13 Fiber Optic Sensor Manufacturers in 2022
This section provides overview, applications, and principles of fiber optic sensors. Also, please take a look at the list of 13 fiber optic sensor manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Fiber Optic Sensor?
A fiber optic sensor is a combination of a cable-like fiber unit section that irradiates light while passing it through and a fiber amplifier section that has a light source and light amplification function. The entire detection structure that enables detection of objects by light irradiation is generally called a fiber optic sensor.
Fiber optic sensors are used in a variety of environments, mainly because they excel in detection in confined spaces by taking advantage of the characteristics of the fiber unit, which consists of a flexible cable section and a small detection section, but also because they have excellent environmental performance, such as non-contact detection and non-current flow in the fiber unit.
Uses of Fiber Optic Sensors
The structure of the fiber optic sensor has the advantages of a compact sensor head, flexibility of the fiber cable, and resistance to electrical noise, as well as the ability to apply heat-resistant and chemical-resistant processing to the sensor head and fiber cable.
In terms of performance, the principle of detection by light interception and reflection enables detection of liquids, wood, glass, and other materials in addition to metals. This makes fiber optic sensors ideal in a wide variety of production sites, from non-contact general product detection to the detection and positioning of extremely small products in narrow spaces, and liquid level detection in storage tanks.
Principle of Fiber Optic Sensors
Fiber optic sensors are mainly composed of a cable-like fiber unit that passes light while simultaneously irradiating it, and a fiber amplifier that has a light source and optical amplification functions.
The fiber unit used in the fiber optic sensor has a double structure consisting of a core with a high refractive index and a cladding with a low refractive index that surrounds the core, which is made of quartz glass or plastic. The optical cable section is also called an optical fiber.
On the other hand, a fiber amplifier used in a fiber optic sensor mainly consists of an optical amplifier between a light emitter and receiver and a detection circuit. The most important optical amplifying medium is a doped rare earth fiber, which is used to amplify the incident light by induced emission of excitation light for detection. Depending on these features, some fiber amplifiers are equipped with sensitivity adjustment and the ability to set or change threshold values.
Fiber optic sensors with these features can be broadly classified into types with separate fiber units and fiber amplifiers and types with built-in fiber amplifiers, and their detection methods include transmission, reflection, retro-reflection, and limited reflection types, as well as various sensor head shapes to enable a wide range of detection.
List of 13 Fiber Optic Sensor Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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OMRON Industrial Automation
Fiber sensor
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Azbil
Fiber optic sensor
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Keyence
Fibre optic sensor
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Optex-FA
Fiber sensor
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ifm efector, inc.
Fibre optic sensor & amplifier
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Pepperl+Fuchs Inc.
Fiber optic sensor
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Fiber Optic Sensor Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of January 2023 in United States
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AutomationDirect | 17.8% |
| 2 | OMRON Industrial Automation | 15.6% |
| 3 | Keyence | 8.9% |
| 4 | Eickmann Elektronik | 6.7% |
| 5 | EGE | 6.7% |
| 6 | Azbil | 6.7% |
| 7 | Carlo Gavazzi Automation | 6.7% |
| 8 | Panasonic Industry Europe | 6.7% |
| 9 | Pepperl+Fuchs Inc. | 6.7% |
| 10 | ifm efector, inc. | 6.7% |
| 11 | Optex-FA | 4.4% |
| 12 | Datalogic | 4.4% |
| 13 | Schl?ter Automation und Sensorik | 2.2% |
Ranking as of January 2023 Globally
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AutomationDirect | 17.8% |
| 2 | OMRON Industrial Automation | 15.6% |
| 3 | Keyence | 8.9% |
| 4 | Eickmann Elektronik | 6.7% |
| 5 | EGE | 6.7% |
| 6 | Azbil | 6.7% |
| 7 | Carlo Gavazzi Automation | 6.7% |
| 8 | Panasonic Industry Europe | 6.7% |
| 9 | Pepperl+Fuchs Inc. | 6.7% |
| 10 | ifm efector, inc. | 6.7% |
| 11 | Optex-FA | 4.4% |
| 12 | Datalogic | 4.4% |
| 13 | Schl?ter Automation und Sensorik | 2.2% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the fiber optic sensor page as of January 2023. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Datalogic: 2,900
- Panasonic Industry Europe: 1,000
Newly Established Company
- Panasonic Industry Europe: 1988 (35 years ago)
- Datalogic: 1972 (51 years ago)
Company with a History
- Datalogic: 1972 (51 years ago)
- Panasonic Industry Europe: 1988 (35 years ago)
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