HBM has recently launched its OptiMet system of fibre optic components that includes optical sensor gratings. The OptiMet system comprises mono-mode optical fibres with integrated functional gratings, fibres without gratings, interrogators that evaluate the signals from optical strain gauges (SG) and the recently developed X120 adhesive, which comes with a special mixing nozzle and applicator. The range provides users with all the components for optical SG applications.
HBM has developed its fibre-optic SG, based on Bragg grating technology, as an alternative to the standard electric SG that has been used for decades in mechanical stress analysis. Strain is measured with light in optical SG so that an electric signal is not needed. This gives an SG with higher insensitivity to electromagnetic interference, high voltage, potential differences and humidity. Applications in potentially explosive atmospheres are also possible.
Installation costs are reduced because the fibre acts both as a sensor and signal transmission medium. Up to 13 Bragg gratings can be included as standard on a single fibre enabling parallel measurements to be taken.
Another advantage of fibre optic SG is the high alternating load stability, which is a particular advantage when taking measurements on different lightweight materials. In applications on highly stressed glass fibre materials for example, the maximum possible number of problem-free load cycles is at least 20 times higher than with standard SG.
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