Production of accurate fabrication information is essential to the construction of tension structures. The key to this is the use of a common 3D finite element model from which all membrane, cable and connection component geometry is taken.

Membrane cutting patterns may be output directly from the inTENS software, which enforces geodesic seam trajectories for balanced panel curvatures and efficient material usage. Graphic output is presented in PDF file format for electronic distribution and printing, together with electronic data formats to suit fabricators particular computer controlled plotting and cutting equipment.

The membrane patterns are compensated (ie made smaller) such that the unstressed component as cut on the factory floor will take up the correct final geometry in its installed and pre-stressed state. The compensation amounts employed are based upon biaxial tests of the actual material to be used.