Fiber optics are the extended vision
of conventional sensors and, due to their miniature construction, can be installed
directly in the most difficult ambient conditions. As only light is conveyed, fiber
optics are intrinsically safe, which adds to their range of applications.
Plastic fiber optics are characterized primarily by the properties of the employed
raw material – the plastic. Advances in the manufacture of plastics permit bending
radii of just 1 mm for the optical fibers, which is completely impossible for glass
fibers. Fiber materials are now available which are extremely tolerant to bending
and thereby make their use in drag chains possible.
Due to their versatility,
optical fibers can be used in the most diverse applications. The small, space-saving
sensing heads are very suitable for use in very constricted conditions. It is also
possible to monitor whole areas or execute precise positioning by the different
arrangements of the fibers.
• Light weight and space-saving construction,
optical fibers can be integrated directly in pick & place tools
• Detection,
differentiation and positioning of the most diverse objects
• Monitoring of
whole areas with fiber optic arrays with linear fiber arrangement
• Use at
high, low or constantly fluctuating ambient temperatures
• Detection of
levels or leaks, including hazardous liquids
• Detection of transparent
media such as glass, wafers or films with focused fiber optic reflective types
