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Testing string tension
April 21, 2011
11:42 am
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Simon
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This might be a stupid idea but is it viable to strum the strings on a racket, record the sound, get the frequency and work out the string tension ?

Obviously it would be different for different string types.

April 21, 2011
12:40 pm
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Matthew Seeley
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I don't know of anyone who does it that way. Measuring actual string tension in a racket is a tricky business, but maybe that would work. I personally don't think it really matters. As long as I know from the feel of the stringbed (pushing with the thumbs) I know what tension is required as a pulling tension to achieve that stringbed tension.

Interesting idea though.

Matt

April 21, 2011
10:47 pm
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Ed
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Hmm, this will only give you an idea if one racket is strung higher/lower than another. It will give you a range between x and y Hz, depending on the accuracy of the measurement and the used method and equipment. There're quite a few parameters that will/can influence your measurement (like the temperature of the string, for one). So if you would always measure under the same circumstances, in the same way (I doubt it this string tension is equaly spread), with the same equipment; as mentioned before you'll end up with “your racket has a tension between x and y kg/lbs/WhateverTheUnit. What would that be interesting for ?

Cheers, ED

April 21, 2011
11:06 pm
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Paul Stewart
Cheshire, UK
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Simon

The difficulty you have here is that of consistency. When do you test the racquet? The “ping” test will provide different results each time due to string stretch. You’ll also find that you get different frequencies depending on which string you ping.

Sorry to say the closest you get is to ensure you calibrate your stringing machine properly and then string consistently.

At the moment, there is no device on the market that will enable you to accurately measure string tension on a badminton racquet – otherwise we’d all have one!

The ping or thumb test can only ever give you an approaximate tension and that’s based on experience and feel undertaking the same tests on freshly strung racquets.

Hope the stringing is going well.

Paul

April 22, 2011
10:25 am
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Simon
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It's more of a curiosity thing than a proper science.

Now that my friends know I can string rackets a few people are interested in doing the same as me, trying different strings and tensions (really handy cus the machine looks like it'll pay for itself in a couple of months).

I'm an engineer by trade so I have a compulsive need to know how things work, I thought it would be interesting to have a quantifiable means of measuring how different rackets/strings/tensions react under different conditions.

I'm not trying to create an industry standard but if I have constants, like stringer/machine/string/tension, and 4 different player styles (big hitter, drop/net specialist, all rounder and a guy who is improving at an astonishing rate) it seems like an opportunity to get some really good information about how they affect certain aspects.

I know it makes me sound really geeky and I'll probably lose all interest when something else gets my attention (drinking and strippers usually) but it all seems like a good idea at the moment.

April 22, 2011
11:27 am
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Matthew Seeley
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There used to be a machine on the market that was the badminton equivalent of the ERT300

http://www.ert-tennis.com/ert3…..mation.htm

 

This only works for tennis, and will not work on a badminton racket (that I know – I asked someone “knowledgeable” who was selling them, and he said it wouldn't work). However, as I said, there used to be a badminton version. Good luck finding one, I tried a year or so ago, and was dissappointed not to find anything.

 

Matt

April 23, 2011
3:42 pm
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Paul Stewart
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Simon

My dad was a design engineer by trade working on my many complex projects. He hasn’t found of way of measuring the tension on the stringbed.

I suppose there are too many variables to do this accurately.

Paul

June 28, 2012
10:56 am
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scottie2362
North London
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Hello Paul, 

 

There is a version of the stringmeter racquet string meter gauge on the market, which is calibrated to read the tensions used for badminton racquets. A search of the internet will reveal this device.

The downside of this device is that it only reads the tension of individual strings and not the combined effects of the main and cross strings in a racquet.

 

As a badminton player you may not be aware of the electronic devices manufactured by Beers Technic Gmbh. These devices are designed to measure the resonant frequency of the stringbed and convert the resultant figure into a dynamic tension reading which is equivalent to depressing the strings by 1cm when the shuttle is hit ( The resonant frequency of the strings, is what you hear, when you pluck or ping the strings with your fingers )

 

The current machine ERT300 is designed to measure Dynamic Tension of tennis racquet.

 

Many years ago I purchased the ERT 1000 Master Tensometer Diagnostic Tester. This tester was

designed to read the string tension and Dynamic Tension in squash and tennis racquets.

I had my machine modified to read the dynamic tension of badminton racquet stringbeds. Apparently these machines are extremely rare, only 6 machines were made. Beers Technic Gmbh have informed me that they are developing a machine to read the stringbed tension of badminton racquets.

No timescales were given. Based on current prices of the ERT300 machine, I would estimate the cost to be in the region of £150 – £200 when released to the market.

 

Any badminton player who lives in North London, are welcome to see my ERT 1000 machine in action if you contact me offline.

 

June 30, 2012
4:25 pm
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Paul Stewart
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This is interesting.

 

The more detailed members amongst us may well wish to purchase such a machine to measure the loss of tension in their racquets over a given time. I'm not sure whether this will be a good thing or bad yet. It may precipitate a higher volume of restrings, increase in string tension to get a playing tension over time, or a host of other reasons.

 

I'm a great believer in understanding the feel of a racquet. Consequently, I won't be rushing to buy one of these tools but I would like to know they are available and what players and stringers think. Eventually it may become a good tool to have.

 

I like technological progress and hope this is used for the good of players.

 

Paul

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