Flexible optical fibre takes sensor around any bend

Citation

(1999), "Flexible optical fibre takes sensor around any bend", Sensor Review, Vol. 19 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1999.08719bad.008

Flexible optical fibre takes sensor around any bend

Flexible optical fibre takes sensor around any bend

Keywords Fibre optic, Sensors

Omron has developed a highly flexible fibre unit, with a range of sensing heads, to provide easy installation in even the most cramped of application environments. The fibre is as flexible as an electric wire, and allows a bending angle of 90° in a 1mm bending radius with no reduction in light transmission (see Plate 7).

Plate 7 Omron's new highly flexible fibre unit with a range of sending heads, offering easy installation in even the most cramped conditions

The E32-R's flexibility lies in the construction of the fibre. Unlike conventional fibres, each of which uses a single core with a cladding material, the E32-R uses multiple independent cores surrounded by a cladding material to ensure there is no signal degradation. Around all this is a soft PVC cover to provide a highly flexible construction. The fibre can be freely cut to any length according to the mounting location and application.

Both through beam and reflective versions of the fibre units are available, in a range of sizes including M3 screw head types. Sensing distances are a maximum of 280mm for the through beam types (extendable to 2,100mm with a long distance lens unit), and 90mm for the reflective types.

For further information contact Iain Fitzsimons, Omron Electronics. Tel: +44 (0) 181 450 4646; Fax: +44 (0) 181 450 8087.