Arcade boxing machines are among the most popular strength-testing and entertainment devices in arcades. Players simply hit a suspended speed ball, and the screen displays a score. But have you ever wondered how this machine “reads” the force from your punch and calculates the score? Below, we will explain the working principle of the boxing machine in detail from the perspectives of structure, sensing principle, and scoring mechanism.
1. Speed Ball Structure: Internal Metal Rod + Round Hinge
The internal metal rod maintains stability.
The speed ball you see is not a simple soft ball.
It has an internal metal support rod whose functions are:
Maintaining the stability of the speed ball when hit
Controlling the swing direction, angle, and amplitude
Preventing the speed ball from “flying wildly” or deviating from its trajectory
The Round Hinge (similar to a shoulder joint) allows the ball to swing smoothly
This metal rod is connected to a spherical hinge, similar in principle to your shoulder joint.
With this hinge, the speed ball can make a smooth, fixed upward swing, generally a standard quarter-circle arc.
Top Pad Protects the Player
Above the speedball, you’ll see a soft pad. This pad is used to:
Prevent hand injuries from excessive impact
Cushion the force of the speedball’s rebound
2. Impact Pad and Force Sensor: How the Score is Calculated
When the player hits the speedball, it is launched and impacts the impact pad on top of the machine.
The force sensor inside the pad detects the force.
A force sensor (usually a load cell or pressure sensor) is installed inside the impact pad.
Its function is to detect the peak force generated when the speedball impacts.
Note: Score ≠ Actual Hitting Force
The score displayed on the arcade boxing machine is not the actual force value in pounds (lb) or kilograms (kg), but a game rating value converted by a program.
That is, 1000 points does not represent 1000 pounds of force; it is just a number converted by an algorithm.
3. Scoring System: Different Difficulty = Different Score
Most arcade boxing machines allow you to adjust the scoring difficulty.
Lowest Difficulty: Even a light punch might score >1000 points.
Medium Difficulty (used in most arcades): Normal strength yields a good score.
Highest Difficulty: Even a very strong punch might only score 500-600 points.
Therefore, why do you sometimes get a low score even when you use all your strength?
—It’s likely not that your punch wasn’t strong enough, but rather that the machine’s difficulty was set too high.
4. Automatic Locking System: Ensuring Each Punch Returns to Position
After being hit, the speed ball needs to automatically reset before the next punch can be performed.
The boxing machine has an automatic locking latch on top:
When the speed ball is hit, it rises and strikes the pad.
The latch instantly grabs the bottom of the speed ball, holding it at its highest point.
After scoring, the latch automatically releases.
The speed ball returns to its original position, waiting for the next player.
This automatic grab-and-release mechanism is key to allowing the machine to be used quickly and continuously.
5. Electronic Screen: Displays Scores Calculated by the Algorithm
The electronic screen displays:
Player Score
Highest Score
Number of Rounds Hit
Difficulty Level
The screen displays the result calculated by the control panel based on sensor data, not pure physical force.
6. Summary: The Boxing Machine’s Operation
Player hits the speed ball
The speed ball swings upward along a fixed arc
It hits the top impact pad
The force sensor records the peak force
The control panel converts the force into a score based on the algorithm
The screen displays the result
A locking device resets the speed ball
Preparing for the next hit
FAQ
Q:How does the speed ball move?
A:The speed ball has a metal rod inside, connected to a hinge, so after you punch it, it swings upward along a fixed arc.
Q:How is force detected?
A:The speed ball hits the soft pad on top of the machine. Inside the pad is a force sensor specifically used to read the force.
Q:How is the score calculated?
The machine converts the force read by the sensor into a score, but this score is not the actual weight in kilograms or pounds; it’s just the game’s scoring system.
Q:How does the ball return to its original position?
A:There is an automatic latch on the top of the machine that catches the ball and releases it, returning the speed ball to its original position.
Q:What does the screen display?
A:The screen displays information such as score, record, and game difficulty.
Interested in Arcade Boxing Machines? Consider Working With Our Factory
If you’re interested in purchasing an arcade boxing machine—whether for an arcade center, bar, gym, or entertainment venue—our factory can be a reliable partner. We offer factory-direct pricing, customizable machine settings, durable materials, and 24/7 after-sales support. With years of experience producing arcade equipment for global clients, we can help you choose the right model and provide OEM/ODM options based on your business needs.
Feel free to contact us anytime for a free quote or more product details.
