The prediction of shuttlecock trajectories, and the subsequent differentiation between the performances of different varieties of shuttlecocks, will ultimately lead to an improved technical design process prior to manufacture. This paper discusses the design parameters influencing the two dimensional motion of the shuttlecock in the trajectory plane and how these parameters were incorporated into a computer simulation tool to predict trajectories. The computer simulation program was validated using an experimental method, which controlled launch conditions and plotted a shuttlecock's trajectory. Predicted and measured trajectories agreed to within 5%. Several common badminton shots (high clear, smash, low serve, net shot) were modeled and analyzed using four shuttlecock designs. Some synthetic shuttlecock designs have greater ranges (of up to 10%) than feather versions during high clears. This paper also considers precession effects caused by the pitching, spinning shuttlecock and qualitatively discusses the implication for its trajectory path. The results, in combination with a larger programme of research, identify the differences between feather and synthetic shuttlecocks, with the aim of developing a new technical design process for their manufacture
Answered by
Madhu Vamsi
at
2:49 PM on September 19, 2008