Apparatus for implanting optical fibers in fabric panels

An apparatus for implanting one or more optical fibers in a panel having a uniform planar surface comprising a frame means for supporting a fiber insertion means above a fiber insertion table above a means for adhering said optical fiber to said panel including a bath containing ultra-violet light activated liquid adhesive and a source of ultra-violet light, said panel being interposed between said fiber insertion means and said fiber insertion table, said fiber insertion means including a means for feeding optical fiber to an implant head means which carries said optical fiber downward to said fiber insertion table, said implant head means piercing said panel at a desired point of insertion and carrying said optical fiber to the underside of said panel through an opening in said insertion table for immersion into and removal from said liquid adhesive in said bath and subsequent irradiation by ultra-violet light from said source of ultra-violet light, exposure to said ultra-violet light causing a change of state of said adhesive from liquid to solid resulting in permanent adherence of said optical fiber to said panel at the point of insertion.