impact screen sewn onto king size memory foam topper

[Jon]

So, I know most people who use a tightly drawn impact screen have some kind of second layer behind the screen to absorb the impact. I was wondering if anyone has tried sewing an impact screen onto either a gel or memory foam king size mattress topper. I imagine it would increase the longevity of the impact screen and possibly reduce the trampolining effect that commonly occurs when an impact screen is tightly drawn.

[akoe19]

Sorry to hear, but good to know - especially considering the temp in my garage is below freezing right now. I was also thinking a heavy duty canvas drop cloth as a starter screen just to get a feel for it. Hardware stores sell them for $20-$30.

[wbond]

Make sure you back it with something, you will hit right through that drop cloth in no time.

[p3eps]

I hung mine behind the screen / net, and it works really well.
See post 11 on here:

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/build-your-own/enclosures/124803-fold-up-garage-simulator-uk

[akoe19]

Thanks for the tips wbond and p3eps

[Jon]

I overlaid my existing screen with a heavy duty drop cloth (10 oz) I figured there was no way that canvas as thick as that would take holes from ball impacts. I was wrong. About 100 shots into the 1st day I had it up, the heavy duty drop cloth took multiple tears. So, I took down the canvas drop cloth and sewed a patch onto the impact screen where it took a hole. On the plus side, the company that sold me the impact screen is sending me a new one at no cost. This time, I'm going to have 3 layers for my screen.
Layer 1 impacts screen
Layer 2 memory foam
Layer 3 plywood > pressing the foam against the screen- not allowing impact to stretch either the screen or foam layer

[wbond]

Since you already have a screen, maybe you can try the new screen, backed up by the old screen and backed up by a net. This combo works quite well for me. Ball just drops down.

[StanMI]

Is it possible that with the memory foam behind your screen, when the ball hits the impact screen and compresses it against the memory foam the extra pressure created by the back stop (even though it's absorbing the hit) is causing the hole in your screen ?

[DFDubb]

Out of curiosity, why are you trying to re-invent the wheel so to speak with regards to your impact screen? I've had a few different screens attached to EMT with bungees with no issues as have thousands of others. Some use a net and or moving blanket behind the screen. It's been very well established that excessive bounce back is directly correlated with screen tension. i understand that getting the perfect tension is time consuming and frustrating, but I think you're going about this the completely wrong way.

[Jon]

No doubt that I've stumbled a bit along the way but I'm certainly not trying to reinvent the wheel. I think their is probably a at least one factor that have gone unsaid in the discussion. That being quality of impact screen. I'm curious how much you guys have spent on your impact screens. The one that I bought was a little more than $100 for 8x9' poly impact screen. I know they are sold for much greater sums. Maybe that has something to do with the issues that I've had. Screen tension is most likely a factor as well. I wanted it to be tight enough to have the appearance of an lcd screen, yet have enough slack to avoid slingshotting the ball back at me. Perhaps, I was too fixated on appearance and not enough on maintaining the longevity of the screen. Like I've said before, when your'e doing a DIY project, failure is simply part of the process. However, I'm not so headstrong that I'm against following a proven template when one is available and endorsed by those with experience in the area. Fell free to drop a link to such a template.

[Jon]

DFDubb-
What does EMT stand for?

[StanMI]

Electrical Metallic Tubing (Conduent pipe)

[p3eps]

However, I'm not so headstrong that I'm against following a proven template when one is available and endorsed by those with experience in the area. Fell free to drop a link to such a template.

Please take a look again at the link I’ve posted above.
I’m not saying it’s a perfect ‘template’ or the correct way to do it - it it is what most people get to work, and what was recommended by Par2Pro.
The screen cost $799 and the back of net was about $350 from memory.
The idea is to have the screen right enough to stop it looking creased, but it should still have s lot of give if you were to push it with your hand. The net behind should be fairly tight, but still not quite like a trampoline.
My memory foam hangs about 1” behind my net.

I’ve got the new SQHQ screen on order from Par2Pro which is supposed to be quieter, more durable and reduce bounce back. I’m hoping with this that I can eliminate the memory foam completely - but time will tell.

[Bapten]

Hey guys, does the memory foam installed, help with noise reduction on screen impact? Need to lower sound from the hits. Wife requesting lower noise =) Thanks!

[vrpunk]

Personally, I would say no. The noise comes from the driver strike, hit of mat impact and the screen, true acoustics will be done using proper panelling.

[Bapten]

Thank you vrpunk !

[arronpercoco]

What thickness, (in inches), are you using for the memory foam. I built my first sim set up in the back yard using EMT to test. I loved it so much that i built a new one in a patio cover so that it is weather proof. I have low ceilings in house and garage so this was my only option. Not much has changed with the exception of a larger impact screen, moved from carls preferred 10 x 10 raw to carls preferred 10 x 15 finished edge. I am now noticing that i am have major bounce back issues. My tee is about 7' from the screen, same as before, and i hung the screen, then heavy duty moving blanket, then commando cloth blackout curtain and am still having sever bounce back. I can hit irons and catch the ball out of the air and wedges slam into the roof of the structure. I relieved the tension from the bottom and still no luck.

This memory foam trick seem to be promising unless anyone has any other advice?