The Brussels Photonics Team (B-Phot) is a research group within the Faculty of Engineering of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). VUB-B-Phot is internationally recognized for its basic, strategic, and applied research in the field of "micro-optics" and "micro-photonics".

For many years extensive investigation has gone into the contact force between pantograph and catenary in railway engineering. Conventional electrical load cells and strain gauges have been used in the past, which presents a variety of electrical insulation issues when working with high voltage parts. This study evaluates the use of a fiber optic based load cell sensor using draw tower gratings. Because FBG measurement technology is electrically inert, this removes the need to provide special insulation requirements.

HBM supplies the complete measurement chain, from class-leading sensors to software. Having built their reputation on measurement expertise and technological innovation, they now offer optical strain gauges built around our innovative FBGS Draw Tower Fiber..