About Robotic Vision and the OFDA
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When a single micron can change the grade and value of an entire bale, the instrument doing the measuring has to be right. Robotic Vision manufactures the OFDA range of fibre measurement instruments, trusted by wool growers, testing laboratories and textile researchers across the globe for accurate, reliable fibre analysis.
What is the OFDA?
OFDA stands for Optical-based Fibre Diameter Analyser. The OFDA is the established industry standard for fibre measurement, used globally for quality assurance in production and trading across wool, cashmere, hemp, alpaca, synthetic and cellulose fibre markets.
The first OFDA instrument, the OFDA100, was released in 1994. It has since been retired and replaced by the OFDA2000, which has undergone several upgrades and modernisations. The OFDA2000 is primarily used for checking diameter and curvature of clean fibre samples for quality assurance in production and trading. In the cashmere market, its primary application is measuring dehaired cashmere. For synthetic fibre applications, curvature measurement is a key capability.
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The OFDA4000 was added as a world-first instrument capable of simultaneous diameter and length measurement of slivers. It measures 4,000 fibres for length, with up to 80,000 diameter measurements taking place simultaneously. Both instruments are manufactured to IWTO-47 and IWTO-62 standards.
Industries and Applications
The OFDA range serves a diverse and growing number of fibre industries worldwide:
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Wool: diameter and curvature measurement for growers, classers, brokers, testing labs and textile researchers
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Cashmere: measurement of dehaired cashmere for quality control and trading
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Hemp: diameter measurement and distribution analysis of bast and processed fibre, supported by emerging peer-reviewed research
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Alpaca: fibre diameter profiling for breeders and processors
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Synthetics: curvature measurement for quality assurance in production
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Cellulose and viscose: diameter measurement for fibre characterisation
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Non-woven fibre: diameter analysis for manufacturing quality control
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Flax and linen: fibre diameter measurement for processing and grading
Hemp is currently one of the fastest-growing markets for OFDA application, with emerging peer-reviewed work supporting its use for bast and processed fibre analysis.
Robotic Vision
Robotic Vision was founded in 2023 after taking over ownership of the OFDA business from BSC Electronics. The OFDA instrument and technology has been the established industry standard for fibre measurement for over 30 years. Robotic Vision continues this legacy from its base in Ardross, Western Australia.
Thomas Hegerty, Director of Robotic Vision, worked for BSC Electronics for 10 years before taking ownership of the OFDA business. With a decade of hands-on experience maintaining, calibrating and supporting OFDA instruments globally, Tom is committed to continuing the standard of customer service and technical support that the OFDA brand is known for.
Why the OFDA is the Industry Benchmark
The OFDA instruments are trusted by wool growers, classers, testing laboratories and textile researchers worldwide. Key reasons professionals choose the OFDA:
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Established accuracy: the OFDA technology has been the fibre measurement standard for over 30 years
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Versatile application: a single platform that serves wool, cashmere, hemp, alpaca, synthetics, cellulose, non-woven and flax markets
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Standards compliance: manufactured to IWTO-47 and IWTO-62 standards
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Global support: Robotic Vision provides direct technical support and maintains a network of local agents
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Continuous development: the OFDA2000 and OFDA4000 are regularly updated to reflect current industry needs
Get in Touch
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To learn more about the OFDA range of fibre measurement instruments or to connect with your local agent, contact Robotic Vision directly.
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Email: info@ofda.com
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Phone: +61 8 9316 9499
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Address: 13 Willcock St, Ardross, WA 6153, Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
OFDA stands for Optical-based Fibre Diameter Analyser. The OFDA is a fibre measurement instrument that uses optical technology to measure the diameter, curvature and distribution of natural and synthetic fibres. The technology has been the established industry standard for over 30 years and is used globally for quality assurance in fibre production and trading.
The OFDA2000 is designed for measuring the diameter and curvature of clean fibre samples. It is the primary instrument used for quality assurance across wool, cashmere, hemp and other fibre markets. The OFDA4000 is a world-first instrument capable of simultaneous diameter and length measurement of slivers, measuring 4,000 fibres for length with up to 80,000 diameter measurements at the same time.
The OFDA range is used across a wide range of fibre industries including wool, cashmere, hemp, alpaca, synthetic fibres, cellulose and viscose, non-woven fibre, and flax and linen. Customers include wool growers, classers, brokers, testing laboratories, textile researchers and fibre processors worldwide.
The OFDA instruments are manufactured to IWTO-47 and IWTO-62 standards. These are internationally recognised testing standards maintained by the International Wool Textile Organisation for fibre diameter and length measurement.
Yes. The OFDA is used for diameter measurement and distribution analysis of hemp bast and processed fibre. Hemp is currently one of the fastest-growing markets for OFDA application, with emerging peer-reviewed work supporting its use in this sector.
The OFDA instruments are manufactured by Robotic Vision, based in Ardross, Western Australia. Robotic Vision took over the OFDA business from BSC Electronics in 2023. The OFDA technology has been in continuous production for over 30 years.
Contact Robotic Vision directly at info@ofda.com or call +61 8 9316 9499. Robotic Vision provides sales, calibration, servicing and technical support for the full OFDA range. Local agents are available in key markets worldwide.
The primary use of the OFDA2000 in the cashmere market is measuring dehaired cashmere. This provides accurate diameter data for quality control and trading of processed cashmere fibre.
Curvature measurement is the primary reason customers in the synthetic fibre market use the OFDA. Curvature data helps manufacturers assess fibre properties during production, supporting quality assurance and consistency in synthetic fibre output.
Robotic Vision is based at 13 Willcock St, Ardross, WA 6153, Australia. The company serves customers globally through direct support and a network of local agents. For enquiries, contact info@ofda.com or call +61 8 9316 9499.