Fiber optic sensors and fiber optic cables
Always close to the action detecting tiny objects in cramped or inaccessible places
Product portfolio
Cylindrical fiber optics
- Versions with the threaded or smooth sensing head
- Radial and axial light emission
- Optional designs with focusing lens
- Glass fiber optics Series 18/30 and glass fiber optics Series 15
- Plastic fiber optic cables
Miniaturized fiber optics
- Sensing heads from Ø0.82 mm onward
- Radial and axial light emission
- Glass fiber optics Series 18/30 and glass fiber optics Series 15
- Plastic fiber optics
Plastic fiber optic sensors
- Reliable detection of fast processes thanks to a fast response time of < 0.05 ms
- Quick configuration by teach-in or potentiometer
- Variants with innovative OLED display
Square fiber optics
- Flat designs
- Arrays
- Glass fiber optics Series 18
- Plastic fiber optics
Specialized fiber optics
- Filling level detection
- Leakage monitoring
- Chemicals and oil-resistant variants
- Heat and cold-resistant variants
Glass fiber optic sensors
- Robust metal housing
- Sensitivity configurable by teach-in and potentiometer
- Long-range and high-sensitivity variants, also for fast-moving objects
Your benefits
For installation in very cramped places or difficult to access
Small and light sensing heads in a cylindrical and square design Small light spots of 0.1 mm
very robust, heat and chemical-resistant sensors
With PTFE sheath as protection against aggressive media Ambient temperature of -60 … +350 °C Robust plastic or metal sheath
Reliable detection in fast processes
Short response times of < 0.05 ms
Use in complex installations or drag chains
Bending radii of only 1 mm
Easy installation and setup
Quick configuration by teach-in or potentiometer
Large range up to 3.5 m
Reliable detection of transparent media
Applications
Thanks to their versatility, fiber optic sensors match most different application requirements. The small, space-saving sensing head is ideal for use in cramped spaces. Different fiber arrangements allow for both monitoring defined areas and precise spots in positioning. This generation of universal fiber optic sensors is particularly ideal in materials handling, where besides rapid process monitoring also accurate positioning or detection of small objects are everyday occurrences. One single sensor assumes the tasks where previously many different ones would have been used. The user can select between 3 to 8 different operating modes, from extremely short response time to high sensitivity, which allows him the perfect application-specific match. Though being an all-in-one approach, the sensors are also easy-to-operate. The specially coated sensing head is immune to chemical substances and oil to ensure reliable detection even under difficult conditions, e.g. filling levels or leaks in aggressive fluids. Glass fiber optic cables in a metal sheath (reinforced) enable use under harsh conditions with excessive pressure, tension, and temperature.
Pick & Place Tools
Detection, identification, and positioning of diverse objects
Area monitoring by means of array fiber optics in a linear arrangement
Detecting filling levels or leaks, also in aggressive fluids
Technology
Through-beam sensors detect whenever an object interrupts the light beam between transmitter and receiver whereas diffuse sensors acquire the amount of light reflected by an object. The high-resolution analog-to-digital conversion in fiber optic sensors captures even very minor changes. This is important when it comes to detecting very small objects or differentiating between very fine contrasts. In general, fiber optic cables are used in conjunction with the appropriate evaluation unit, and for object detection the type of fiber optic cable is decisive.
Plastic fiber optic cables
Plastic fiber optic cables are mainly characterized by the properties of the material used – plastic. With the present-day plastic materials getting more and more advanced, they meanwhile allow bending radii of only 1 mm which is virtually impossible for glass fiber optic cables. Meanwhile, some fiber materials endure dynamic bending forces and this way allows use in drag chains.
Glass fiber optic cables
Unlike plastic fiber optic cables, glass fiber cables comprise hundreds of individual fibers, each of them transmitting a share of the emitted light. Depending on the way the fibers are arranged, they either generate a light spot or a light line. Furthermore, glass is a high-quality, durable material to guarantee a long and reliable service life. Last but not least this is the reason why glass fiber optic cables are used in telecommunications. The high-temperature resistance also allows for use in demanding applications that are impossible to realize with standard sensors.
