Callaway Golf Company has signed an agreement with GE Additive’s AddWorks team to harness the potential of additive manufacturing.
The first project resulting from the agreement is a redesigned Odyssey R-Ball Prototype putter head.
The reworked Odyssey R-Ball Prototype putter was originally developed as a tour preferred model in Japan, but its design had an acoustic signature unique to that local market.
Callaway’s goal was to see how additive manufacturing could change the acoustic signature while retaining the preferred shape and performance.
GE Additive says for this putter head, the best way to optimise acoustics was to add geometry that made it difficult for conventional casting methods.
Callaway Golf Company
Callaway Odyssey R-Ball putter created in 17-4PH stainless steel on a Concept Laser M2.
GE Additive Addworks’ engineering consultants worked with Callaway’s design and engineering teams to apply additive manufacturing design practices and build upon the design.
AddWorks team designed supports for thermal stresses and overhang constraints and topology optimisation was used in conjunction with acoustical mapping to create the optimal design.
Brad Rice, Director - R&D, Advanced Engineering at Callaway, said: “Additive manufacturing is a new tool; which is quickly going beyond the aspirational phase, and into the functionalisation phase of the technology. Callaway needs to learn how to use this tool well, because it is inevitable that 3D-Printing of production parts is going to happen – it is the production method of the future.”
Chris Schuppe, General Manager, AddWorks, GE Additive, added: We have also used additive technology to create an acoustic map, which is certainly a first for us. We’re looking forward to driving more successful projects with Callaway, as they continue their additive journey.”