How DHS table tennis balls are made

August 15, 2017

Balls are the main element in many sports, including table tennis. Without them, this sport would not exist. However, the unique characteristics and behavior of a table tennis ball sets it apart from other sports balls. In recent years, due to the transition from celluloid balls to plastic, the production process has evolved significantly. Let’s take a detailed look at the table tennis ball manufacturing process.

Shanghai. China. Ittf is visiting the world’s largest manufacturer of table tennis balls – Double Happyness and Mr. Yang Junwei, the factory director, is with us.

“Welcome to DHS. Today’s visit will give you a better understanding of the DHS ball manufacturing process. The life of a table tennis ball begins in this small hall located in the western part of the factory. At the beginning of the journey, we see only thin sheets of plastic, which by the end of the working day turn into something more definite. Our production starts here, for DHS 40+ balls we use CA as the adhesive. We also recently launched a new series of DHS D40+ balls, which are made from a different material with a different seam bonding technology. To familiarize yourself with the process, I will give you a short tour of the factory, where you will see the entire production process of DHS 40+ balls. Before shaping, all plastic sheets are weighed, measured and quality controlled to ensure that they meet the standards of both halves of the ball.

The first stage of production is shaping the halves of the ball. With the help of round copper heads, the leaves acquire the desired shape. Hot water supplied to them prevents cracks.

2. The resulting halves have a large edge, which is then cut off during the next fully automated step.

3. After trimming the edges, the halves of the ball are ready for gluing. It’s happening here. The individual halves find their match and enter the gluing machine. The adhesive substance is evenly distributed and after that the finished ball takes on its final shape. The balls are placed in these hanging bags and then transferred to the next hall where they are finished. How exactly the balls get their perfectly even shape is the secret of the factory.

“We store finished balls in a warehouse at a certain temperature and humidity. In the past, due to the instability of natural cotton, which is the main ingredient of celluloid, it was necessary to store balls here for up to 60 days, but now, thanks to new environmentally friendly materials, this process has been reduced to 15 days. As you may have noticed, I’m sweating in this storage room as the temperature here reaches 45-50 degrees Celsius.”

Once the balls are in storage, it’s time for quality control. Each ball is carefully controlled on an automatic assembly line. Among the balls that have passed the automatic control, we select balls for the competition and send them to the next control stage – manual control. To ensure the best quality, DHS always double checks the quality of the balls manually by our staff.

In 5 steps it will be determined whether our ball will receive a trademark.

The first step is to check the quality of the ball surface. To do this, we hold the ball along the seam and check the inner and outer surfaces under the lamp, paying attention to the two top points of the ball at the same time. This ball, for example, has an uneven seam and will be rejected. The next step is to check the ball for agility. One by one, they are sent to the table at a certain angle and for a certain length, and if the deviation of the ball from the center line exceeds 175 millimeters, the ball gets into a marriage.

Step 3 is hardness. A special device measures the hardness of the ball at various points. The ball along the seam line is placed parallel to the round base and its hardness is measured at the upper points. The balls are then categorized by hardness.

Fourth step – the balls are carefully weighed on accurate scales and must fall within the range of 2.68-2.76 grams in order to pass control.

The last step is roundness. After determining the size, the allowable deviation on the device can be within 2-2.4mm, and the size of the ball should be 40.00-40.40mm.

We caught up with Wayne Lee Chin, three-time world champion, one of the best players of the last decade and member of the ITTF Sports Commission, to get his take on how balls have changed in recent years.

» From my point of view, plastic balls have had a significant impact on the game of athletes. In my opinion, the new balls from the very beginning differed from the presidential celluloid balls in terms of stability and wear. And thanks to innovative technologies, development and research, the new material from which DHS produces modern high-quality balls provides the best game for athletes in world-class tournaments.”

In the meantime, at the factory, all QC balls are ready to be stamped with the DHS logo.

In two stages, a two-color logo is applied to the balls.

