Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: nagle@netcom.com (John Nagle)
Subject: Re: Fiber optics to determine bending?
Message-ID: <nagleCIMJtq.5CG@netcom.com>
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
References: <2fcu39$nu8@atlas.cs.upei.ca>
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 1993 04:15:25 GMT
Lines: 19

caiafgal@atlas.cs.upei.ca (Iain A. F. Galloway) writes:
>Does anyone know how fiber optics can be used to determine bending?
>I understand the VPL Data Glove used fiber in the fingers.
>Any other fantastic metods for this?
>I'm trying to find out more of "flexing" resistors too.

      Fiber optic transmission changes with bending.  Tight bends,
though, damage the fiber.

      VPL's initial version was even simpler; it used plastic tubes with
photodiodes at one end and LEDs at the other.

      The Mattel PowerGlove used a conductive plastic placed so that the
strips on each finger elongated as the finger bent, changing the
resistance.

      Strain gauges have also been tried.

						John Nagle
