Measurement Sensors for the Fiber Optic/Cable Industry

Precision measurements in the fiber optic cable industry ensure that final products can perform high-speed data transmissions and maintain reliable connectivity. The slightest imperfections in a cable’s core surface or a variation in its diameter, concentricity, or refractive index (the amount of light passing through) could severely impact the signal transmission quality.

Measurement sensors allow the fiber optic cable industry to maintain strict quality control, resulting in higher-quality products complemented by reduced manufacturing costs.

The fiber optic cable industry relies heavily on measurement sensors to inspect and maintain the various properties of its products within acceptable tolerances. This is particularly true when it comes to the diameter of the fiber optic cable core, which must stay within a tight tolerance to avoid signal degradation.

KEYENCE’s LS-9000 Series of thrubeam sensors and laser micrometers do just that. These sensors project a beam of light from an emitter onto an object, whose shadow is transmitted onto a photosensitive light receiver. The diameter of the core is derived from measuring the projected shadow.

Furthermore, the LK-G5000 Series is a highly accurate laser displacement sensor with a max sampling speed of 392kHz. This, paired with µm range accuracy, allows the sensor to detect small changes in fast-moving objects. It also makes it ideal for quality control of the fiber optic cable’s coating, which can affect signal quality when light escapes from the cable.

These, and many other sensors produced by KEYENCE, can be connected to data loggers and data storage systems for processing, storage, and further analysis. Such data plays well into predictive maintenance and other practices that lead to significantly reduced downtime and the associated financial loss.

Fiber optic cable systems consist of several different components. The core, cladding, and the coating are particularly checked for inconsistencies in their diameter, as flaws can affect the performance of the cable.

The uniformity of strengthening fibers, as well as the cable jacket, aren’t controlled as strictly and don't affect the performance of the cable as long as they are within tolerance. However, optimizing the production of all parts of the cable considerably reduces costs associated with production.

Integrating precision measurement sensors in the fiber optic cable industry can significantly optimize the production process and increase the overall quality of the end product. Of course, these sensors are easily integrated into pre-existing industrial automation, ensuring consistency and efficiency—not just in the actual output of the product but also in data collection, processing, and analysis.

If you want to learn more about the aforementioned products and how to implement and integrate them into your existing industrial automation, don’t hesitate to contact KEYENCE for advice.