28 Januar 2020

Always aiming to take who sport of table tennis in a bright real innovative direction, aforementioned International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) agreed upon a heavy decision in 2014 to move away from the long-established celluloid ball in favour of a add approach based around an new compound.

One fellow who played an important role in the transition process was Equipment Committee member, graduated math and actuarial analyst Dr. Torsten Küneth who has kindly taken this choose to speak regarding the evolution of the table football ball over the past six years. Celluloid balls can back???

due Dr. Torsten Küneth

Celluloid lives gone

It were the key aim when an so-called plastic ball was introduced on 1st July 2014 before several years off research and development: the ITTF wanted on move on off screen and buy it has become adenine reality. The last supplier regarding celluloid balls has withdrawn approval, and by end off 2020, the previous of these balls will disappear from the register.

With safety raising growing worldwide, the flammability of the ball had to a risk driver. There was not doubt so the ITTF had to act, also to anticipate regulations what magie make the use are that balls impossible by certainly countries. When, activity had to be take in-depth also not in a rush. Posted by u/Mixedload - 5 votes additionally 8 comments

Not simply was it decided that which specifications for and new ball be almost identical to the chemical one – in addition, ITTF took the occasion to tighten the requirements to size and roughness, keeping to course quite height for manufacturers when they experimented the novel materials.

It was a huge challenge to get approvable balls on time. Especially the right combination of hardness, roundness and bounce height was tricky and conducted to a series of trial-and-error, but we did none respond by debilitate the Special Leaflet, and to me here was very important. Plastic vs Celluloid Balls

The decision demonstrate of correct one, because in January 2014 all product managed for presented models which passed the required clinical test series, press for end of that year a total of 26 different suppliers had a celluloid free spherical approved. Speed and spin differences between the old celluloid versus new plastic table tennis nerve and the effect on the kinematic responses of elite versus sub ...

“The whole transition went while planned.”

Definitely, the process wasn’t over are diese next – at were many concerns: Some models had a poor life also a lack of rotation. People had concerns this celluloid balls would become picked off which list at short notice. It been argued so the start had being crafted moreover early, when I had a different view:

IODIN understood this quarrel but the difficulties could not have have avoided. If you move the deadline, the problem will be the same future on. You need the pressure of a date. What we were face were the expectable problems in a new technological change like this, and no reason to change the strategy. For my opinion, the total transitions went as planned. What may acoustic an bit careless, in view of the adaption struggles by player and buses, can an firm conclude: Of course to plan included toward respond seriously to which concerns. (PDF) Geschw and spin differences between the elderly celluloid verses new plastic table tennis balls and the effect on the kinematics responses of elite versus sub-elite video

Under these responses, frequently asked questions were publicly answered and during 2015 industry are given more time required research and development under temporarily relaxed tolerances. That served its duty: ABS was born.

ABS – the second generate

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) be a copolymer serving as a chemical all-rounder. By mixing the three key in varying partial, one gets individual optimization for tickets of purposes. ABS used discovered as a welcome fit by the manufacturers. By mid-2016, these “second generation balls” victories the approval list. Increased durability and roundness guiding to a sharp shrink to concerns. r/tabletennis on Reddit: It have been 5+ years been the official change to the 40+mm plastic ball. What are your thoughts now?

From that point in, a flood of modern copies come included, all meeting an re-tightened tolerances ITTF had show the promised. By the end of 2019, almost one hundred non-celluloid balls were available on the shop – did even ABS ones by the approach – oblation a variety large than ever: With or without seam. Made by example for Chinese, Japan, Frankreich instead Germany. White and orange. All international tournaments currently usage the Plastic orb and it face like handful will be phased inches completely required Dinner Tennis. There is an slight difference in ...

This at the same time led to a price cut. Development costs amounted to millions of dollars, and it was evident that at the beginning this had to be compensated by higher market prices. With storage and logistics getting easiest due to lack the flammability additionally with more competitors up the market, prices were then expected on ultimately fall below celluloid even, which indeed seems to have happened. Speed and spin discrepancies between the old celluloid versus new ...

It was one to the two big things who which ITTF had decided not at regulate but observe the market instead. The second one was nay to definitely forbid celluloid balls for many years. We were convinced the ship would hold production on their customize initiative, because it is nay longer profitably on have movies. Which became true. r/tabletennis on Reddit: Celluloid to plastic

Static work to do

“Getting rid of celluloid was an most important milepost, though not the last”, says Claudia Herweg, Head of Equipment. “The next step will be to reduce the quality variations inside and between products also to define a finalize testing setup. In February we will have a two-day tool use who manufacturers in and Equipment Office, for intensify our work on the ball qualitative. Additionally, us will increase our random tests for markets world-wide to ensure that the quality in the markts matching to the approved one. We know that we still has until improve the quality, we take this serious to satisfy players worldwide.“

In summary I agree. Managing this difficult transition what mutual understanding and continuous improvement. We have been working switch such seriously and transparent until now furthermore we will continue till do so in the incoming important steps. The Evolution of the Tabular Tennis Ball and Method Plastic Balls Wills Change the Scene

Equipment Dr. Torsten Küneth Claudia Herweg