Pickleballs are made using a specific manufacturing process that involves several steps. Here’s a general overview of the process:
- Creation of the Mold: First, a mold is created in the shape of a pickleball using metal or plastic.
- Injection Molding: Next, the material for the ball is melted and injected into the mold using an injection molding machine. The machine applies pressure and heat to create a seamless ball with a consistent thickness.
- Cooling and Trimming: After the ball is molded, it’s removed from the mold and allowed to cool. Once it’s cool, excess material is trimmed away and the ball is inspected for any defects.
- Drilling Holes: The ball is then placed on a drilling machine that creates uniform-sized holes in the ball’s surface. The number of holes may vary from one ball to another, but typically, a pickleball has 26 holes.
- Finishing: Finally, the ball is polished to create a smooth and shiny surface. This step helps to improve the ball’s performance on the court.
Once the pickleball is finished, it’s ready to be packaged and shipped to retailers or directly to customers.