Manufacturing

The 2010 FIFA World Cup match ball, the Jabulani, was put under global criticism because of its flawed design and practicality. Researchers from Yamagata and Takeshi Asai University and Adelaide University performed wind-tunnel and computer tests on the Jabulani and discovered that because the ball was “too perfect” or spherical that the time of contact with the foot was reduced, it had a tendency to slow suddenly in mid-flight  and that it was more unpredictable than its predecessors (Anonymous). Due to this design flaw, the later World Cup match balls were tested under great scrutiny.

There were only two factories in the world that manufactured the Brazuca – one in China and one in Pakistan. The first step of the manufacturing process is the distinctively colored panels. These panels are attached and placed on each ball, which has been heated and compressed in a spherical clamp to give it the correct regulation shape and size. The ball is made from six idental propeller shaped polyurethane panels glued to a rubber bladder and thermally bonded together. It weighs 437 grams and measures 69 cm in circumference. These balls are water-resistant and maintain their shape much better than the leather balls under all variables such as temperature, pressure, and humidity. The process of making the panels to the final packaging of the Brazuca only takes about 40 minutes. Forward Sports was able to produce up to 100 balls per hour. 90% of Forward Sports’ staff are women because corporate believed that women were more deligent and meticulous than the men. The women were glad that they were chosen to be a small part of the World Cup. Professional sewers sew the seams together. As tedious and scrutinizing this part was, the women also had to perform under a time crunch. The Jabulani’s seams were about .48 mm deep whereas the Brazuca’s were 1.56 mm deep. This allowed for a more predictable flight pattern. (Haq)

Sara Farid / Reuters