The spec sheet gets ignored until it causes a problem. In chip cans, that problem usually shows up at the approval sample stage—or after production—when a dimension is off or a material grade doesn't match the brief. This guide covers the technical numbers that matter most, with the context to understand why.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
After processing over 800 sampling requests in the past five years, the most common mistake we see is buyers specifying the wrong inner diameter. Shuttlecock tubes aren't one-size-fits-all. Here's what the measurements mean:
| Inner Diameter | Fits Shuttlecock Type | Wall Thickness | Typical Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40mm | Nylon/Synthetic (narrow base) | 1.5–2.0mm | Southeast Asia, India |
| 42mm | Feather shuttlecocks (standard) | 1.8–2.2mm | Global standard, BWF approved |
| 43mm | Feather (wider base, premium) | 2.0–2.5mm | Japan, Korea premium brands |
The 42mm tube accounts for roughly 68% of our production volume. If you're unsure which diameter your shuttlecocks require, request a physical sample from your shuttlecock supplier before placing a tube order—retrofitting is expensive and delays entire production batches.
Cap Force Specification
The cap insertion and extraction force is another spec that's often omitted from RFQs. Acceptable range: 15–25N insertion, 8–18N extraction force. Below 8N and the cap falls off in transit. Above 25N and retail staff can't open the tube without effort. Always request a push-pull force gauge test report with production samples.
Wall Construction Options
Paper tube walls are built in plies. More plies = thicker wall = better crush resistance. For shuttlecock tubes, the standard is 3–5 plies totaling 1.8–2.5mm wall thickness. Premium sports brands typically spec 5-ply tubes to withstand retail handling. The outer ply is usually 157g coated art paper for print quality; inner plies are recycled Kraft board at 200–250g/m².
Working on a Chip Cans Project?
Kuzo Packing handles OEM and ODM orders for brands worldwide. Samples in 12–15 days, production in 20–28 days.