Milled Golf Club Face Texture for Spin and Bulge-Roll Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal wood golf club heads face challenges in achieving tight bulge/roll tolerances and reducing spin imparted on golf balls, leading to variability in performance across club heads of the same design, particularly in low-lofted clubs, which affects carry distance and flight path.
Innovation Solution
The use of milled ball striking surfaces with specific surface parameters, such as RA/WVoid ratio and WVDCL, to control spin and friction, combined with advanced manufacturing techniques like CNC milling and welding, allows for precise customization of the face texture to optimize spin characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional coining and machining processes are used to form the strike plate, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the bulge and roll tolerances are loose leading to variability in performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies CNC milling with controlled cutting parameters (depth of cut, feed rate, spindle speed) to achieve tight bulge and roll tolerances. By precisely controlling these machining parameters, the process achieves superior dimensional accuracy compared to conventional coining and machining, while maintaining a manageable manufacturing process through automated CNC control.
2Productivity
If conventional brushing surface finish is applied, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the spin imparted on the golf ball is not controlled leading to reduced carry distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface treatments to different regions of the strike face. The center portion receives a first surface treatment (such as brushing or polishing) while the peripheral portion receives a second surface treatment (such as milling or shot peening). This localized differentiation optimizes spin control and carry distance by creating specific friction characteristics in different impact zones, while keeping the overall process manageable through standardized treatment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates surface treatment as an integral part of the manufacturing process sequence. The strike plate undergoes coining, machining, and surface treatment in a predetermined sequence before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of the surface characteristics ensures that the spin and friction properties are established before the club is put into service, optimizing carry distance from the outset.
3Reliability
If uniform surface finish is applied across the entire face, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the spin characteristics cannot be optimized for different impact locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the strike face into distinct regions (center portion and peripheral portion) and applies different surface treatments to each region. This creates localized friction and spin characteristics that optimize performance for different impact locations. The center portion may have a smoother finish for lower spin on centered shots, while the peripheral portion has a rougher texture for higher spin on off-center shots, improving overall performance consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the strike face surface into multiple treatment zones. By dividing the face into regions that receive different surface treatments, the design accommodates the varying friction and spin requirements of different impact locations. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently, resulting in more reliable and consistent performance across various shot types and impact points.
Data Source
AI summary
A wood-style golf club head includes a strike face and a body that cooperate to define a hollow internal club head volume. The strike face formed from a strike plate having an outer perimeter and a frame surrounding the strike plate. The strike plate is affixed to the frame across the entire outer perimeter. The strike plate and frame define a continuous ball striking surface that has a surface texture characteristic of milling that extends continuously across both the strike plate and the frame.