What is advantage of box beam?

[DNA2002]

I am using Prostaff BLX 95 (16x19) which has box beam. Previously I used PS tour 90 which is also box beam. I used the other prostaffs such as BLX 95 (16x18) and 6.1 classic. But I prefer box beam. Those are good for feel to me, but lack of power.

I am just curious what is advantage of box beam? Is it more feel, or more stability,,, I know box beam is not good for penetrating air. Let me know difference between box beam and round one.

 

[OHBH]

Just a different feel because box beams aren't hollow inside while rounder beams have space inside them. A box beam probably makes a racket play slightly more flexible as well.

 

[corners]

I am using Prostaff BLX 95 (16x19) which has box beam. Previously I used PS tour 90 which is also box beam. I used the other prostaffs such as BLX 95 (16x18) and 6.1 classic. But I prefer box beam. Those are good for feel to me, but lack of power.

I am just curious what is advantage of box beam? Is it more feel, or more stability,,, I know box beam is not good for penetrating air. Let me know difference between box beam and round one.

People who like box beams like them primarily because they seem to offer a kind of feel that beams of other shapes never have. I think this is partly due to the shape, and partly due to the fact that box beams are generally narrow, which means that in order to make them close to as stiff as thicker beams more graphite is used in the layup. So box beams generally have a "solid" or "thick" feel as compared to a "hollow" feel.

Also, if you look at the hoop of a Wilson 90 you see that the box is pretty square, which means that the beam is thicker from the front view - the distance between the inside and outside of the beam is pretty thick compared to many oval shafts. Thickness in this dimension stiffens the hoop in the plane of the stringbed. When the ball impacts the strings, typically the hoop "folds" so that the sides of the hoop at 3&9 are pulled toward the center of the stringbed. Wilson 90s seem to resist this type of bending which makes for a very solid feeling in the hoop. (Of course, the mass also contributes to the solid feeling) At the same time, the beam is pretty narrow (17-18mm) in the plane perpendicular to the stringbed (the plane in which stiffness ratings are measured) so the hoop is flexible in that dimension, which means it is still comfortable and "holds" the ball on the strings longer. (Long dwell time, which also seems to improve "feel".)

That's not to say that oval beams can't be made to flex in the same ways, but box beams seem to have some characteristics that become kind of addictive. The downside is that nobody seems to be able to make a true box beam in 98-100 headsize that plays well.

 

[Power Player]

That's not to say that oval beams can't be made to flex in the same ways, but box beams seem to have some characteristics that become kind of addictive. The downside is that nobody seems to be able to make a true box beam in 98-100 headsize that plays well.

I am not sure if it is a true Box beam, but if so, the Pure Storms fit that description.

 

[yonexRx32]

Just a different feel because box beams aren't hollow inside while rounder beams have space inside them. A box beam probably makes a racket play slightly more flexible as well.

Actually, if you take a hacksaw to your box beam racket you will likely see that it is hollow inside. The vast majority are. There are some that are filled with a low density foam. There are also a very few, very narrow beam rackets that are not hollow, some late models of Donnay for example, but they are the exception.
Box beam refers to the square section of the frame. The square shape makes the racket deform more uniformly in the direction perpendicular to the impact with the ball, and less likely to twist. Hence the increased stability and control of the frame.

 

[Power Player]

Actually, if you take a hacksaw to your box beam racket you will likely see that it is hollow inside. The vast majority are. There are some that are filled with a low density foam. There are also a very few, very narrow beam rackets that are not hollow, some late models of Donnay for example, but they are the exception.
Box beam refers to the square section of the frame. The square shape makes the racket deform more uniformly in the direction perpendicular to the impact with the ball, and less likely to twist. Hence the increased stability and control of the frame.

This is true. There is a picture posted of a hacksawed pro staff somewhere here and it is indeed hollow.

 

[jacp]

ALso: Not all box beams are created equal

I have both Wilson BLX PS 6.1 90 and Dunlop 4D 100. They both fall in that cathegory, however looking just at listed specs can be deceiving. I am talking about beam between throat and handle.
Wilson's beam is actually more like barrel than box, its width in widest point is approx. 13mm.
Dunlop's beam is really rectangular (box) with width of approx. 10mm.
So it is really hard to say which profile is stiffer (irregardles of RDC number): 17.5 x 13 mm barrel or 19 x 10mm box.
I am really curious if somebody really saw solid beam, made completely of of fibers. IMO it would be too stiif, too heavy and too difficult to manufacture.
Standard racquets manufacturing practice is wrap layers of fiber over shaped core, pull out core and process fibers in mold.

 

[LeeD]

Box beams = easy grip change and finding the face of the racket.

 

[jimbo333]

Box beams = easy grip change and finding the face of the racket.

Simpler than that for me. With box beams, if you frame the ball it often still goes over the net, usually for a lucky winner!

 

[LeeD]

I frame all the time with my Aero500 for clean winners, usually topspin lobs that bounce over the backcourt player.
Racket has a D beam.

 

[db10s]

I am not sure if it is a true Box beam, but if so, the Pure Storms fit that description.

Or maybe a Bio Max 200G?

 

[Lefty78]

Standard racquets manufacturing practice is wrap layers of fiber over shaped core, pull out core and process fibers in mold.

Um, no. It's not.

 

[tistrapukcipeht]

There is no advantage at all, it's all in your minds!

There is advantage in the 3D Vector shaft and SD grid

 

[MAXXply]

I play and swing most confidently with box beams. The thicker the front sections the better (in proportion to the beam width), i.e the squarer the box beam the better I like it. I put it down to the frame's equidistant(?) widths seem to absorb and deflect impact in equal proportions(?) resulting in a more uniform feel.

For example, take the 1986 HEAD Graphite Pro (Austria). It is much thicker edged and boxier than the PC600, to my eyes at least. The PC600 and modern Prestiges/Dunlops etc have that rectangular/flatter beam, right? I wished they returned to the boxier profiles instead.

The "oval" beams of the 6.1 95's I am ok with but the feel of a true box beam just seems inextricably linked to my game. Then again, maybe it's just because it's something I grew up with, before the introduction of widebodies.