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| Racquet and String Dynamics | |||||||||||||
| It was Thought that if a tennis racquet was strung at 55 lbs., the resulting tension on the strings in the racquet was 55 lbs. This is not the case! In some cases, a racquet strung at 55 lbs. can end up an actual tension only around 30 lbs.
Several factors cause loss of tension during the stringing process. since individual stringers handle these factors differently, they may arrive different effective tensions, even though using identical stringing machines set to the same tension. The Sringmeter offers a standard by which tension can be measured-- a method for stringers to check their work, and a way for players to periodically test the string tension for their racquets. Remember, the best racquet will play poorly if not strung properly! Using Stringmeter, you can measure each of the following:
There are some unique factors that contribute to significantly lower string tension during the conventional stringing process. Contributing factors are the string employed, the stringing machine, the design of the racquet and the stringer. Let's examine the steps involved in stringing a racquet, for example, at 55 lbs. tension. After the racquet and starting string are secured, the #2 main string is pulled by a tension device to it's 55 lbs. tension. At this crucial moment two factors come into play. Friction at the point where the string is drawn through the frame may cause several pounds loss on the string. The string is undergoing a stretch that will continue after it has been transferred from the tensor to the to the holding clamp. There is usually a small amount of movement in the holding clamp when the string load is transferred from the tensioning device. A movement of 1/16" may cause a 4 or 5 lbs. loss. Next, the string is treaded back through the frame in a 180 degree change of direction, becoming main string # 2. Again, 55 lbs. tension is applied to string # 2 and the clamp on string # 1 is removed. |
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| Now in addition to friction and stretch, a new element cause further tension loss. When the clamp is removed from string # 1, the short length of string that was between the clamp and the frame never receives the 55 lbs. tension exerted on string # 2. It is not transmitted back to string # 1 due to sharp angles of the string passing through the frame. This causes # 1 to lose approximately 2 more pounds. As more main strings are strung, their combined tension causes the frame to distort, becoming shorter and wider. The degree of distortion depends on the frame, with approximate loss of 10 lbs. tension.
By the time all the mains are strung at what you believe to be 55 lbs., the actual tension may often be in the 30 lbs. range because of the factors we have just covered. the outer mains (5,6,7) will tend to be tighter, producing less linear change in this area. As the cross string is woven across the mains at 55 lbs., each main string contacted causes friction and reduces the cross string actual tension to the mid 40 lbs. range. Again the clamp-off and retention procedure causes some tension loss. AS more strings are strung, the frame distorts, becoming narrower. This distortion in the opposite direction tightens the mains, as they follow a longer, wavy path. The main strings do not return to the original 55 lbs. tension. Stretch, racquet distortion, friction, machine operation and stringer's technique produce so many variables during the stringing process that the finished string tension is difficult to predict. All conditions being equal, and using the same material, different stringer's will often wind up with dissimilar string tensions for a given tension! |
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Stringmeterand Stringmeter MK VI are Trademarks of Stringmeter, Inc U.S. Patent # 5481926 |
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