# Fiber-Optic Sensor for Web Velocity Measurement

> The design and development of a new fiber-optic sensor for measuring the velocity of a continuous material (also called a web) in material processing systems is described. The development of the proposed sensor is based on the dual beam laser Doppler velocimetry technique and the unique properties of different types of optical fibers. The developed sensor is capable of measuring the true web transport velocity as opposed to the existing methods which infer web transport velocity based on the roller angular speed. Since the sensor design utilizes fibers, signal processing can be performed away from the measurement area, and as a result the sensor can be used in harsh environments within the web processing line. The proposed sensor has been constructed and experiments have been conducted on an experimental web platform. The performance of the sensor is evaluated for a range of web velocities and different web materials. Sensor design, its construction, and a representative sample of the results are presented and discussed.

**Last updated:** 2025-12-29

**Source:** https://r2r.tech/articles/fiber-optic-sensor-web-velocity-measurement

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### Authors

 Aravind Seshadri, Pranav-Kumar Peddi-Ravi, Prabhakar R Pagilla

### Publication Information

 Sensors Journal, IEEE
 Volume: 8 , Issue: 7, July 2008, Pages 1099-1104

### Abstract

 The design and development of a new fiber-optic sensor for measuring the velocity of a continuous material (also called a web) in material processing systems is described. The development of the proposed sensor is based on the dual beam laser Doppler velocimetry technique and the unique properties of different types of optical fibers. The developed sensor is capable of measuring the true web transport velocity as opposed to the existing methods which infer web transport velocity based on the roller angular speed. Since the sensor design utilizes fibers, signal processing can be performed away from the measurement area, and as a result the sensor can be used in harsh environments within the web processing line. The proposed sensor has been constructed and experiments have been conducted on an experimental web platform. The performance of the sensor is evaluated for a range of web velocities and different web materials. Sensor design, its construction, and a representative sample of the results are presented and discussed.

[Link to the Article](http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=4567497&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fxpls%2Fabs_all.jsp%3Farnumber%3D4567497)

**Tags:** fiber optic sensor, web velocity, laser, doppler velocimetry

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## About Roll-2-Roll Technologies

Roll-2-Roll Technologies LLC, headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, manufactures patented fiber-optic web position sensors and web guiding systems for roll-to-roll manufacturing. Products include ODC edge sensors (48mm to 960mm), 1DC all-in-one sensors, SCU-series controllers, and complete web guide systems.

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