Hey guys, I just had an idea on improving nylon shuttlecocks. From what I've read, the main dilemma in replicating the flight of a feathered shuttle is the artificial feathers. Since I haven't seen plastics for more than a year now, I'd want to know what you think or what do you think will turn out. My proposal in improving its flight is to place toothpicks in the artificial cork and its direction parallel to the feather's direction. What do you think of it?
By doing that, the "feathers" won't move inwards. This would cause more drag, like the real feathers. I just realized that toothpicks easily brake; so probably straightened paper clips would be more suitable but probably too heavy.
sounds like a horrible accident waiting to happen. Can you imagine (I'd rather not though) what will happen if (for whatever reason), after smashing the shuttlecock, the toothpick becomes an independent projectile and pierces your opponents eye? Or even if it stays attached to the shuttle, what if it somehow extends itself pass the tip of the shuttle (maybe because of numerous impacts with the rackets) and hits your opponent (or any of the players)?
it wont work, one hit, the toothpicks go snap, crackle and maybe pop. there are ways to improve the nylon shuttles performance but the incentive isnt there because it will eat into feather shuttle sales.
I'm still going to try it out though! What do you think of straightened paperclips though? It's quite durable because it just bends.
Another alternative is to come out with your own nylon shuttles that play like feathers. Do some research on how feathers behavior under all playing conditions, put all your findings on a chip, encase the chip inside the cork, and then use the chip to tell the nylon shuttle to play like feathers. Too far-fetched?
I like your imagination. Do go ahead and try it. One little bit of advice. You may not find what you are looking for right away, but it could lead to something interesting enough for you to look at other possibilities.
here is the trade-off when designing a shuttle: low cost, durable, flight consistency/flight correctness. you can only have 2 out of the above 3...
I'll try to post some pictures on the end result. Apparently I'm going to wear safety glasses just in case.