Cue shot machine...

[Inferno]

Aside from playing pool, I occasionally like to go bowling. I used to be really into bowling and even had a tournament in Reno in the National Bowling Stadium.
One thing there that really impressed me was their ball test machine. It was a regulation lane that had the ability to throw the exact shot over and over. This allowed a ball buyer to choose a ball, not on reputation but, by actual observation.


I wonder if anyone has ever built a cue shot machine?

It's one thing to have a well named cuemaker build a cue to exacting standards but, if cues are actual tools of the trade, it would be nice to side-by-side test cues removing the human factor.

I can envision a setup with a cue holer robot. And then a laser system for positioning the cue ball and then simply removing one cue and inserting the other.
It could test multiple tip configurations. It could record shaft vibration and feedback. It could have all kinds of sensors.
Since it would be repositionable on a table it could measure the deflection of the cue ball when English is applied as well as the exit angles of the bank.

Wouldn't it be nice to have such a machine out there?

And if there is one, where is it?

 

[rrick33]

Bob Meucci, built a mechanism (robotic arm) that mimicked the natural movement of the human arm so that he could test his red dot LD shafts and compare the results.

Google around and you may find a link to the video footage.

 

[Inferno]

Bob Meucci, built a mechanism (robotic arm) that mimicked the natural movement of the human arm so that he could test his red dot LD shafts and compare the results.

Google around and you may find a link to the video footage.

Thanks.

I wonder if it's still around or if he uses it.

I also wonder if the industry would need such a machine. Personally, I think it would be pretty cool to have a consumer reports type of test done on pool cues. Maybe the cue builders don't want to know how their cues compare on a mechanical scale. Who knows?

 

[3kushn]

Too many variables one tree to the next.
Can't be done unless you want graphite or aluminum cues.

 

[Inferno]

Too many variables one tree to the next.
Can't be done unless you want graphite or aluminum cues.

I don't understand why you would say that. I can think of a dozen ways to grip the butt and guide the shaft. (Wow, I should use that when I am trying to pick up women in the bar) No pun intended.

With servo or stepper motors it would be easy to replicate a shot over and over.

As for the wood to make the cue, that's what we would be researching. Theoretically, if one builder is saying their cue is better then it would have a constant construction technique. Granted, each cue would be "unique" but if a cuemaker had a machine then they could test each one and give it's characteristics. That would be the entire purpose.

What variable, other than chalk could need to be addressed?