The FBP-P5000 is a probe microscope designed with a USB 2.0 interface, enabling visual fiber inspection with a personal computer. The form factor is similar to other FBP series probes, and offers the same rugged construction and remarkable selection of tips. The camera hardware has been purpose built in conjunction with the FiberChek2(TM) software that drives the probe. This easy to use probe can quickly find and focus a fiber image. Once found, a single click of the Quick Capture button (on the probe) triggers a series of sub-second actions resulting in a complete analysis of the fiber end face and a pass/fail result. Upon triggering the Quick Capture button, the system uses the large-format digital sensor to search a wide area and find the glass fiber. Once found, it captures a full resolution image in a smaller area that is centered exactly on the fiber. The low magnification image is analyzed separately from the high magnification image to provide exacting examination on and near the glass fiber while still evaluating a wider area for larger debris and damage. These images are stitched together and compared to pass/fail criteria to provide a non-subjective grading of the image. All of this happens in less than a second. Automating the analysis and removing subjectivity is a critical issue in our industry.