The balls are ready for packaging and shipping. The packing machine is fully automatic and can pack up to 1200 balls per minute. The whole production line can produce up to 600,000 balls per day, equal to an annual production of 200 million balls. Class 40 balls are now ready to ship worldwide.

Table tennis is an accessible sport with hundreds and millions of active players around the world, but as you’ve seen in today’s edition, table tennis ball production is no easy task.

New DHS tables at the 2017 World Championship in Dusseldorf

June 1, 2017

WTTC 2017 matches will be played on DHS tables

DHS is a leading manufacturer of table tennis equipment. The 2017 World Championship in Düsseldorf uses the company’s new table, the first black table.

DHS Commemorations (rubber)

March 7, 2017

	1960s – 1980s As Chinese classic rubbers, DHS C7, C8, PF4, PF4-1 etc., became T.T. lovers’ favorites.
	1960s – 1990s With unique beating ability, DHS “YUNHAI” sponge became the favorite sponge among Chines T.T. players.
	1998 G888 appeared in a form of rubber, put an end to the time that rubber and sponge had to be separated, being the first rubber for Chinese brands.
	2000 Hurricane2, Hurricane3, used by Wang Liqing and Liu Guozheng, featuring “highly sticky”, became the first choice of Chinese national teams, which started a legend for 40mm balls.
	2006 TG rubbers used by Wang Hao and Ma Long were born, featuring “tackiness”, and marked that the DHS had built a new important system in rubber field. The usage rate of DHS rubber for forehand in Chinese National T.T. reached 70%.
	2008 Neo Hurricane 2, Hurricane3, Neo TG2, TG3 was successful developed, another breakthrough in rubber industry. The usage rate of DHS rubber reached 83% in national T.T. teams and 70% in provincial teams.
	2010 The usage rate of DHS rubber for forehand in Chinese National T.T. reached 92%
	2011 Tinarc series featuring “tackiness” and “soft and rebound sponge” was available in the market, different from Hurricane in capability, offering more choices for forehand and backhand players.
	2014 DHS was developing supporting blades for new material T.T. balls to adapt to new styles in new era. DHS leaded in the market in its equipment development.

Product memorabilia (blade)

March 6, 2017

	1960s – 1980s 08.032 were the blades used by most athletes.
	2003 DHS developed Hurricane series blades for Chinese national T.T. teams, a return of DHS to Chinese national T.T. teams.
	2005 Wang Liging with hurricane racket won the champion of World Cup. DHS returned to top ranks.
	2006 With the development of Dipper Carbon and glass blades, Composite material blades played an essential role in DHS blades family.
	2007 Wang Hao with Hurricane Hao won the champion in World Cup, which meant the improvement in overall strength of DHS blades.
	2008 TG-T7 blades was widely used in Chinese national team and provincial team.
	2009 The successful development of Hurricane Wang 655, Hurricane Hao 656(used by Wang Ligin and Wang Hao respectively), and TG 825, which were suitable for “VOC free” era, greatly increased the usage rate of DHS blade by 40% in Chinese national T.T. team.
	2013г To adapt to new styles in new era, DHS was developing supporting blades for new material T.T. balls. DHS leaded in the market in its equipment development.
	2014г In Chinese National Team, 36,67% use DHS blades.
	2015г Ma Long using DHS weapons(Hurricane Long 5 + Hurricane 3) won the champion of the 53rd World T.T. Championships.

