · Visual + probe, no axial play, no deformation · 100%
- Rib symmetry / pitch · Visual on assembly jig, even spacing · First article + AQL per lot
- 3
Rib & stretcher hinge assembly
Supply chain / partnersMiddle and tail rib sections are hinged to the main ribs, stretchers are added, and windproof spring joints are fitted where specified. Joints must move freely without play. Two rib joints per rib, sixteen hinge points on an 8-rib frame: this is the step that decides whether the umbrella feels tight or loose.
Quality control points
- Joint freedom · Manual swing at each joint, no binding · 100%
- Joint play · Manual axial check, no looseness · 100%
- Rivet count per rib · Count against BOM, no missing joint · 100%
- 4
Runner & hubs on shaft
Supply chain / partnersThe mid hub, lower runner and any latch or catch parts are assembled onto the shaft in the correct order. Manual frames use a simple catch; the runner must still travel the full stroke without binding on either shaft joint.
Quality control points
- Runner travel · Manual slide over full stroke, no binding · 100%
- Latch engagement · Functional check: holds open, releases on demand · 100%
- 5
Handle assembly
Supply chain / partnersThe handle is fitted to the shaft and secured. The handle is shorter than a stick handle and is often the only part carrying the buyer's branding.
Quality control points
- Handle retention · Static pull test; reference 150 N per GB/T 23147-2018 · 5 pcs per batch
- Grip alignment · Visual: handle axis in line with the shaft · 100%
- 6
Canopy cutting, printing & sewing
Supply chain / partnersPanels are cut, printed and sewn, and the seams are waterproofed. Stitch holes that are not sealed are the main source of canopy leakage.
Quality control points
- Logo position per panel · Visual against approved pre-production sample · Per lot, AQL 2.5 (ISO 2859-1 general level II)
- Seam leakage · Spray / shower test per ISO 4920 or buyer method · 5 pcs per batch
- Colour match · Compare to approved swatch under D65 light · Per dye lot
- 7
Canopy mounting on frame
Supply chain / partnersThe canopy is positioned on the frame, tied or stitched to the rib tips and tensioned evenly. Uneven tension shows as a sagging or twisting canopy.
Quality control points
- Canopy tension & symmetry · Visual in open position, no sag, no twist · 100%
- Canopy attachment · Pull check at each rib tip, no pull-off · 100%
- 8
Ferrule & rib tip caps
Supply chain / partnersTop ferrule and rib tip caps are fitted. Tip caps stop the rib ends puncturing the canopy and remove sharp points.
Quality control points
- Tip cap retention · Pull test to agreed spec, no pull-off · 5 pcs per batch
- Sharp points · Visual / radius check, no sharp tip exposed · 100%
- 9
Function & water test
Supply chain / partnersEvery umbrella is cycled, then samples are run through wind, shower and corrosion checks. Without an auto mechanism the cycle test is about joints and rivets, not springs and latches. Function defects are treated as AQL 0.
Quality control points
- Open / close cycling · Cycle to buyer spec, no sticking, no latch or rib failure · 100% quick cycle + 5 pcs per batch full cycle
- Shower / water repellency · Spray test per ISO 4920, no drips inside · 5 pcs per batch
- Wind resistance · Fan or wind tunnel at agreed speed, no breakage, inversion recovers · Per order
- 10
Appearance inspection, folding & packing
Supply chain / partnersFinal appearance check, the umbrella is folded, sleeved, bagged and cartoned. Folding is done on the standard fold pattern so the canopy does not crease along new lines in the carton.
Quality control points
- Appearance & workmanship · Visual: no coating damage, no burr, 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 15 components are made in-house by Qinxi. Click a part to see how it is manufactured.
| Component | Qty | Material | Function | Made by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Fold Telescopic Shaft | 1 | 3-section telescopic steel or aluminium tube | Central column; carries every other part of the frame. | Supply chain / partners |
| Top Notch (Top Hub) | 1 | POM / PA66+GF / zinc alloy | Fixed top hub that anchors the inner ends of all main ribs. | Qinxi in-house |
| Sliding Runner | 1-2 | POM / PA66+GF / zinc alloy | Lower runner (and mid hub where used); transfers hand force to the stretchers. | Qinxi in-house |
| 3-Fold Rib (Main / Middle / Tail) | 8 | Steel U-channel main and middle, fibreglass tail | Carry the canopy and fold to reach the short closed length. | Supply chain / partners |
| Stretcher | 8 | Steel U-channel | Link the runner to the ribs and convert runner travel into rib opening. | Supply chain / partners |
| Rivet & Hinge Pin | approx. 40 | Steel / brass / stainless | All hinged joints in the frame; the largest count item in the BOM. | Supply chain / partners |
| Windproof Spring Joint | 8 (optional) | Spring steel + POM bushing | Lets a rib invert under gusts and spring back instead of breaking. | Supply chain / partners |
| Ferrule / Top Tip | 1 | PP / ABS | Clamps the canopy apex and finishes the top of the shaft. | Qinxi in-house |
| Rib Tip Cap | 8 | PP / PE / TPE | Anchor the canopy at the rib ends and cover sharp rib tips. | Qinxi in-house |
| Manual Folding Umbrella Handle | 1 | ABS / PP / TPR | Grip for the hand; on folding frames it also covers the shaft end. | Qinxi in-house |
| Canopy Fabric (Pongee / PG Cloth) | approx. 1.1 m2 | 190T polyester pongee | Waterproof and UV-protective cover material. | Supply chain / partners |
| Cut & Sewn Canopy Panels | 8 | Sewn pongee panels | Form the canopy shape and carry the printed logo. | Supply chain / partners |
| Tie Strap / Closure Strap | 1 | Polyester webbing | Keeps the canopy neatly closed when carried. | Supply chain / partners |
| Carry Sleeve / Pouch | 1 | Matching canopy fabric | Protects bag and clothes from a wet folded umbrella. | Supply chain / partners |
| Retail & Export Packaging | 1 | OPP bag, hangtag, export carton | Retail presentation and export 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
- Wind resistance test
global
Whole umbrella frame and canopy assembly
- Open/close cycle (durability) test
global
Umbrella opening/closing mechanism
- Waterproof / rain resistance
global
Umbrella canopy fabric and seam sealing
- Colour fastness
global
Dyed/printed umbrella canopy fabric
- UPF (UV protection)
AU · global
UV-protective umbrella canopy fabric
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