Month: October 2022

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Dunlop Swingweight Machine Linearity Testing

Recently, I had the opportunity to test a Dunlop swingweight machine, so I measured the set of reference rods from the Briffidi SW1 Linearity Testing. I had previously seen data from an old Babolat RDC (Spurr) that showed significant non-linearity across the measurement range, but I expected the modern Dunlop machine to be better. The following data is from just one machine, and I hesitated to share it, but if I were any other tennis nerd without a competing product, I would have shared it without even thinking.

I verified that the Dunlop machine was calibrated and level. As describe in the SW1 testing, the reference rods were calculated from mass and length measurements. I measured the swingweight of each reference rod, in both orientations, on the Dunlop machine. The results are summarized in Table 1, and the deviation is plotted in Figure 1.

Calculated
(kg·cm²)		Mean Measured
(kg·cm²)		Deviation
(kg·cm²)
0.00 (empty)27.027.00
25.2146.020.79
50.0766.015.93
100.23108.07.77
149.89149.00.89
202.74198.5-4.24
250.37244.0-6.37
303.71299.0-4.71
355.61356.51.89
400.75397.0-3.75
Table 1 – Measurements of Reference Rods with Dunlop Machine
Figure 1 – Plot of Measured Swingweight Deviation by Reference Rod

Except for the outlier at ~400 kg·cm², there is a clear pattern to the deviation results. I don’t know enough about how the machine works to explain that outlier. The Dunlop calibration rod is marked 200±1 kg·cm², but there is significant deviation even there. It measured 204 kg·cm² on an SW1. There is both a shift due to the out-of-spec. calibration rod and significant non-linearity across the measurement range.

My goal is not to disparage the Dunlop machine, but I don’t mind pointing out that a big brand name or price tag doesn’t ensure greater accuracy. Even with the considerable inaccuracy, the Dunlop is still a useful tool. It looks and feels like a device you’d see in a professional setting, and the racket cradle is quite nice. Most importantly, it provided repeatable measurements, and that’s enough to match rackets. However, even at equal cost, I’d pick the SW1, as the accurate measurements (along with my spreadsheet) usually allow me to hit my target specs on the first try.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Effect of Leveling on Briffidi SW1 Measurements

I previously completed some linearity testing as described in Briffidi SW1 Linearity Testing, and I recently repeated the testing with the SW1 intentionally not level.

First, I leveled the device and then raised the rear foot by two turns (1 mm). I took measurements at ten points, as described in the prior post, except I reduced the number of measurements from five to two in each configuration, as five seemed like overkill. Then, I returned the rear foot to level and raised the left-side foot by two turns (1 mm), and repeated the testing.

The plots below show the results of the prior, level testing and the two non-level configurations. For each, I calculated the calibration values in two ways. For Figure 1, similar to the standard calibration procedure, I used the measurements nearest to 150 and 300 kg·cm². For Figure 2, I used the measurements at zero (empty) and nearest to 150 kg·cm².

Figure 1 – Swingweight Deviations with 150 and 300 kg·cm² Calibration

With the standard calibration, using the measurements nearest to 150 and 300 kg·cm², the deviation is fairly small in the range of normal tennis rackets, regardless of leveling. With the rear raised, the effect of gravity is seen at higher swingweights. Gravity adds to the spring force and reduces the period of oscillation. With the left side raised, there is an effect at low swingweights that I don’t fully understand.

Figure 2 – Swingweight Deviations with 0 and 150 kg·cm² Calibration

With the 0 and 150 kg·cm² calibration, the non-linearity of the measurements is a bit more apparent. Raising the rear actually seemed to offset some of the non-linearity present when level. Raising the left side seemed to add to it.

My take-away is that for measuring typical tennis rackets, calibration does a good job of compensating for leveling error. If you’re going to calibrate after, it’s not necessary to spend much time leveling. If your surface is fairly level, it’s probably fine to just leave the leveling feet all-the-way in. Leveling would still be important if you wanted to move the SW1 and not re-calibrate, perhaps if you were taking the device somewhere without the calibration rod. If the device is level when calibrated and level after being moved, the measurements should be good.