High-speed stamping presses in automotive component lines run at 150 strokes per minute, with metal blanks moving at 30 meters per second. The optical fiber sensors mounted on the press frame monitor each blank’s position and edge condition without physical contact. Light from the fiber bundle reflects off the metal surface, returning to the sensor head only when the blank is correctly aligned under the die. If a blank is skewed or missing, the sensor triggers the press to halt before the next stroke, preventing tool damage and scrap. The same fibers also detect micro-cracks or burrs on the blank’s edge by analyzing the reflected light’s intensity and pattern, ensuring only defect-free parts proceed to the next station. On transfer lines that produce engine mounts, the fibers are routed through tight bends around robotic grippers and welding fixtures, where their small diameter and flexibility allow them to fit into spaces too confined for conventional sensors. This keeps the line running without redesigning the surrounding tooling.