Spools / Reels
Principle types
The spool is part of the scoring apparatus. There are two, one for each fencer; the left is connected to the red light of the box by a ground lead, the right to the green. Invented to tidy up the 20m or so of electric cable that each fencer s attached to in order that they may move and attack the whole length of the pisté unhindered. There are two principle types in use in the U.K. The Allstar-Uhlman, manufactured in Germany, and the Leon-Paul, made in the England.
Components
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Description
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Find out more
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Reference number
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Spool case (either side)
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(Reference C66CAS)
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Spool wire carrier half
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(Reference C66WC)
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Spool commutator
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(Reference C66CM)
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Spool nozzle
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(Reference C66NOZ)
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20m cable
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(Reference C74)
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Spool brush assembly complete
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(Reference C66CB)
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Spool spindle with dog
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(Reference C66SPL)
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Spool spindle knurled nut and washer
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(Reference C66NUK)
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(Reference C66NUH)
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Spool spring in case complete
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(Reference C66SPC)
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How a spool works
Click on the images below to open a pop-up flash video. If you do nout have flash instaled on you browser you can download it free here: http://www.macromedia.com. Although physically different, both types of spool work essentially in the same way. A 3-ply re-enforced electric cable is attached to a rotating drum at one end (see film 1); the other is plugged into the bodywire (see film 2) of a fencer. As the fencer advances up the pisté, the rotating drum puts tension onto a spring system (see film 3). Electrical continuity is maintained through 3 steel contacts (the collimator) that rotate inside of three static spring-loaded brass brushes (see film 4). These brushes are connected via the ground lead to the control box (see film 5). When the fencer retreats down the pisté, the tensioned springs rewind the slack cable back onto the drum. The whole ensemble is protected by two molded fiberglass cases.
These are covered in section m.55 and m.56 of the F.I.E. rules for competitions. Some important parts are: - M .55 1 The maximum electrical resistance of each wire in the spool, measured socket to socket must be 3 ohms M .55 2 "no interruption of electrical contact even when the spool is rotated at full speed" M .55 3 "the spool must allow 20m of cable to be unwound without straining the spring" M .56 "conductive pistés should be earthed through the center of the pisté
MAINTENANCE
- Safety
- Tools and Equipment
THE TENSION STORED IN REEL SPRINGS CAN CAUSE INJURIES WHEN RELEASED. ALSO THE SPRINGS ARE LUBRICATED AND MESSY. PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR SUITABLE EYE PROTECTION, CLOTHING AND GLOVES WHENEVER HANDLING OPEN SPOOL CANISTERS
Spools are subjected to extremely high levels of wear and tear at all levels, but more especially at competition levels. They therefore require a certain amount of regular maintenance to ensure continued, problem free operation. Each spool should be given a regular mechanical [these two linked to relavent sections]and electrical check-up twice a year, and especially before its use in a competition. A simple sticky label, or piece of tape, can be fixed to the apparatus and serve as a reminder of when it was last checked.
The Leon Paul spool is easily assembled and dissassembled by hand, and parts may be bought and replaced easily, but almost all repairs are simple and may save considerable time and money.However some repairs do requre certain tools of the sort most DIY'ers have on hand. Read the relavent repair section, then refer back to the tool list.
Tools
[MAY NEED CHANGING]gloves multi-meterold clothes bin linerphilips screwdriver cross-head screwdriverpliers craft knifewirestrippers gas blow torch3mm drill workbenchsoldering iron vice
solder and flux
**WARNING**
CARRYING OUT SPOOL REPAIRS IN THE LIVING ROOM MAY CAUSE MATRIMONIAL DISCONTENT
FAULT FINDING
- Overview
- Electrical
- Mechanical
REPAIR
- General
- Disassembly
- Repair Sections