Elevating Ropeway Systems with
Communication and Sensing Capabilities

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FIMT for Ropes / Ropeways

Integrating Fiber in Metal Tubes (FIMTs) into ropes and ropeways, such as those used in gondola lifts, represents a significant advancement in operational technology, enhancing both safety and efficiency. By incorporating FIMTs, these aerial lift systems gain crucial sensing and data transmission capabilities, enabling real-time monitoring of critical parameters like cable tension, temperature, and overall structural integrity.

This technology not only provides an additional layer of safety for passengers by ensuring timely maintenance and immediate detection of potential issues but also improves the operational management of the lift system. With FIMTs, operators can continuously monitor the health of the ropeway, optimize maintenance schedules based on actual conditions rather than predefined intervals, and significantly reduce downtime.

Moreover, the robustness of FIMTs ensures reliable performance in the challenging environmental conditions often encountered by gondola lifts, such as high wind and ice loads, temperature fluctuations, ligthning strikes, fires and precipitation, making them an ideal solution for enhancing the safety and efficiency of ropeway systems.

Core Functionalities

FIMT diameter from 1.1 to 7.0mm

Single mode, Multi mode or combination of both fibers

Various design options to add tube and polymer layers

Single lengths up to 50km without splice

Up to 192 fibers

Precise laser welding and excess fiber length (EFL)

Longitudinal water tightness

Full sensing capabilities for temperature, acoustics and strain

Products for Ropes / Ropeways

Our products for Ropes / Ropeways are manufactured to customer specifications.
Below are just a few examples to demonstrate our production capabilities.

Single layer FIMT

Fiber in Metal Tube, made from stainless steel or nickel alloy, for data transmission and sensing purposes. Fiber configuration and fiber count freely chooseable: SMF and/or MMF, 1 to 192 fibers. Gel filling for longitudinal water tightness.

Polymer insulated FIMT

Fiber in Metal Tube with additional polymer layer for better protection and integration into bigger cable assemblies. Outer diameter, fiber count and type, materials and single lengths freely chooseable.

Multi layer FIMT

Additional Resources

FIMT for Ropes and Ropeways Datasheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Integrating FIMTs into ropes and ropeways introduces advanced sensing and data transmission capabilities. This enables real-time monitoring of the system’s health, including tension, vibrations, temperature changes, and potential wear, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

FIMTs provide continuous, real-time data on the condition of the ropeway, allowing for immediate identification of any abnormalities or potential issues. This proactive approach to maintenance helps prevent accidents and ensures the safety of passengers by addressing problems before they escalate.

FIMTs are specifically designed to protect the optical fibers from extreme conditions, such as high winds, temperature variations, and moisture, which can be prevalent in ropeway environments. The metal tube encasing the fibers provides a durable barrier against physical damage and environmental stressors, ensuring that data transmission remains consistent and reliable. This is crucial for maintaining operational safety and efficiency, especially in critical monitoring and control applications.

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