Fibre Measurement & Testing Equipments
A single micron can move the price of a wool clip or the quality of a finished garment. Robotic Vision builds the OFDA fibre measurement instruments that wool growers, classers, and textile labs rely on to read that number quickly and accurately.
Explore the OFDA Fibre Measurement Range
Two purpose-built instruments cover the full span of fibre testing needs, from on-farm micron checks during shearing to high-throughput laboratory analysis of tops, slivers, and specialty fibres.
OFDA2000
On-farm and in-shed micron testing in under 30 seconds. The OFDA2000 measures fibre diameter, distribution, and curvature on greasy wool, giving growers and classers the objective data needed to sort, class, and sell with confidence. Available in benchtop and portable configurations to suit shed, broker, or lab environments.
OFDA4000
Laboratory-grade automated measurement of diameter, length, and curvature across a wide range of natural and synthetic fibres. Built for high-throughput testing of tops, slivers, and research samples, the OFDA4000 combines robotic handling with optical image analysis for the speed, accuracy, and repeatability commercial labs demand.
Trusted Across Wool and Textile Industries Worldwide
Robotic Vision's OFDA instruments are used by wool laboratories, testing authorities, commercial mills, research institutions, and breeders in more than 20 countries. With over 400 instruments deployed globally, the OFDA range is recognised under IWTO-47 for fibre diameter and IWTO-62 for length and diameter of tops and slivers, giving every result the weight of a recognised international standard.
Whether a clip is being tested on-farm during shearing or a top is moving through a certified lab, Robotic Vision delivers the same consistent accuracy that the industry has built its decisions on for over three decades.
What Sets Robotic Vision's OFDA Range Apart
A Thirty-Year Industry Standard
Robotic Vision has been building OFDA fibre measurement instruments for over 30 years, with a global install base of more than 400 units. The technology has been refined through decades of collaboration with wool growers, testing houses, and textile research bodies, giving the OFDA range a track record few instruments in the category can match.
Optical Imaging, No Lasers
OFDA instruments use optical image analysis rather than laser scanning. That approach delivers long-lasting calibrations, high reliability, and a measurement method that can capture diameter, distribution, and curvature in the same run, reducing the number of separate tests a lab needs to perform.
Global Service and Support
Robotic Vision backs every instrument with a worldwide network of agents and direct factory support. Each sale comes with training, calibration guidance, and ongoing technical assistance, so labs and growers continue to get the most from their investment long after installation.
Applications Across Fibre Types and Industries
Robotic Vision's OFDA fibre measurement instruments are used on:
• Greasy and clean wool for on-farm, broker, and laboratory testing
• Wool tops and slivers under IWTO-47 and IWTO-62 workflows
• Alpaca, cashmere, and mohair for grading, breeding, and trade
• Hemp, cotton, and other plant-based fibres for textile and composite applications
• Synthetic and recycled fibres in circular fashion and sustainable textile workflows
• Research samples across breeding programs, sustainability projects, and material science studies
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Supporting Your Fibre Testing Workflow
From initial quote through to calibration, training, and long-term service, Robotic Vision works alongside its customers across the full life of every instrument. New operators are supported with on-site or remote training, and labs are guided through IWTO, ISO/IEC 17025, and Interwoollabs calibration requirements so results stay reliable and defensible over time.
Paired with recognised methods such as IWTO-47 and IWTO-62, OFDA instruments help laboratories build quality systems that support certification, circular-fashion traceability, and credible sustainability claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
An optical fibre diameter analyser, or OFDA, uses image analysis to measure the diameter, distribution, and curvature of individual fibres. Unlike laser-based systems, the Robotic Vision OFDA range captures each fibre visually under a microscope and calculates precise measurements from the image. This method is recognised under IWTO-47 for wool diameter and IWTO-62 for length and diameter in tops and slivers, making it a trusted approach for both commercial testing and research applications.
The OFDA2000 is most widely used around the world for measuring fibre diameter and curve on clean samples, supporting quality control in production and trading. It is also designed to handle greasy wool, which makes it suitable for on-farm, in-shed, broker, and laboratory use. The OFDA4000 is built for high-throughput laboratory work on tops, slivers, and a wider range of fibre types.
If your focus is quality assurance for production and trading, or shearing-time classing decisions, the OFDA2000 is the right fit. If you are running a commercial lab or research operation, the OFDA4000 is purpose-built for that workload. Robotic Vision can help match the right instrument to your workflow.
OFDA instruments deliver laboratory-grade accuracy backed by IWTO-recognised methods. Calibrations are long-lasting, and results are validated against Interwoollabs IH Standards. Peer-reviewed comparisons against Laserscan and other reference methods show strong agreement, giving Robotic Vision customers confidence that their measurements are defensible in trade, certification, and research settings.
Yes. While the OFDA range was originally developed for wool, the optical image analysis method applies to a wide range of natural and synthetic fibres. Published research has demonstrated its use for alpaca, cashmere, mohair, hemp, cotton, and synthetic fibres. With appropriate sample preparation, the OFDA4000 in particular is well suited to textile, composite, and research applications beyond traditional wool testing.
OFDA instruments are recognised under IWTO-47 for mean fibre diameter and distribution, and IWTO-62 for length and diameter of tops and slivers. They support workflows aligned with Interwoollabs calibration protocols. This alignment makes OFDA results suitable for certification, commercial trade, and research documentation.
The OFDA2000 delivers a full diameter measurement in around 25 to 30 seconds per sample, measuring approximately 20,000 fibres per sample, making it practical for in-shed and on-farm use. The OFDA4000 is built for batch throughput, measuring 4,000 fibres for length with around 80,000 diameter measurements taking place simultaneously, all handled through automated robotic loading. That makes it ideal for commercial laboratories processing high volumes of tops and slivers through a daily testing schedule.
Yes. The OFDA2000 was designed specifically to deliver laboratory-grade results in a portable format. On-farm testing with the OFDA2000 supports sharper classing, more uniform lines, and stronger clip preparation decisions during shearing. Paired with EBV and ASBV data, it also supports breeding choices that move micron and variation in the right direction over time.
Yes. Both the OFDA2000 and OFDA4000 measure fibre curvature, commonly reported in degrees per millimetre, alongside diameter and distribution in the same run. Fibre curvature contributes to crimp, fabric handle, and processing behaviour, and the ability to capture it without a separate test is one of the reasons laboratories value Robotic Vision's OFDA range.
Every OFDA purchase is backed by direct factory support from Robotic Vision and a global agent network. New customers receive operator training covering sample preparation, calibration, and day-to-day workflows. Ongoing technical support, calibration guidance, and service are available throughout the life of each instrument to keep results accurate and documentation audit-ready.
To request pricing, a demonstration, or a technical consultation, contact Robotic Vision directly through the enquiry form on this website or reach out to your local agent. The team can walk you through the OFDA2000 and OFDA4000, match the right instrument to your workflow, and share sample reports, peer-reviewed validation data, and customer references on request.