Compound bows typically feature idler wheels or pulleys mounted concentrically on axles at their limb tips. Some bows also have eccentric elements, commonly referred to as cams, located at a handle riser or other intermediate position on the bow limb.
Conventionally, the pivot axle of an eccentric is journaled through a simple sleeve bearing or bushing. While this system has worked well in the past, its inherent limitations on wear life, accuracy, and stability when using compound bow eccentric systems.
Stability
Stability is the property of many systems that resist abrupt changes in motion. This property of stability can be beneficial in certain parts of our world, like buildings and vehicles that don’t collapse under heavy rain or snowfall. On other occasions, stability is necessary to uphold safety standards in hazardous environments like hospitals and semiconductor manufacturing plants.
One example of stability in action is an airliner. Although it can be buffeted by wind and other external forces, a plane that has good stability will remain in one direction for extended periods with little effort from its pilot.
Another example of stability in nature is nuclear isotopes. While most atomic nuclei are unstable, certain isotopes possess a small degree of stability and tend to stay stable over long periods.
Compound bows are composed of two limbs that protrude in opposite directions from the grip (usually comprising the central portion of a handle riser). These limbs are mounted on axles connected and an eccentric pulley.
These eccentric pulleys are mounted concentrically or eccentrically on the axles, typically within a notch at each limb’s distal end or within bracket structures at their tips. This allows them to pivot in opposite directions with minimal mechanical flexing, giving archers a leverage advantage.
Compound bows feature rigid limbs, making them more energy efficient than other bows. This results in less dissipation of energy during limb movement and higher levels of accuracy.
Stability can be further increased with a ball-bearing bow. In this instance, the limbs are equipped with an eccentric that mounts to a pivot axle which passes through mounting bracketry on the bow and through bearings carried by the cam/bearing assembly. Once secured, fasteners hold down this axle in place.
Ball-bearing bows can be an ideal choice for shooting arrows, boasting a high-efficiency power factor and low sensitivity to temperature or humidity changes. Unfortunately, these bows tend to be expensive and may not suit every archer’s needs.
Performance
When selecting a compound bow, there are numerous factors to take into account. Performance and accuracy should be two of the top priorities when making your selection.
The materials used to craft a bow have an immense effect on its performance and durability. These can range from self-bows (made only of wood) to laminated bows with multiple layers glued together.
When choosing your bow, the shape of its limbs is important to consider. Most bows feature parallel limbs for optimal performance.
This type of limb design helps to enhance the stability and performance of your bow, as well as how much energy is transferred to the arrow during the draw cycle.
Compound bow limbs can be constructed from wood, plastic, or metal and they may even be designed asymmetrically – meaning there are different lengths on each side of the bow.
When selecting a compound bow, weight is another important factor to consider. Generally speaking, compound bows are lighter than traditional bows and this allows you to shoot larger arrows at slower speeds.
Shooting an arrow through thicker trees becomes much simpler with this setup, as your bow will be less likely to catch on branches.
A bow may feature a dual caliper release, consisting of two symmetrical jaws that open simultaneously when you pull the trigger. This type of release reduces noise and vibrations when shooting close-range targets.
Ball bearings are often employed on compound bows, as they enable the arrow to travel farther and with greater accuracy due to reduced friction between it and the string. This helps transfer more energy from the bow to the arrow.
Ball bearings also help reduce wind resistance, making it easier for the arrow to fly farther. This feature is especially advantageous in cold climates or if you need a bow that shoots faster and more accurately than average.
Accuracy
Compound bow accuracy is determined by several factors, including arrow type, cam system, axle-to-axle length and draw weight. Each of these elements contributes to the speed of the bow and ultimately its IBO (International Bowman’s Organization) rating.
Compound archers often utilize different arrows to enhance their shooting accuracy. This is an effective strategy for increasing the bow’s stability.
One of the most commonly used arrow types in compound archery is the steel ball arrow, which boasts high accuracy. Crafted from composite material designed for high-pressure resistance, this type of arrow tends to be lighter and more durable than other arrow types.
Compound archery often employs carbon fiber arrows, which are lightweight and durable. Plus, these arrows can be tuned to match the shooting preferences of their owner.
Most bows feature a limb pocket that securely holds the limb and is fastened to the riser. This pocket allows for fine adjustments of draw weight and release force with standard Allen keys.
The limb pocket also attaches to a limb bolt, which is an adjustable screw that adjusts the draw weight and release force of your bow. Make sure both limb bolts are adjusted by the same amount for accurate tuning; otherwise, your bow may go out of tune.
Accurate shooting requires checking the limb bolts regularly to make sure they are not worn out or stuck.
A ball-bearing bow will be able to shoot arrows farther and faster than a recurve bow due to its larger surface area that carries more energy, creating a bigger blast when fired.
A ball-bearing bow can also be more forgiving when it comes to correcting form mistakes. This is because they require less effort to maintain a stable draw and are therefore more tolerant of errors that archers typically make when shooting with recurve bows.
Cost
In the archery industry, bows are typically classified according to a price point. Insider language refers to bows as entry-level, mid-line, or high-end; however, there doesn’t appear to be a definitive line where one category ends and another begins.
A basic compound bow is an intricate design that can cost upwards of $300 to produce (plus or minus). This amount includes the cost of machining operations, labor expenses, materials, and finishes as well as patent royalties.
The initial component in any riser system is its riser. This component can either be cast magnesium or forged, with the former being more durable and capable of withstanding extreme wear better than its cast counterpart which could easily get damaged or cracked from an impact. Furthermore, forged risers require more intricate machine work which means more labor costs and consequently are usually more expensive to produce.
Next comes the cam system and overall bow profile. These elements combine to determine whether a bow will be successful. The more modern the profile, the easier it is for it to balance and compensate for torsional movement.
Particularly with parallel limb bows, which require a long stiff riser. Without one, many compound bows tend to have a “d-shaped” appearance which often turns off buyers.
Few bow manufacturers attempt to recreate classic riser designs, yet these stubby d-shaped risers just don’t look right to many adult bowhunters.
Similarly, bows with painted camo jobs or overly simplified cam systems tend not to sell well. Hunters perceive these bows as of low quality and won’t find them nearly as accurate or enjoyable to shoot.
Bow manufacturers facing these issues face a dilemma when trying to manage costs. Either they must stick with popular patterns like Mossy Oak or Realtree or pay costly licensing fees for the right to use them. This creates intense price competition in the retail space as companies with higher profit margins must charge more for their goods to cover patent royalty obligations.
