Kistler has launched the 2071A FSI strain sensor array, a fiber optic sensor for highly dynamic strain measurements. The company says the system pairs resolution down to 20 nε with sampling rates up to 410kHz, so fast transient strain events are captured in detail.
The 2071A uses Fiber Segment Interferometry, which detects phase shifts in reflected light within each sensor segment. Each sensor can be customized with up to 22 segments, and segment lengths range between 8 and 200mm. Dynamic range reaches 10,000 µε. Teresa Mueller, Business Development Manager at Kistler, says the system "combines detailed spatial strain data with high measurement speed."
The sensing section measures just 155 µm in diameter. That small footprint lets the sensor bond directly to the test structure without altering how the structure behaves, according to Kistler. For engineers instrumenting small or lightweight parts, that matters because a bulkier gauge can change the very response being measured.
The fiber is dielectric and intrinsically immune to electromagnetic interference, which Kistler positions for applications where conventional sensors struggle or where space and weight are tight. The sensor is rated for temperatures between –55°C and 300°C, so it can be used in harsh environments.
The measuring chain is completed by the 2549A FSI Interrogator, which handles data acquisition and runs the Kistler Cockpit software. The 2071A joins two other sensors in Kistler's FSI portfolio, the 2069A temperature sensor and the 2073A shape sensor. All three work with the same 2549A interrogator.