Brand History

March 1, 2017

Year	Event	Influense
1927	China’ s first T.T. ball appeared in Shanghai.	China was capable of manufacturing T.T. ball independently.
1937	“Double Circle” T.T. ball for competition was development in Shanghai.	China had the ability of producing the T.T. balls for competition.
1959	DHS T.T. equipment was born in Shanghai.	A full set of T.T. equipments, meeting international standard, were produced in Shanghai for the purpose that Chinese equipment could be used in 26th World Table Tennis Championships. DHS was named by Premier Zhou Enlai for the celebration of 10th National Day and Chinese 1 st world champion title won by Rong Guotuan.
1960	DHS T.T. ball was officially approved by ITTF for international competitions.
1961	The DHS T.T. balls and tables debuted in 26th World Table Tennis Championships.	DHS became the first Chinese sports brand that debuted in the international stages.
1963	T.T. balls was ranked as Class A products, according to the technical testing report released by ITTF.
1972	Gaining highest total score in ITTF’ s technical test, DHS T.T. balls was approved by ITTF for eighteen consecutive times.
1979	DHS T.T. balls and rackets won the Golden Quality Awards, the highest quality honor in China.
1980	The hard T.T. balls were successfully produced.
1981	DHS PF4 series of products entered international market.
1986	DHS T.T. ball was approved for Asian Cup Table Tennis Championships.	DHS returned to Asian important events.
1989	DHS “Hercules” barbell was approved by IWF as Class A products.	It was the Chinese weightlifting equipment approved by IWF.
1990	Orange T.T. balls were produced.
1995	DHS T.T. balls became the official balls in the 43rd T.T. championships.	DHS returned to international games.
	DHS main plant was jointly established by 4 Shanghai sports equipment factories. The products covered T.T. equipment, weightlifting equipment, fencing equipment, basketballs, volleyballs, footballs etc.	DHS’ decentralized branding operation came to an end.
	The first advanced automatic T.T. table manufacture line in China was introduced from abroad.	The monthly output increased 300 to 10000 sets.
	The SHANGHAI DOUBLE HAPPINES CROWN CITY CO., LTD. was founded.
1996	DHS first 3-year strategic plan was announced. The plan specified brand strategy and established the principles of products development.
	Marketing department was founded.
	DHS, as an independent exhibitor, attended Munich ISPO exhibition pavilion. It was China’ s 1st brand that independently participated in world biggest sports exhibition.
	DHS began to research 40mm T.T. balls.
1997	The mini T.T. tables of “T616, T717, T818” were researched and developed, “DHS T.T. rooms” were in full swing in cities nationwide.	Table tennis came into Chinese family.
	The full set of DHS T.T. equipment, weightlifting equipment, and fencing equipment were designated as official equipment for 8th National Game.	It was a joint show after unified operation.
1998	DHS became the title sponsor of the first Chinese T.T. Club league and full set of DHS T.T. equipments were approved as designated ones.	This turned a new chapter in history of Chinese title sponsor for major sporting events.
	DHS was appointed as official equipment for 45th World Table Tennis Championships.
	G888 was researched, which meant the age that rubber and sponge has to be separated in China was end.
1999	ISO9001 quality system passed.
	DHS earned the title of “China Well-known Brand”.	It was first batch of “China Well-known Brand” in China.
	DHS won the title of “The outstanding contribution award of 40 anniversary of the Chinese T.T. world champion.
2000	DHS 40mm T.T. ball was first approved by ITTF. The technology was recognized by ITTF as international standard.
	DHS was appointed as the official equipment supplier for 27th Sydney Olympics.	DHS became the first equipment supplier for Olympic games, drawing a perfect full stop in the age of 38mm balls.
	DHS “rainbow” T.T. table was born.
	Hurricane 2, Hurricane 3, hit in the T.T. field, came out. Then Wang Ligin, Yan Sen, who equipped with Hurricane, won the title of the 21 Olympic Games men’s double champion.	The usage rate of hurricane series in China T.T. national team reached 58%.
	Full set of DHS T.T. equipment became the official equipment for 21st T.T. Men World Cup.	DHS 40mm T.T. balls debuted in international game which was the first one using 40mm balls.
2001	DHS became equipment supplier for Chinese sports delegation in 28th Olympic Games(2001-2004, T.T. equipment and football, basketball, and volleyball).
