From: tombiasi@optonline.net   
      
   On 4/8/2018 8:05 AM, kristoff wrote:   
   > Hi,   
   >   
   >   
   > I want to learn a more and experiment with optical fibre, especially for   
   > communication.   
   >   
   > Does somebody here have any experience with this (at a hobbyist level)?   
   > There seams to exist a kit called FO-30K, that just uses LEDs,   
   > optotransistors and plastic fibre. So it looks like this is a technology   
   > for hobbyies to play with.   
   >   
   >   
   > Concering fibre, I found something called "POF" (plastic optical fibre),   
   > which seams to be a lot easier to handle then glass fibre, and -hence- a   
   > good start.   
   > What would be a good thickness of fibre to start with? I found   
   > references starting from epef-1 (1 mm core, 2.2 mm in total) to epef-18   
   > (18 mm core).   
   > Anybody any idea on what is easy to handle?   
   >   
   >   
   > On the well-known Chinese webshops, I can buy cable in one batch of   
   > (say) 10 meter.   
   > Can you just cut the fibre at the length I need, or do you need special   
   > tools for that?   
   > (I know that glass-fibre must be cut in a certain angle to be well   
   > terminated. I have no idea if this also applies to plastic fibre.   
   >   
   >   
   > On the FO-30K kit, the holders on which to connect the ends fibre are   
   > just metal rings.   
   > Would it be possible to 3D print a connector for a transmittor and   
   > receiver for an plastic optical cable?   
   > Perhaps a two part housing: one that holds the LED/phototransistor and   
   > one for (the end of) the fibre?   
   >   
   >   
   >   
   > Any help or ideas would be appriciated.   
   >   
   >   
   > Cheerio! Kr. Bonne. (ON1ARF)   
   The kit will provide you with some useful experience but it's a little   
   "old school" The plastic cable has high loss but for educational   
   purposes it will serve fine. If you cut the cable it should be   
   perpendicular and will probably need to be polished.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)