How is shuttlecock made

Once the angle of the feathers has been adjusted, they are transferred to a machine that applies a bead of glue around the shuttlecock tip. This secures the feathers in place. To further stabilize the feathers, workers place the shuttlecock in a specialized sewing machine that binds them securely together with two rows of thread.

The threads stitch each feather to the next. This process strengthens the shuttlecocks helping them maintain their strength even when they are getting slammed back and forth over a net. When the machine is finished stitching the shuttlecock, a worked ties off the thread to keep it from unraveling and cuts off the excess.

Finally she evens out the thread rows. With the threads in place, the shuttlecocks must undergo a final tuning. A worker once again adjusts the feathers to ensure proper balance.

A machine applies glue to the threads of the shuttlecock locking them in place to give them the necessary rigidity. The thread is made to quickly absorb glue. The shuttle is now ready for action on the badminton court.

Now you know what to look out for when purchasing your shuttles. If you just want a bit of fun choose a nylon birdie from any of the brands listed above. For those of you playing regularly you will need to pay a bit more for durability. The best advice I can give is to check out a few reviews before buying. You can get really good nylon ones which should last more than just a few games.

Should you choose feathered or Synthetic badminton shuttlecocks? Serious competition or just a bit of fun. If you require more information on the sport you can head over to the BWF. Alternatively you can take a look at Badminton England or the BBC website which are good sources of information. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits.

Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary Necessary. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If the temperature rises in a region, the air density reduces, thus making it easier for you to use a slow shuttlecock.

It is for the same reason China uses speed shuttlecock in summer months but it opts for a slightly faster speed feather birdie in the winter months. Altitude The higher the altitude, the faster will be the shuttlecock. It is because the air density is lower compared to an area near sea level. If you are playing on a lower ground for example, below sea level , the speed of the feather birdie will be slower.

So, you must choose according to the altitude of the area. Get the latest badminton news straight to your inbox. When you sign up you agree to our terms and conditions. The history and making of the shuttlecock by badmintonfamly Aug 12, Articles , News 0 comments.

While badminton only becomes an official medal sport at the games of the 25th Olympiad in Barcelona in , the shuttlecock which is used for the game can trace back from more than two thousand years ago.

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The feathers are bleached to create the pure white color but the specifics of that, and any other post-treatment, were apparently lost in translation we're guessing intentionally.

Feathers are then categorized by the curvature, weight and length of the feather to determine their capability for spin and speed. Why feathers from the left wing?

When you hit it, it has to spin only one way. One made from the feathers of the right wing will spin differently—an inconsistency that screws up the game.

Mother Nature made the goose and the duck that way. Feathers are either from the left or right wing of the bird since using feathers from both wings in a single shuttle cock would affect the flight trajectory of that shuttle cock. The feathers used for producing one shuttlecock are 16 feathers from either right or left wing.

Source: Yonex Shuttlecock facts. An employee of Victor Racquets Industrial Corp of Taiwan which manufactures shuttlecocks also seems to agree with the above view. The goose feathers and duck are then sorted into left wing or right wing piles.

Only 6 or 7 feathers my source used the phrase "6 or 7 pieces of feathers" but I believe, from context, that this is just a mis-translation from Taiwanese from each wing can be used for shuttlecocks. Further, as feathers from left and right wings differ, a shuttle can have only feathers from one side of the goose. The 6 wings of 3 geese can produce 2 shuttlecocks 3 wings per shutte or 1. Source: Shuttle Construction. During tournaments the shuttle flight distance can vary.

This is because the speed of the shuttle is influenced by changes in the playing conditions - for example, heat and humidity that can change during the tournament. Source: Yonex Shuttle News. TL;DR: The feathered shuttlecocks used in badminton players are made up of 16 feathers either from the left or right wing of a goose or duck attached to a 'semi-ellipse' shaped cork.

As mentioned previously, the feather shuttlecock is made of 16 goose feathers with a skirt diameter of 65mm, mass is around 5. Source: Flight trajectory simulation of badminton shuttlecocks.

We have been told that just the feathers from the left wing of a goose are used for the best playing shuttle and at no time do the manufacturers ever mix left and right wing feathers in one shuttle.