2002	DHS sports technology center was founded.	R&D has been becoming one of the driving forces for DHS.
2003	DHS became the supplier for 47th World T.T. Championship in Paris. RAINBOW table and new surrounds were shown in the match which was regarded as the most beautiful match ever.
	DHS invested in the badminton rackets production lines and centers of top level worldwide.	Badminton became one of the three staple products of DHS.
	DHS rebuilt weightlifting base. Dr. Ajan, Chairman of ITTF, visited DHS.
2004	DHS became the official supplier for 28th Olympic Games(Athens).	It was the second Olympic journey for DHS.
	DHS 101 shuttlecock, approved by BWF. DHS was awarded “Outstanding Contribution Award For The Olympic Games” by Chinese Badminton Association.
2005	DHS became the equipment supplier for 48th World Table Tennis Championship. Wang Ligin won the championship with “hurricane Wangligin” blade.
	DHS weightlifting barbell was again approved by IWF as Class A standard barbell.	Table tennis, badminton and weightlift had been three hit products for DHS.
	ITTF announced that DHS became the T.T. equipment supplier for 29th Beijing Olympic Games.	DHS was first approved supplier for Beijing Olympic Games.
	After the stock system reconstruction, DHS CO., LTD. was founded.
2006	DHS signed a 5-year packade agreement with ITTF about offering equipments to Olympic Games, World Table Tennis Championships, World Cups etc.
	DHS became the partner of Chinese Youth Badminton Team.
2007	IWF announced that DHS became the official weightlift supplier for 29th Beijing Olympic Games.
	DHS became the official equipment for world weightlift championships.
	DHS built a strategic partnership with LINing Sports.
2008	DHS offered table tennis, badminton and weightlifting equipment to Beijing Olympic Games, helping Chinese team get 14 medals out of 51 golden medals.	Three projects of DHS entered Olympic Games.
2009	Player who signed with DHS, including Wang Ligin, Wang Hao, Ma Ling, Ma Long secures top 4 positions in World T.T. Championships in Yokohama.	DHS Neo series offered a new solution in “VOC free” era, keeping the technological status of Chinese pingpong.
	DHS signed a 5 years paskage agreement with ITTF regarding offering equipment to 2012 London Olympic Games and 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games etc.
	DHS renewed the contact with Wang Ligin, Wang Hao, Ma Long, Xia Xuanze, and Ding Ning joined as a new member.
	DHS developed the electronic surrounds for Women World Cup.
2010	“SHARPING”, invented and developed independently by DHS, was released with a breakthround in appearance and craft.
	DHS “Golden rainbow” T.T. table debuted in Moscow World Championships.
	DHS earned the title “Shanghai Intellectual Property Rights Exemplary Enterprises”.
2011	DHS offered equipment for 51 Rotterdam World Table Tennis Championships.	From Beijing World Championships in 1961 to Rotterdam World Championships in 2011, DHS experienced glorious 50 years.
	DHS successfully developed T.T. balls made by new material. ITTF announced celluloid balls which have been used for hundred years would be replaced by new material balls.
2012	Hurricane 2 blade helped Ma Long win 51 games in a row. Hurricane Ning, Hurricane Xia, Goldarc 3 and etc. was available in the market.
	DHS offered table tennis and badminton equipment to London Olympic Games. Four DHS signed player representing China won the golden meddle. “5 rings-rainbow” table was stored permanently in the headquarter of IOC.	It was the fourth Olympic trip for DHS. The logo of 5 rings was approved as an assembly of equipment.
2013	DHS provided equipment to Paris World T.T. championships, releasing new color – “Paris purple”.	DHS came back to Paris, 10 years after the birth of Rainbow table.
	The automatic reconstruction was undergoing in DHS massive production and the construction project was launched.
	DHS 40+ ball officially hit the market.
2014	Along with DHS 40+ CELL-FREE T.T. Ball, Hurricane Long 5, Di-GT, Hurricane 8, Hurricane 3-50, TinArc 5 hit the market.
	DHS signed 2017-2020 packade agreement with ITTF about offering equipment to Olympic Games, including 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, World Table Tennis Championships, World Cups etc.
2015	DHS provide equipment for the 53^rd World T.T. Championships (Suzhou 2015), player who signed with DHS:Ma Long & Ding Ning won championships.
	Chen Jin, coacho of the Chinese National Badminton Team, signed with DHS.

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June 7, 2016

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