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A stickbow is really nothing
more than a simple spring. When the archer pulls the string back the spring is loaded and energy is stored.
At the loose, the stored energy is transferred into the arrow, propelling it forward. We just defined
performance!
The two most important components of a bow’s performance are how much energy is stored when the bow is drawn and how much of that stored energy
goes into the arrow instead of being lost in the form of waste energy. Let’s discuss each
component a bit more.
Stored Energy How much energy, measured in foot-pounds (ft-lbs), a bow stores is a direct function
of its design. This section will teach you about the following energy concepts:
- Determining
how much energy a bow stores.
- Three different F/D curves
for three different bow designs.
- Common energy terminology
you need to know.
Read more on Stored Energy
Dynamic Efficiency
The other
very important variable in understanding a bow’s performance is its dynamic efficiency (DE). DE for
any particular bow is the ratio of the kinetic energy of the arrow after it leaves the bow divided by the stored energy, which
was explained in Stored Energy. This section will cover:
- Computing arrow kinetic energy.
- Testing with a shooting machine.
- Dynamic
efficiency of various bow types.
Making Accurate Measurements
Every variable that can be minimized is important when comparing one bow with another. Obviously
when shooting a bow through a chronograph a shooting machine is required. But what about the other things
that can have an effect on a bow’s performance? This section will cover:
- Draw weight scales.
- Arrow weight scales.
- Brace height.
- String weight.
- Arrow nock fit.
The Importance Of Arrow Speed
What does it mean when you hear that a bow is faster than another? First of all, you must remember
that measurements that are not acquired using precise and accurate procedures, equipment and testing techniques are suspect
at best....
Read More on Arrow Speed
Summarizing Bow Performance Okay. We’ve discussed the two main components which control bow performance:
energy storage and dynamic efficiency. Now let’s put together
some real world examples and see how important bow performance really is.
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