How Its Made: Compound Bow

Compound Archery Bow

Function:

-The compound bow functions by using flexible fiberglass limbs, cams and string to propel an arrow through the air to strike a desired target.

-The purpose of the compound bow is to provide a hunter with an accurate means of killing prey. Also the compound bow is used for shooting inanimate targets for recreation or competition.

Personality:

-The center section (frame) is ridged and provides a steady place for the user to hold the bow as well as provide a base for the limbs to be mounted.  At the each end of the frame there is a flexible fiberglass limb with a cam mounted on the end to multiply the exertion force on the arrow greater than the force used to draw the arrow back to the shooting position.

Manufactures:

-The particular compound bow researched is made by Bowtech, there are many manufactures that produce this product utilizing similar practices.  To name a few of the companies, Alpine, Athens, Bear, Ben Pearson, Browning, Darton, Diamond, Elite, G5, Hoyt, Limbsaver, Martin, Mathews, Mission, Parker, PSE, Ross, Rytera, and Strother

Market:

-Depending on the desired purpose of the product, the compound bow is marketed towards different target groups.  Some bows are more tailored for hunting, while some are more designed for the recreational or competition target shooter.

Materials:

-Aluminum for the main framework

-Laminate sheets of fiberglass placed over a wood core to provide flexibility in the limbs that will propel the arrow.

-Non-elastic synthetic string that is attached to the fiberglass limbs and transfers the flexing force of the limbs into thrust for the arrow.

- Rubber dampeners to reduce the oscillation and noise of the string when loosed.

 Forming Technologies:

-The frame of the bow is formed from a single block of aluminum.

-The limbs are constructed by laminating layers of fiberglass over a core of wood.  The strength of the force exerted on the arrow is determined by the thickness of fiberglass and wood core.

Cutting Technologies:

-The frame work starts out as a single piece of aluminum that is cut out into a basic shape using either a laser cutter or a water jet. For the final shape it is milled using a CNC, (Computer Numerical Control) machine to give the frame the exact shape and style desired by the manufacture.  By cutting holes and/or notches in the frame the overall weight of the bow can be dramatically reduced while retaining enough structural integrity to maintain the original shape.

Finishing Technologies:

-Ink graphics on a starch based film paper are placed into a large tank of water.  The starch paper is dissolved by the water leaving only the ink graphic floating on the water’s surface. The frame is then dipped into the water through the ink that sticks to the frame covering every surface seamlessly.

-After the ink graphic has dried, an acrylic clear coat is sprayed over the graphics to protect them.

Overall Impressions:

-It is very impressive that over the millennia’s, bows have been used by cultures all over the world and even though the materials and production have improved the bow’s accuracy and longevity, it remains close to the original design.

-Bowtech astonishingly produces a completed bow every 3.5 minutes.