Tubular shank contacts are used on thin materials where staking a solid shank might cause distortion. They are also utilized for fragile plastic materials. Solid shank contacts are used on heavier, less fragile materials.

Since the solid shank contact can be produced at higher rates of production than tubular types, it is the more economical. In either case, the resulting assemblies will be of consistently high quality.

A rule of thumb for hole size in the carrier or arm for a given contact shank diameter is S.D. x 105%. Hence, for a contact shank of .078 diameter, the hole size would be .078 x 1.05 or .082 diameter.

The shank length of the tubular contact is obtained by adding the total thickness of the material(s) it must penetrate plus 55% of the shank diameter.

Example: Contact shank diameter is .078 and the spring arm to which it will be attached is .012 thick.

The shank length of the solid shank contact requires the addition of the material thickness plus 33% of the shank diameter.

Example: the contact shank diameter is the same .078 in. and the blade the same.012.

With proper tooling, both solid and tubular contacts can be riveted or staked as assemblies on riveting machines or bowl fed into stamping presses.

In all such contact setting operations, it is important to keep setting tools cleaned and polished in order not to mar the contact face or embed impurities that could lead to contact failure in the electrical device. It is also important that the contacts be firmly seated on the carrier to obtain optimum electrical and thermal conductivity.

Deringer is equipped to provide a riveted or staked contact assembly stamped to meet your print requirements.