subject: Emerging Uses Of Fiber Optic Across Various Industrial Sectors [print this page] Fiber optic products are usually made of silica or high-clarity plastics. Optical fibers are used widely for transmitting light or communication signals. They are resistant to electromagnetic interference, making them a better alternative to metal wires. They are also popular in sensing devices, such as motion sensors. Optical fibers are very compact and can be easily bundled up to be carried from one place to another.
These products are used in diverse applications in the military, medical, industrial and commercial sector. A number of surgical instruments and endoscopy tools are integrated with optical fiber lighting for better viewing. These qualities also make it useful for quality assurance tools that need to be inserted into a machine, engine or any other apparatus.
An end user can expect several advantages through the use of fiber optic products. The most apparent advantages are their resistance to very high and very low temperature ranges, ability to withstand vibrations and ability to resist corrosion. They can be used in harsh industrial environments as well as for aesthetic purposes such as star ceiling panels.
Most manufacturers offer a range of feature-rich products in standard or custom varieties. However, if you do not wish to opt for fully customized products, modified standard products are a better alternative. Depending on your application, your manufacturer could suggest flexible or semi rigid optic fibers. In the recent past, a number of innovations have also been made in machine vision lighting that is used in inspection and testing applications.
Here are some uses and applications of fiber optic lights:
"Medical light guides: These are used expansively during an endoscopy or surgeries. It is imperative for these cables to be FDA approved. They are also compatible with flash sterilization, which is a common procedure for most surgical instruments. A leak tight construction is essential to ensure complete safety during the surgical procedure.
"Headlamp system: Doctors, construction workers, miners and search and rescue operation personnel depend on these optical fiber illumination systems. They create a bright, concentrated light that endows the user with ample illumination.
"Light lines: Scanning applications extensively make use of light lines for scanning purposes. Light lines can be manufactured in a variety of lengths. These can be coupled with a cylindrical lens that helps increase the intensity of the light by several times.
Machine vision lighting solutions make use of light lines.
While these are just a few examples of the uses of fiber optic products, it can be gauged that they are used for a number of operations that are too important to fail. It is possible to halogen and LED light sources in conjunction with a variety of optical fiber components for the most favorable results.
