Electric Point for Fencing Épée

The electric point for épée is the high-precision electromechanical component located at the tip of the blade. Its primary function is to act as a normally open circuit switch: upon applying standard mechanical pressure against the opponent's body, the internal mechanism closes, allowing electric current to flow to the scoring apparatus to register a valid touch.

Description of Main Components

The point assembly is designed to withstand continuous impacts and is divided into three essential elements, in addition to its fastening and secondary contact systems:

• 1. The Barrel (Cylinder or Housing):

  This is a high-strength steel cylindrical piece that is threaded firmly onto the tip of the blade. It acts as the protective container for the entire mechanism. At its inner base, it houses an insulating plastic base with two bronze terminals, which are soldered to the two electrical wires running along the groove of the épée.

• 2. The Tip (Piston or Head):

  This is the moving piece that protrudes from the barrel and comes into direct contact with the opponent. Its outer surface is flat and knurled (grooved) to ensure grip on the opponent's jacket and prevent slipping. At its internal base, it has a tiny contact spring attached, which is physically responsible for connecting the terminals at the base.

• 3. The Main Spring (Pressure Spring):

  This is a calibrated steel spring housed inside the barrel, just below the tip. It serves a dual purpose: it provides the mechanical resistance necessary to prevent accidental touches and returns the tip to its original resting position immediately after pressure is released.

🔩 Retention component: The tip is held onto the barrel by two tiny tip screws installed on the sides, which limit the piston's travel and prevent it from being ejected by the force of the spring.

Operating Principle and Circuits

Unlike the foil, the épée does not require touching a special conductive area (the metallic vest), as the entire body is valid. Therefore, the system works as follows:

1. Resting Position: The main spring keeps the tip up. The circuit remains open (there is no current flow).

2. Contact Position: Upon making a thrust, the tip is depressed. The small contact spring descends until it simultaneously touches the two bronze terminals at the bottom of the barrel. The circuit closes and the light on the electronic scoreboard immediately turns on.

FIE (International Fencing Federation) Technical Regulations

To ensure fairness and avoid false registrations due to simple blade whip or vibration, the épée point must strictly comply with two tests during weapon control:

• Weight Test (750 grams): The main spring must be able to lift an official 750 g weight placed vertically without the scoreboard light turning on. The touch is only valid if the force of the thrust exceeds this weight.

• Distance Test (Gauges): The total travel of the tip must be greater than 1.5 mm, and the safety margin before making contact (insulation travel) must be greater than 0.5 mm.

  Electric Point for Fencing Foil

  The electric point for foil is the precision device located at the tip of the blade that registers impacts. Unlike the épée, the foil operates under the principle of a normally closed circuit. This means that current flows continuously through the weapon; upon pressing the point, the circuit is interrupted (it opens) to notify the central apparatus that an impact has occurred, which will only register as a point if the tip touches the opponent's conductive vest (lamé).

  Description of Main Components

  The foil point mechanism consists of the following key elements:

  • 1. The Barrel (Housing):

    A high-strength metal cylinder that is threaded onto the tip of the blade. At its inner base, it features an insulating plastic cup and a single central metal contact connected to the single electrical wire that runs along the foil's groove.

  • 2. The Tip (Piston):

    The top moving piece that receives the impact. Its head is flat and textured to prevent slipping. It features a conductive neck or metal base that, in the resting position, makes direct contact with the barrel walls to keep the circuit closed.

  • 3. The Spring (Pressure Spring):

    A calibrated steel spring housed inside the barrel. It keeps the tip pushed outward and provides the mechanical resistance necessary so that not just any graze activates the scoring apparatus.

  🔩 Fastening components: As with the épée, two tiny tip screws are threaded into the sides of the barrel to act as a stop, regulating the tip's travel and preventing it from flying out.

  Operating Principle and Electrical Logic

  The logic of the foil requires discriminating whether the hit was in a valid area (the torso covered by the metallic vest) or an invalid area (arms, legs, non-conductive mask). It works as follows:

  1. Resting Position (Closed Circuit): Current travels from the apparatus through the blade's internal wire, reaches the bottom of the barrel, goes up the tip, and returns to the apparatus through the blade's own steel (ground). Since the circuit is closed, the scoreboard knows there is no touch.

  2. Moment of Impact (Circuit Opening): Upon pressing the tip against the opponent, it depresses and separates from the barrel walls. The circuit breaks.

  3. Area Discrimination:

     • Invalid Area: If the point touches normal clothing, the circuit simply opens. The apparatus detects the interruption and turns on a white light (invalid touch).

     • Valid Area: If the point touches the opponent's conductive jacket, the current flowing through the blade wire is diverted through the tip to the opponent's jacket. The apparatus detects this alternative path and turns on the colored light (red or green, valid touch).

  FIE (International Fencing Federation) Technical Regulations

  The foil requires less physical force than the épée to register a point, but its measurements are equally strict in weapon control:

  • Weight Test (500 grams): The main spring must be able to lift an official 500 g weight without the circuit opening (that is, without any light turning on). The thrust must exceed this force to be registered.

  • Distance Test (Gauges): The foil tip must have a safety travel distance before opening the circuit. A 1.0 mm gauge is used to verify that the tip has the regulated travel and is not overly sensitive to vibrations.