Abstract
This paper describes how a revolutionary new process was devised for producing top quality tennis rackets from carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic by a specially developed injection moulding process. The product and process were evolved following an initial study by a multi-discipline team in January 1978 which led to a fully engineered manufacturing process starting production in November 1980.
The new racket undercuts the price of competitors' carbon fibre composite rackets in a market sector of growing importance, and the ‘added value’ of the product is significantly higher than that for conventional wooden rackets currently manufactured by the Company. When other comparisons are made with wooden racket manufacture, the new product and process show advantages in nearly every aspect of production efficiency.
The new racket and process which are protected by three patents, won a Design Council Award in 1981 and was the winner of the Willis Faber Manufacturing Effectiveness Award organized by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in May 1982.
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