Infrared spectrometer tests bowling pins

The organization has begun measuring and identifying the chemical structure of sample bowling-pin materials with a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, an optical instrument with a computer interface.

The three tested materials — the outer clear coat, pin coating, and base material — must maintain at least a 98% correlation to the original samples for the pin to be acceptable for USBC competition. In addition to bowling pins, the infrared technology could assist the USBC in testing bowling-ball cover stocks, lane surfaces, oils, and cleaners.

The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer tests tiny samples of bowling-pin materials.