This project is another example of how we use our expertise in needle manufacturing and material handling for new technological applications. Our determination and willingness to take on new challenges has made us the primary supplier for this type of machines.

After less than a year for design, development, and manufacturing, the first series of our multi-head high-speed fiber optic implanting machines has gone into production in the 2nd half of 1998. The machines implant fiber optic wires of as small as .010" (0.25 mm) diameter into fabric.

The fabric is used for apparel, displays, etc. as well as for safety products. As safety product, it allows for easy recognition for police, military, and rescue personnel. ANI-Motion, Inc. in Bethlehem, PA owns the patents for the application process, Selbach Machinery L.L.C. for the machines.

Application:

This new technology results in dazzling displays at the surface of the fabric, using durable fiber optics, various LED light sources, and solid state programmable electronics. The process can be applied to denim, cotton, wool, nylon, mermot, tyvec, and many more materials. It can be used on clothing, outdoor signs, billboard displays, and backdrops. The possibilities are limitless.

Machine Design and Process:

Selbach Machinery L.L.C. has developed and built this type of machine. The company has U.S. and international patents for the machine design.

The customer's design (logo, animation, etc.) is converted into a machine sequence program. A piece of fabric (for example a back panel of a jacket) is positioned in the machine's fabric-clamping frame. Individual fiber optic wires are implanted into the fabric at pre-programmed points.

A hollow needle pokes a small hole into the fabric and the fiber optic wire is fed through it. A very small amount of adhesive is applied to the short end of each fiber, sticking out of the fabric outer side. The adhesive is cured in a split second. It forms a lens and bonds the fiber with the fabric. Thereafter, a certain length of fiber optic wire is dispensed (on the inside of the fabric) and cut to length. The trailing end of the fiber is positioned into one of several terminal blocks. This process is repeated for each individual fiber.

The area that can be used for implanting fibers into the fabric on standard machines is either 6" x 6" or 12" x 18" and can be customized.

The modular machine design allows for multiple stations, working simultaneously, to reduce the time per implant. At this time, the number of stations is from 1 to 8. A high speed machine for mass production is also available. We also build machines to customer specifications.

To reduce down time, all material carriers are mounted on a quick change table.

Partial view of manufacturing plant

Please contact us for details of our new high speed implanting machine. This machine is about 300 times faster than the first generation machines we built!

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