Anyone here familiar with the concepts of stringbed stiffness and dynamic tension? Apparently there is much more to it than merely string tension. Stringing techniques and other factors come into play when talking about stringbed stiffness & dynamic tension. One of the local racket shops here, RacketSupply, has an electronic device that measure the dynamic tension of a stringbed for tennis &, I assume, badminton rackets. A google search on "dynamic tension" yields a number of tennis stringing links. I did come across a badminton reference -- one of the stringers on the Badders forum mentioned it but did not give too many details about it (other than to say that 2 stringers in the UK had this device back in 2004). There is a picture & brief explanation of the device here --> www.stringforum.net/dtdb.php The terms stringbed stiffness & dynamic tension are explained in a bit more detail in the 2 links below: www.sandiaracquetservices.com/reference/tech-sheet.htm www.sandiars.com/equipment.htm Any other thoughts or info on these concepts would be appreciated.
try, try again Looks like there's a bit of a problem with 1 of the links i provided above so I'll give it another try. For a picture & brief explanation of the DT electronic device --> http://www.stringforum.net/dtdb.php
I like the idea behind the tool because same string tension could feel different on different rackets. One string may have more grippy texture or the racket head is smaller or the stringer has some crazy stringing technique and makes the string bed stiffer though the tensions are the same. This means tension weight can no longer be the most reliable measure of stringbed dynamics The true flexibility of the stringbed can finally be measured!!!
Yes, stringbed stiffness for tennis racquets can be tested with a stringbed tester available from various vendors. However, a badminton version is not available.
I think one of the issue is badminton frame is to thin. According to the website, it is measuring the force needed to move the sting 1 cm. Since the badminton frame is usually less than 1 cm thick, I think it is hard to make one for badminton.
Not only that, the stringbed tester for tennis racquets will make the badminton frame vibrate like no tomorrow like . . . use your imagination.
Any electronic device that can measure dynamic tension or stringbed stiffness or what have you is no match for your own hand. Just by hitting a few shots can tell you more than any device.
I'll have to ask the guy at RacketSupply if his device is capable of measurements on badminton rackets. In the Badders forum, a racket stringer claimed that he was one of 2 pp in the UK in 2004 that had a device suitable for badminton. badders.com/forum/showthread.html?t=851 I tried a search for deBeers but could not find any links for such as device with this company name. Perhaps, it is no longer available or just isn't easy to find on the web. The vibration that I felt at the grip, when used on a tennis racket, was subtle. The first time the guy at RS did it I didn't feel anything at all cuz I was talking. I did feel the vibration the 2nd time -- it was distinct but not really powerful at all. From that experience, I don't think that such a device would overpower a badminton frame -- at least it probably could be adapted to be suitable for baddie rackets. I just don't know if this particular device was calibrated for badmiton frames or if it was even sensitive enuff. I seriously doubt that most players could make the fine distinction that the electronic device does -- an elite player perhaps, but not the average joe. Besides, it is not practical for a stringer, in a shop, to hit shuttles with every racket that they string. The device appears to be a fairly precise feedback tool for stringers. I believe that it is used primarily by stringers who do rackets for professional players. It can also be used after a string job has aged for a bit, to let you know how much the stringbed stiffness has changed over time. .
However, only the hardcore player will even think about actually use this device. Usually my experienced friend and customer can tell within 1lb difference. One guy was able to "guess" my new string job of 20.25X22.5 lb job at 20.5X23lb because he knows my stringing style. (PS, I can set my drop weight machine at 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6 lb increments)
Discovered yesterday that the device that I saw at RacketSupply was not suitable for badminton rackets. The electronic device is made by a Swiss company, Beers Technic. According to the Badders forum, they may have had a model that was suitable for badminton a few years ago -- but it appears that perhaps the demand is not yet sufficient to make such a product marketable. http://www.ert-tennis.com http://www.ert-tennis.com/ert300/en/start.htm