Expert: - 5/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: I'm not sure how to figure out the lane conditioner ratio by looking at the pattern, settings, or graphs

ANSWER: Dan,
Patterns and graphs are visual. When you see a drop from the center of the pattern or graph it represents less oil volume. The more of a spike the more of a difference from one board to the next. Volume ratios come into play for sport conditions. Most centers don't create patterns utilizing ratios, because different lane surfaces handle different oils and volumes differently.

Sport conditions that require a 3:1 ratio may have 10 units of oil on the outermost boards, meaning a maximum of 30 units are applied elsewhere on the lane. The THS (Typical House Shot) has upwards of 60 to 100 units on the middle boards (the puddle) out to little (minimal of 3/4 units) or no oil (illegal) at the outermost boards.

Reading settings tell which boards have been chosen to contain single to multiple applications of conditioner. The longer the oil or heavier the application changes where a ball can gain friction.

Careful reading graphs. A graph with a large gradient looks flatter, while smaller conditioner representations reflect the huge difference from 80 units to 4.

Thanks for the question. Good luck and good bowling.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: how do you figure out how many units of oil you have on the lane by looking at the loads and distances traveled?  Basically, can you figure that out by looking at the settings?

Answer
Dan,
There is a mathematical formulae. You can't figure units from settings without the math. The settings detail the boards conditioned forward, backward, and at what speed the machine is moving.

Your asking about a little used detail, typically generated by the pattern designers. The gross milliliters tell as much as determining specific units and location of concentration.

Can I ask what are you looking to determine? Ask the center you bowl at. If they have sophisticated machinery to condition the lanes, they also have graphic representations of the the pattern, units, etc.

Thanks for the questions.