FBGs in 3D printed objects monitoring

In this work, the embedding of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in 3D printed patches is proposed with the multiple aims to demonstrate the capabilities of the FBGs to monitor the deformation state and the temperature of the sensorized devices and to show the possibility to use this approach in the realization of robust and efficient packages for fiber optical sensors. FBGs are embedded in the monitored structure, avoiding the complex wiring typical of strain gauges, and provide local strain measurements in real-time. The possible application of the patch as sensing device is investigated showing that the thickness of the substrate, influencing the neutral axis position, acts as gaining factor on the deformation sensitivity of the FBG, while the temperature sensitivity in more than ten time greater than the bare FGB one thanks to the high thermal expansion of the plastic material of which the patches are made. Such results enable the application the 3D-printed patches as packages for FBGs in the deformation and temperature monitoring.