---
title: Fiber Optic Gyroscope Winding
description: "Fraunhofer CSE Building Energy Systems: Using Smart /Communicating Thermostats to Scale Home Energy Assessments"
---

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# Fiber Optic Gyroscope Winding

## Custom automation for rapid, precise fiber optic coil winding for gyroscopes

###  ![CAPTION: © Fraunhofer USA ## Fiber Optic Gyroscope Coil Winding: A custom-designed automated machine for rapid fiber optic coil winding for strategic, navigation, and tactical grade gyroscopes.](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Fraunhofer_February2019%20Theme/Images/1461598805176_Automation-FiberOpticGyroscopeCoilWindingmodified.jpg?width=280&name=1461598805176_Automation-FiberOpticGyroscopeCoilWindingmodified.jpg) 

### An example for Fraunhofer USA CMI's expertise in automation

While fiber optic gyroscopes (FOGs) have several advantages over ring-laser gyroscopes, the difficulty of cost-effectively winding a high performance sensing coil has kept the cost of FOGs excessively high. In order to cost-reduce the manufacture of FOGs, Fraunhofer USA CMI developed a high-precision, computer controlled winder for the production of navigation and strategic-grade sensing coils. With over 15 coordinated servo-controlled axes, the winder is capable of cost-effectively winding, with minimal touch-labor, strategic grade coils for long-range navigation and space applications.

### A Custom Designed Machine

This machine was customized for a number of large defense contractors, including Honeywell Corporation, and builds upon a long-standing relationship between Fraunhofer USA CMI and the world's premier fiber-optic gyroscope manufacturers.

### Technical Summary

- Developed an automated, ultra-precision coil winder
- Cost reduced the production of fiber optic gyroscope-sensing coils
- Decreased winding time significantly while increasing quality and performance
- Included error detection and correction
- Achieved dynamic tension control within ±0.5 grams @ 60 RPM
- Achieved steady-state tension resolution of 0.05 grams
- Achieve winding speed of 30+ m/min 

 

### Related Links

- [Automated Imaging of Microtiter Plates](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/services/projects-our-work/custom-automation/automated-imaging-of-microtiter-plates.html?hsLang=en)
- [Continuous Wafer Production System](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/services/projects-our-work/custom-automation/continuous-wafer-production-system.html?hsLang=en)
- [Interference Lithography System](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/services/projects-our-work/custom-automation/interference-lithography-system.html?hsLang=en)

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