Test Rig

Our test rig was designed on the principle of a pendulum. We chose this for two reasons, first was for its ease of repeatability with consistent results. Secondly it allowed us to hit the bat at different locations while providing a consistent force. When a pendulum of the same length is released from the same angle it will strike the bat with the same force. In order to strike the bat at different locations the height of the pendulum was raised while holding the length of the pendulum. Each bat was hit at one inch increments for the lower third (barrel part) of the bat starting at the bottom of the bat. This procedure was repeated for each bat. More information about pendulums can be found here.