Sensors & Transducers


Focused-beam sensing fibres for tiny targets

May 2004 Sensors & Transducers

Banner Engineering now offers focused beam sensing fibres that can detect minute targets. They allow users to 'pipe' light into otherwise inaccessible locations.

Unlike most diffuse mode sensing fibres that have a relatively wide beam divergence, these new fibres are constructed with special convergent lensing that focuses the beam to a very small spot. While conventional fibres are unable to concentrate enough light on the sensing target, resulting in unstable detection, the new focused beam fibres overcome this problem, allowing Banner fibre-optic sensors to achieve reliable and stable detection of small parts and product attributes.

Banner focused beam sensing fibres come in both fixed and adjustable sensing distance models. The L4C6 and L4C20 convergent lens attachments allow sensing at fixed focal distances of 6 mm and 20 mm respectively, when used with a Banner bifurcated coaxial fibre. Spot diameters as small as 0,25 mm can be achieved with the L4C6 lens, allowing sensing of very tiny targets. The PLI-A10 fibre assembly converges emitted light at a user-adjustable distance from the miniature sensing tip by simply rotating and locking the fibre in the lens. The spot diameter is adjustable from 0,5 mm to 3,2 mm. The focal distance of the PLI-A10 is 8 mm to 32 mm. For right angle sensing, the LZ3C8 attachment can be fitted to a Banner bifurcated coaxial fibre, giving the same adjustment range and spot sizes as the PLI-A10 by changing the insertion depth of the threaded fibre tip in the lens housing.

The new fibres can be used with a wide variety of Banner fibre-optic sensor amplifiers, including the Mini-beam, World-beam, D11, D12 and new D10 Expert model with an advanced 16-bit microprocessor, 12-bit A/D resolution and ability to solve the most difficult low-contrast sensing applications.

Banner says that it has the broadest, most readily available line of fibres in the world. Users can choose from a great selection of standard fibres in virtually all shapes and sizes, or custom fibres can easily be designed for unique applications. Two general styles include individual fibres that are used in pairs in the opposed sensing mode; and bifurcated fibres that emit and receive light signals in the same assembly. Banner glass fibres are also available to solve numerous challenging sensing requirements including the most hostile environments such as high temperatures up to 480°C, corrosive materials, extreme moisture, high levels of electrical noise, shock and vibration.



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