Installing Plastic Fibers on a MINI-BEAM

Follow these instructions to install plastic fibers into your sensor. MINI-BEAMS may have either a fiber gripper or a clamp screw.

MINI-BEAM and ECONO-BEAM sensors for use with plastic fiber optic assemblies include sensors with the letters FP in their model

number.

Figure 1. MINI-BEAM with fiber grippers

Trimmed fiber

control ends

Plastic fiber

Emitter port

Plastic fiber

Receiver port

Gripper

Unlock

Lock

Adapters for

0.25- and 0.5-mm fibers

Sensor Face

Figure 2. MINI-BEAM with clamp screws

Slide Fibers & Bushings

into Ports

Fiber Bushings

(supplied with fiber)

MINI-BEAM "FP1" Sensor

Unterminated Plastic Fibers

Sensor Face

Tighten Clamp Screw

to Secure Fiber

0.25"

1. Prepare the sensor ends of the fibers (see Cut the Plastic Fiber on page 5).

2. Prepare the sensor for the fibers.

•

For models with a fiber gripper: Unlock the fiber gripper as shown in the figure and apply the appropriate fiber adaptors

to the fiber, if needed.

•

For models with a clamp screw: Loosen the clamp screw on the sensor face.

3. Insert the plastic fibers.

•

For models with a fiber gripper: Gently insert the prepared fiber ends into the ports as far as they will go.

•

For models with a clamp screw: Align the fiber ends flush with the ends of the bushings as shown. Hold the bushings to

the fibers and slide both into the sensor ports. Push the fiber an additional 1 inch through the bushing.

4. Lock in the fibers.

•

For models with a fiber gripper: Slide the fiber gripper back to lock, as shown in the figure.

•

For models with a clamp screw: Tighten the clamp screw to secure the fibers.

Cut the Plastic Fiber

An unterminated plastic fiber is designed to be cut by the customer to the length required for the application. To facilitate cutting, a

Banner model PFC-4 cutting device is supplied with this fiber.

1. Locate the non-terminated end, and determine the length of fiber required for the

application.

2. Lift the top of the cutter to open the cutting ports.

3. Insert the non-terminated end through one of the four large cutting ports on the

PFC-4 cutter so that the excess fiber protrudes from the back of the cutter.

4. Double-check the fiber length, and close the cutter until the fiber is cut.

5. Gently wipe the cut ends of the fiber with a clean, dry cloth to remove any

contamination.

Note: Do not use solvents or abrasives on any exposed optical

fiber. Do not use a cutting port more than once. The blade may tend

to dull after one cut.

Installing the Glass Fibers in MINI-BEAMs

O-ring

Retaining Clip

MINI-BEAM® DC Voltage Series Sensor

P/N 69943 Rev. G

www.bannerengineering.com - Tel: + 1 888 373 6767

5