Most designs epee points contain the same basic
elements shown in the model on the left.
These parts are:
- The Point Tip which moves within the barrel
- The point insulator or sleeve which is sometimes
built into the tip
- The barrel/base which screws onto the blade
- Two contacts within the barrel/base which are
seperated by a small gap and attached to the two
wires running down the blade. The two contacts
must be electricaly insulated from the barrel/base
and each other
- Grub screws which hold the point within the
barrel/base however, some screwless designs exist
- A spring to provide the required 750g resistance
- A small contact spring that completes the circuit
On the right is
a 3d animation of a working Leon Paul GT epee point.
This cut away model shows what happens within a
the tip is depressed. The circuit is normally open
between the two brass contacts inside the point
on the farthest right of the model. When the tip
depressesd it travels for a minimum of 1 mm before
the contact spring touches the two contacts and
completes the circuit. If the point is not in contact
with an earthed piste or the opponents weapon this
causes a coloured hit light to come on.
Each manufacturer has their own design
of tip which has its own relative strengths and
weaknesses. The points are often refered to as being
from a particularcountry (French, German) however,
this is not entirely accurate as some countries
produce more than one design of tip. Click on the
model on the left to see and expanded annoteted
view of a Leon Paul and a German tip.
The model below shows the different parts that
fit together to make an electric epee. Click on
the image for a larger annotated view.
