DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF TENNIS STRING MANUFACTURING

Have you ever wondered how tennis and squash strings are made?

Follow the leader !

STEP 1: CREATING THE ROPE

To understand the manufacturing of rope, one must first go back to its conceptualization.

This step requires a thorough and complex analysis: understanding the needs of the players to find the product that will help them improve their performance level or playing comfort.

Thus, when Tecnifibre invented a unique new technology, polyurethane, in 1983, it revolutionized the market. "TGV", "NRG²", or "X-One" strings are constructed around a core made of synthetic fibers immersed in polyurethane.

These ropes were developed in particular to get closer to gut ropes: an assembly of fibers of different materials such as polyamide or polyester is wrapped with a more resistant coating.

The goal: to offer players more comfort and playability, unlike polyester, which is much more rigid and a source of arm and shoulder injuries for players.

STEP 2: ROPE MAKING

Once the concept is defined, the manufacturing phase begins.

It is therefore necessary to delve into the technical considerations, to imagine the necessary materials and the assembly process.

In the case of Tecnifibre, it is the Cousin Frères factory, with its long industrial tradition in net making, that manufactures 100% French-made ropes. A leader in the multifilament segment, the factory implements manufacturing processes according to precise specifications.

The raw materials are yarn and polyurethane. The yarn is delivered in large spools, of which the factory consumes over 20 tons per year. Each strand is then individually impregnated by machines with solvent-based polyurethane resin. It is possible to mix the fibers in the rope (polyamide/polyester), color the resin, or even adjust the rope's twist and the strand tension.

The key steps? Solvent removal, polyurethane melting, and smoothing.

The key factors are the raw material, the temperature, the speed of production and the number of turns per meter that are put into the ropes (…).

"I think there's real expertise here. We've always wanted to maintain control over production. Many of our competitors have outsourced to distant countries; at Tecnifibre, we even continue to package our products locally." Jean-Christophe François - Production Manager

STEP 3: TESTING AND MARKET LAUNCH

Once the stringing is created, comes the crucial time for full-scale testing.

The sample is then adjusted to match the needs of the players and the brand's quality charter.

To this end, external tests are conducted. For the feel of the game, they are notably tested by a former professional player whose mission is to push the strings to their limit. Shots, and more shots.

These tests are supervised by technical verifications in the laboratory.

"Dynamic testing allows us to get an idea of ​​the dynamic response of a string once it's mounted on a racket," explains Frédéric Salomon, R&D engineer.

When all parties have agreed and the product is perfectly calibrated, then comes the real time for marketing.

To offer the players the very best!