ÅngströmLap Lapping Film
One of the most important decisions a cable assembly production, or process manager will make, is which lapping film to use. Without a consistent lapping film, production costs can not be controlled. Instead of quickly and efficiently fulfilling work orders, costly reworks will eat up both time and resources.
Lapping film that only lasts a few cycles before it needs to be thrown away can also lead to a much higher per termination cost than a film that lasts up to 10, 20 or 30 cycles. Our SEQUOIA Diamond films are designed to last well over 10 cycles. Achieving consistent results that meet the demanding technical specifications for single mode systems requires the optimization of many factors throughout the termination and testing process.
FOC Lapping Film Technical Resources
FOC Polishing Processes
Quick Lapping Film Links
FOC Fiber Optic and Cable Assembly Glossary
Introduction to Fiber Optic Cable Assembly Manufacturing Part 2: Key components of Fiber Optic Connectors and Key Specifications of Connectors
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Introduction Is your company entering the fiber optic cable assembly market? Here at Fiber Optic Center, we believe it’s important to introduce engineers and technicians to various aspects of the production process to manufacture high-performance, world-class fiber...Polishing FAQs: What to do (and what NOT to do) in your fiber optic cable assembly polishing process
As you probably know, the polishing process is an extremely important step in the manufacture of fiber optic cable assemblies. Your polishing process ensures your fiber optic connectors meet certain geometric parameters, industry specifications, and/or customer...Proper Care of Polishing Fixtures for Optical Fiber Polishing Machines
In fiber optic cable assembly, the polishing process is perhaps the most critical step to assure high-quality assemblies that meet specifications. That’s why it’s important to select the right optical fiber polishing machine – and polishing fixtures – that meet...Why isn’t there one standard polishing procedure?
This blog is authored by the FOC TEAM including: Marcel Buijs, EMEA Business Development, Technical Sales; Erwin Gelderblom, EMEA Business Development, Technical Sales; and Dan Rocheleau, Business Development, Technical Sales In a perfect world, there would be...Why use AngstromLap lapping film over other manufacturers?
This blog is authored by the FOC TEAM including Donna Brodie, Business Development, Films, Technical Sales; Dan Rocheleau, Business Development, Technical Sales; and Mario Goduco, Business Development, Technical Sales When fiber optic cable assembly process...Using Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) to polish MT ferrules and get repeatable, predictable results
I’ve been watching the development of Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) since the 1980s, when this polishing process was first used in the semiconductor industry. Of course, my interest in CMP became more personal when this process was introduced to the...Why do fiber optic connectors fail? Cross-sectioning offers a view inside connectors – and insight into why they fail
How many times have you asked yourself: Why did this connector fail? I’ve been in the fiber optic industry since the 1980’s and – despite amazing technological advances – this issue continues to plague our industry. Did you know there...What is the Ideal Fiber Height for a Fiber Optic Connector?
Turn the calendar way back to 1981 – the early days of fiber optics. I was working for a connector manufacturer, and one of my customers asked, “What is the Return Loss of your connector?” I didn’t know the answer!...Cross Sectioning of Fiber Optic Connectors: the three methods, advantages and disadvantages
Cross Sectioning of Fiber Optic Connectors questions answered here… how many methods and what are the options? There are currently three methods of looking inside a fiber optic connector: Non- Destructive X Ray Non- Destructive Sonar Destructive Cross...ÅngströmLap ®
The Most Widely Used Lapping Film
in the World
Fiber Optic Center, the global supplier of ÅngströmLap, is an industry leader in developing high performance, cost effective polishing processes for some of the largest assembly houses in the world. We have or can produce an ÅngströmLap single mode or multimode process which is tailor-made for any machine, connector style and ferrule material on the market today, including multi-fiber MTs and MT-RJs. If you are having trouble with your process, our in-house process engineers can offer assistance at any time over the phone or can make on-site visits when necessary.
One of the most important decisions a cable assembly production, or process manager will make, is which lapping film to use. Without a consistent lapping film, production costs can not be controlled. Instead of quickly and efficiently fulfilling work orders, costly reworks will eat up both time and resources. Lapping film that only lasts a few cycles before it needs to be thrown away can also lead to a much higher per termination cost than a film that lasts up to 10, 20 or 30 cycles. Our SEQUOIA Diamond films are designed to last well over 10 cycles.
Achieving consistent results that meet the demanding technical specifications for single mode systems requires the optimization of many factors throughout the termination and testing process.
These include:
FOC can supply detailed polishing instructions for most commercially available fiber optic polishing machines.
Please contact us for details.
ÅngströmLap ®
SEQUOIA™ Long Life Diamond Film
Diamond lapping films cut and polish the hard ceramic ferrules and the softer fibers close to the same rate, easily controlling fiber undercut or protrusion. Diamond also helps assure the ferrule geometries meet the Telcordia GR 326 version 3 specifications, and leave the ferrule in a condition ready for the final polish film. Diamond is always recommended for the intermediate steps of machine polishing of single mode or multimode ceramic connectors, and for single mode hand polishing of ceramic connectors. When stopping at a diamond of 1um or less, a good surface finish results with great geometries, but with a return loss of -35 dB at best. If back reflection of -55 dB or better is required, see our Final Polish Films.
SEQUOIA is the longlife diamond film which offers twice the working life of standard diamond films, therefore cutting your overall diamond lapping film consumables cost in half. During the manufacturing process, proprietary quality control steps are implemented, ranging from raw materials selection to final QC and testing. SEQUOIA is clearly at a level above all other diamond films available today.
Final Polish Film
When a return loss of -55dB or better is needed with a controlled amount of undercut or protrusion, a special final polish film is required. This film maintains the geometry of the ferrule and improves the return loss and surface quality.
The following final polish films use silicon dioxide material and will polish the ceramic ferrule and glass fiber near the same rate. These films require only distilled water, and do not need messy slurries to meet back-reflection of -55dB or better for UPC, and fiber heights compliant with IEC Telcordia specifications.
ÅngströmLap SEQUOIA FPF is the latest final polish film to come from the ÅngströmLap line of films. It was developed to reduce single mode assembly production consumables cost while maintaining the most stringent manufacturing processes in the industry; therefore, lot-to-lot product consistency is assured, enabling you to achieve uniform precision polishes, keeping yields at their maximum. SEQUOIA FPF outperforms the rest, at a price that’s lower than you would expect.
ÅngströmLap ®
Aluminum Oxide Film
When diamond film is not needed, like in many multimode applications, aluminum oxide is recommended. Some
aluminum oxides can even be used as the final polish. The 0.5um and 0.3um will produce return losses of -50 dB or
better, but because they cut the glass at a much quicker rate than the ceramic, undercut may occur. See Final Polish
Films for the best final polish film options and see Silicon Carbide Films for more aggressive epoxy and glass removal.
ÅngströmLap ®
Silicon Carbide Film
As a more aggressive material, Silicon Carbide is often recommended over Aluminum Oxide for epoxy and glass
removal, and is not commonly used for the later steps in the polishing process.
Donna has 25 years in the abrasive coating industry and is your FOC technical film manager. Follow Donna @FilmExpertsFOC
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