A simple plastic optical fiber force sensor

An inexpensive intensity modulated force sensor that used plastic optical fiber and a cantilever beam is demonstrated. The plastic optical fiber is bonded on the surface of metal beam made of spring-steel and subjected to force at the end of the cantilever. The performance of the sensor is evaluated during macro-bending of the beam for applied forces. The sensor is tested for both the upward and downward forces and negligible hysteresis is observed in the experimental results. The proposed sensor can replace stain gauges in structural bending applications.