Mutli strand vs single core fiber

[coweyman]

For the fiber optic cords on strobes. I have been seeing some are multi strand and others are a single thicker strand. Which is better or would one work and one not work

[Dave_Hicks]

Both work if we are talking about glass fiber. Multi-strand is better as it is more durable with a tighter bend radius. Less likely to break or fail.

[bvanant]

I am pretty sure that all of the multi-strand fiber is in fact PMMA (the Asahi 613 core certainly is). As Dave points out, the 613 core has a minimum bend radius of 1 mm or so while a 2 mm single fiber has a bend radius of like 25 mm or so.

Bill

[hellhole]

a while back... some single core ones... was not able to trigger some of the sea and sea strobes... 

i think all the fo are now multi core now... 

Edited November 20 by hellhole

[atus]

I had several issues with thin cables which I forgot once I started to use thicker POF cables. I buy them by meters in Aliexpress (3 mm core) and I print my own connectors in petg.

[Dave_Hicks]

 

2 hours ago, atus said:

I had several issues with thin cables which I forgot once I started to use thicker POF cables. I buy them by meters in Aliexpress (3 mm core) and I print my own connectors in petg.

I used to use the 3mm plastic core cables, but some strobe models like the older S&S units had inconsistent triggering with that material. They are also more fragile than the 613 multi-core fiber. It's cheaper, but not as good in my experience. With the multi-core available at about $7 USD per meter in the USA, it's really not expensive for what you are getting. 

 

I make my own 3d printed connectors as well, using PETG & TPU. I've shared my most current design for 2mm fiber connectors at the link below. I would love to see your connectors as well if you have made them available to share. I am always looking to learn from other's great ideas!

 

https://makerworld.com/en/models/846729

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Dave_Hicks