|
|
(WEST BEND, WI - November 7, 2000) Swing may be passé in some circles, but at PING, maker of the celebrated line of golf clubs which bear the name, swing is hotter than ever. Achieving precise swing weight tolerances is key to building custom clubs for a variety of golfers. The distinctive new design of PING's i3 irons and wedges allows for a multitude of different swing weights for men and women, while displaying the "i3" model for brand and product differentiation from the competition.
To achieve the design objectives, PING decided on an in-molded part - and to decorate it, they called on Serigraph Inc., a custom decorator based in West Bend, Wisconsin.
Tuning Port Is the Way to Swing
Called a Custom Tuning Port (CTP), the decorated thermoplastic insert allows for a precise swing weight, and displays the distinctive "i3" model. The walls of the CTP also control clubface vibration to improve feel and feedback. Serigraph sales representative Randy Kumagai worked closely with Dan Kubica, director of club development at PING, to achieve the precise swing weight tolerances required for building custom-fit golf clubs without grinding or other common altering methods that can affect the subtle features designed and cast into the club. Then, there was the question of decorating.
"We tried pad printing, but the ink durability and quality was not there," said Kubica. "In-mold was the only way to go. Fortunately for PING, Serigraph was there. The finished CTP achieves the high-quality `lens' look that customers expect from the PING brand."
Decorating Challenges Become Unique Solutions
PING had developed a proprietary resin system, which allowed for the molding of inserts of the same size with a variety of specific gravities. Serigraph was charged with creating a robust method for decoration that would provide weatherability, impact resistance, and resistance to potentially harmful chemicals.
In addition, Serigraph needed to develop inks that would withstand molding temperatures and a process to allow for adhesion of the film to the resin. "The resin was a real challenge," said Jan Livingston, IMD manager, at Serigraph's Decorating Technologies Institute. "It was very new, with varying densities and each of the 20-plus weights had a different composition," she explained. Serigraph's solution was to screen print the inserts second surface on clear, polymeric film.
Tooling had to be designed for forming, molding and die-cutting. Artwork had to be altered to adjust for distortion during the forming and molding process. Ramp-up from samples to production needed to occur within only a 12-week time frame.
Kubica credits the commitment of everyone involved in the project for its success, including Serigraph's in-mold manufacturing partner, Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Profile Plastics. "We were dealing with determined professionals who saw the potential and never gave up," he commented.
New Design Improves Production Efficiency
Consistent with PING's constant drive for quality, the new CTP insert design also allows for improved efficiency in production of club heads. "Where other club manufacturers need to over-produce club heads and maintain excess inventory, we were able to assist PING in streamlining production by better managing inventory levels to ensure swing weight demand," explained Scott Donlon, program manager at Serigraph. "The inserts provide cost-effective solutions that ultimately benefit PING's customers."
Serigraph also provided PING with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), to ensure small runs could be duplicated in mass production.
Serigraph has provided decorating solutions to PING on several projects, including PING's ISI Tour woods and golf bags.
The PING i3 series of irons and wedges for men and women includes Blade and O-Size irons for different levels of golfing expertise. Both the i3 Blade and i3 O-Size are available for right- and left-handed golfers, with different swing weights available for each. The women's i3 series comes with a rose-gold colored CTP insert with matching grips and graphite shafts.
The impressive results of the i3 design can also be seen on the PGA tour. Bob May and his i3 irons came within a playoff of beating the indomitable Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship tournament in August. Other PGA tour players already using the i3 series include Billy Mayfair, Jeff Maggert, Chris DiMarco, Miguel Jimenez, Rory Sabbitini and Steve Stricker. Popular LPGA i3 users include Pat Hurst, Heather Bowie, Amy Fruhwirth, and Carin Koch.
Based in West Bend, Wisconsin, Serigraph is one of the nation's largest industrial screen and offset printers. In addition to sporting goods market, the company supplies graphics to the automotive, marine, medical, appliance and point-of-purchase advertising industries. For more information, contact Serigraph at 1.262.335.7200 or 1.800.279.6060.
|
|
|
|
|
|
