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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Interesting, wonder how it would work in the Adamas (or maybe it already is)...this concerning new developments in the shaft of a golf club:
IROD’s success is in the complex material engineering that went into the shaft’s design.
Graphite is an “anisotropic” material, meaning the stiffness and strength properties are greater in the fiber direction than they are in any other direction. For most graphite shafts, the base material is a sheet of unidirectional (UD) prepreg in which the carbon fibers are all oriented in the same direction. Parts made of UD prepreg have high stiffness and strength in the fiber’s direction, but little stiffness or strength in any other direction.
The “Interlinked Carbon” material in IROD shafts is not unidirectional, but biaxial. In this prepreg, the carbon fibers are grouped together in tow sizes of 3K (3,000 individual fibers per bundle). These tows are woven together in a weave commonly referred to as ‘plain weave’ in which an equal number of 0-degree and 90-degree tows are interlaced over and under each other in an alternating fashion, giving its distinct appearance.
Everyone knows that golf shafts flex and oscillate along their axis. However, some flexing or deformation also occurs around the shaft’s circumference. During a golf swing, the normally round shaft becomes more oval as it is loaded. This phenomenon is more prevalent in the shaft’s butt section, where the diameter is larger and the walls are thinner. When this deformation occurs, the golfer perceives this as a weaker, less stable feeling in the shaft.
Most shafts are made from unidirectional prepreg, with the fibers placed along the shaft’s axis for stiffness. Other plies of unidirectional prepreg are placed at an intermediate angle (usually 45°) to the shaft axis to keep the torque low. But with no fiber in the “hoop” direction (around the shaft’s circumference), the hoop strength is low and deformation occurs.
In the IROD shafts, UST uses its “Interlinked Carbon” in the butt section to offset the weakening effect. Half of the “Interlinked Carbon” fibers are in the same direction of the shaft’s axis help provide stiffness in the hands. The other half are in the circumferential direction, adding to the shaft’s hoop strength, keeping it more round throughout the swing. Using Interlinked Carbon in the butt section offers superior control and stability in the hands. The weave style of this material also offers a classy look to the shaft, giving the customer visible proof that the technology is working in their favor. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I wany my guitar to sound good, not get in the way of a nice walk in the country (sorry Bill......) |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | He blinded me with science!!!
Brad |
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Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 146
Location: Ct./ USA | Golfshafts, helicopter trailing edges,helicopter main drive supports, servo flaps, in flight fuel boom, Fan spacers, main GE engine mounts,softball bats, guitar body's, guitar tops,guitar necks, wing spars (top secret) helicopter skins, car panels and on and on and on............have all gone GRAPHITE. I have had a chance to work on them all from playing softball too preforming, injection molding, shaping, bonding and lay up and stuff I forgot. The diffrence is in the end product. Guitar tops of graphite need flexability also a layer of thin wood veener. Why I can get sounds out of my Adamas not possible from wood, why because it is designed to be flexable and vibrate. Most of the other products are made for structural applications like a golfshaft that needs flex for that sweet spot to drive a golf ball into the next state. Hensforth its structural layup. Wings need to flex. The loading and unloading results in fatigue that graphite can endure better than exotic metals from overseas. I really like your analysis of graphite, Tony, are you an engineer? |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | re: Tony, are you an engineer?
Not by formal education but I built a 26 foot wind tunnel at eleven and this area always fascinated me. We can see the experimentation in the Adamas lines...not convinced that the final solution has been found. There are so many factors that affect the production of a guitar, both as an instrument and a marketable product. Is the quality instrument sacrificed for the market? Can quality be maintained or improved with out loss of market? I say this knowing that Adamas celebrates next year 30 years.
Long story but my father is one of the true rocket scientists - one of chief designers of Atlas missle, B-36, B-48, etc...didn't see him from age 6 until I was 18. When I was the Electronic Warefare Officer (Marine Corps), I was Vice-President of IEEE and Vice-President (acting President) of Old Crows (electronic-warfare.)
By the way, got the Millennium from Woz and an '87 Adamas I that Kim is working on - had seller send it directly to have a little TLC. Trying to have patience for the 2005 NAMM. Keep up the great work! |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Tony, It's cool to see the fire in your eyes! I'm no Rocket Scientist but I can see there are a lot of cool techniques, materials and ideas out there.
The Factory is very busy right now supporting their brainchild successes. Marketing dictates you take care of one inovation at a time or you replicate and explode.
Let's watch! |
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Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 146
Location: Ct./ USA | WOW!!!!!!! |
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Graphite - new developments
