Polymers in Sport and Leisure

References and Abstracts
applications, road noise abatement, energy recovery
schemes, and sports and road surfacing.
EUROPE-GENERAL
Accession no.726354
Item 126
Machine Design
71, No.5, 11th March 1999, p.64-5
POLYMER BEARINGS KEEP A SPORTS CAR
LEAN
Zalud T
Advantages of polymer bearings from Igus Inc. are
described, as used in the design of a sports car from Carrol
Shelby. As well as weight reduction, the self-lubricating
bearings are able to withstand temperatures and are
corrosion resistant. Bearing applications on the Shelby
series 1 are described.
IGUS INC.
USA
Accession no.726334
Item 127
Kunststoffe Plast Europe
89, No.2, Feb. 1999, p.31-4. (Translated from
Kunststoffe 89 (1999), 2, pp.95-9).
FIBRE COMPOSITE MOUNTAIN BIKE
Ziegmann G; Hintermann M
Clausthal,Technical University; Alusuisse Airex AG
The design and manufacture is described of a fibre
composite mountain bike which is given as an example
of a strategy for the development of highly integrated
structures. The many possibilities that exist for integrating
different functions in a structure which is produced in a
single production operation are discussed in this full
suspension mountain bike example, which was the result
of a Eureka project. Consideration is given to the
requirements of the components and the process, and
factors determining the selection of the process and
materials used are examined. 14 refs.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; GERMANY;
SWITZERLAND; WESTERN EUROPE
Accession no.726069
Item 128
Reinforced Plastics
43, No.3, March 1999, p.38-41
LARGE TOW CARBON FIBRE BENEFITS
SPORTING GOODS
McConnell V
The sporting goods market is a key beneficiary of the
cost effectiveness of large tow carbon fibre. In 1998,
Aldila used large tow carbon fibre in approximately 50%
of all its golf shafts, versus 30% in 1997. The company’s
primary fabrication method is roll wrapping, although it
has had the capability of filament winding its shafts since
1992. Creative Composites developed prototypes of a
large tow carbon fibre/epoxy suspension assembly to
replace the standard metal parts in snowmobiles.
CREATIVE COMPOSITES; ALDILA INC.
USA
Accession no.725997
Item 129
Reinforced Plastics
43, No.2, Feb.1999, p.36-8
FLETCHER STRIVES FOR SUCCESS
THROUGH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Gilby J
Fletcher International Products has evolved to become a
highly competitive company in the European composite
sports boat market, selling around 1000 GRP boats a year.
Diversification outside of boats began with the task of restyling
the three-wheeled Reliant car which was taken on
by Fletcher during 1998. The company also supplies GRP
shower trays to Armitage Shanks and engine covers to JCB.
FLETCHER INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS PLC
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;
WESTERN EUROPE
Accession no.725976
Item 130
Rubber and Plastics News
28, No.16, 8th March 1999, p.29
AMERICANS SPEND MORE ON SPORTING
GOODS IN ’98
US spending on sporting goods equipment rose slightly
in 1998, but gains in the equipment sector were offset by
a 6.3% drop in purchases of athletic footwear. Consumer
spending on athletic footwear fell to 13.8bn US dollars
last year. Overall spending on sports equipment rose 1.7%
to 7.1bn US dollars. Sales this year are expected to rise
about 2.6%.
USA
Accession no.724478
Item 131
Injection Molding
7, No.1, Jan.1999, p.87/90
GOLF GAME NOT ON PAR? DON’T BLAME
THE BALL
Kirkland C
This article provides a company profile of Wilson Sporting
Goods Co. of the USA, one of the top three large-volume
manufacturers of golf balls in the world today. It discusses
scrap rates, business practices, employee turnover,
materials, training, and the company’s plant at Humboldt,
Tennessee.
WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.; CONAIR
USA
Accession no.723638
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