Short answer: Stamped contacts should be quoted with wipe length, mating direction, whakapā force, edge radius, burr side, and plating wear evidence when the mating interface is functional. A sharp edge can scrape plating or plastic, while too much radius can reduce whakapā pressure or wipe action. The RFQ should connect geometry to resistance and cycling evidence.
whakapā wipe is the small sliding motion that helps a stamped whakapā clean or stabilize the mating interface. It can improve electrical behavior, but it can also create wear, plating debris, or unstable resistance if the edge, force, and mating surface are not controlled.
Use this page with the terminal and whakapā design guide, electrical whakapā resistance guide, terminal plating selection guide, and deburring and edge break guide.
whakapā wipe and edge decisions
| Decision | Why it matters | RFQ evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe length | Too little wipe may leave oxide; too much can wear plating. | Mating travel, whakapā path, and allowed wear mark. |
| Edge radius | Sharp edges can scrape; excessive radius can reduce whakapā behavior. | Radius target, edge break, burr side, and inspection method. |
| Mating surface | Tin, nickel, silver, gold, and bare metal wear differently. | Mating finish, hardness, roughness, and approved substitutes. |
| Electrical evidence | Geometry alone does not prove stable whakapā. | Resistance before and after cycling, force, and visual whakapā mark. |
Connect edge shape to the mating path
A whakapā drawing may show width, height, and material, but the mating edge is often what decides the field result. If the edge wipes across a pad, blade, shell, or chassis surface, define the direction of motion and which edge touches first. Burr side and edge radius should be controlled around that whakapā path.
A burr toward the mating surface can cut plating or create debris. A heavily rounded edge may lower local pressure and reduce useful wipe. The right edge condition depends on whakapā force, plating, mating finish, travel, current, and acceptable wear. This is why a simple maximum burr callout may not be enough for whakapā surfaces. For receiving checks, align the edge note with the incoming inspection checklist so inspectors know which edge is functional.
Arotake plating and cycling together
Plating choice and wipe behavior should be reviewed together. Tin can be cost effective but may need enough force and stable motion. Gold flash may support low-current signals but can wear quickly if the wipe path is long or the mating surface is rough. Nickel, silver, or selective plating may change both cost and test evidence.
For low-current or signal applications, resistance drift may matter more than visible wear. For grounding or power contacts, whakapā area and heat rise may matter. If vibration or small motion is part of the risk, pair this review with the fretting corrosion guide and define the resistance measurement points.
RFQ details to include
- Drawing with whakapā edge, mating direction, wipe length, working height, whakapā point, edge radius, and burr direction.
- Base material, thickness, temper, plating stack, underplate, selective plating zones, and approved mating finish.
- Mating part material, finish, roughness if known, insertion path, travel, cycling count, and whether lubricant or cleaning is used.
- Force range, resistance limit, wear mark standard, visual inspection method, sample quantity, and report format.
- Packaging and no-touch surface rules that protect the whakapā edge before assembly.
- Annual volume, prototype sample needs, current resistance or wear failure, and launch timing.
How to compare kaiwhakarato answers
A strong answer asks about the mating part and whakapā path before finalizing edge requirements. It should separate what the tā tool controls from what plating and assembly control. A weak answer only says burrs will be controlled.
Ask whether the kaiwhakarato can inspect the edge condition in a way that matches the drawing. For small contacts, optical inspection or sample photos may be more useful than a generic edge note. If resistance evidence is required, define the fixture and mating part used for the test.
Tukuna drawings, mating surface data, edge radius limits, plating requirements, force and resistance targets, and sample needs through the whakapā page. Use the RFQ form to ask for a whakapā-wear review before tooling and plating are locked.
FAQ
What is whakapā wipe in stamped contacts?
It is the sliding motion between the stamped whakapā and mating surface during insertion, compression, or assembly, often used to stabilize the electrical interface.
Why does edge radius matter on stamped contacts?
Edge radius affects plating wear, whakapā pressure, debris, plastic scraping, and resistance stability at the mating interface.
Is burr control enough for whakapā edges?
Not always. Functional whakapā edges may need a defined radius, burr side, visual standard, and resistance or cycling evidence.
What should be sent for a whakapā wipe RFQ?
Tukuna drawings, mating direction, wipe length, edge radius, burr side, force range, plating, mating finish, cycling condition, resistance limits, and samples.