ÅngströmLap Lapping Film
ÅngströmLap Solutions Center
Polishing Processes and 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.
The ÅngströmLap Solutions Center provides polishing processes and lapping film expertise through content, best practices, weekly tips, FAQs, and dedicated polish and film experts.
Technical Content
Why isn’t there one standard polishing procedure?
How to Develop a Fiber Optic Polishing Process that Produces Consistent Results
Polishing FAQs: What to do (and what NOT to do) in your fiber optic cable assembly polishing process
Proper Care of Polishing Fixtures for Optical Fiber Polishing Machines
Polishers: Discussion on Expense and Top Technology
Polishers on the cable assembly line: the need to simplify
Do you want consistent polishing processes? Well let’s start with the polishing film
“How can I tell I have over-polished a connector?“ asked more often than you might think…
Do you want consistent polishing processes? Well let’s start with the polishing film
FOC Polishing Processes
Polishing Instructions for Domaille 4 and 5 Series
Polishing Instructions for Seikoh Giken SFP-550
TIPS: Polish & Film
When scratches appear after using the final film
Determining over polishing of the connector is difficult to gauge
Contamination within the ferrule bore is preventing the ferrule from sliding freely within the bore
Contamination within the ferrule bore wearing the bore, creating larger bore diameter
APC Polishing Advice to Improve Apex Offset and Angle Measurements
MT Ferrule Geometry Specifications: Minus-Side Coplanarity in IEC 61755-3-31:2015
Why Do Scratches Appear After Using the Final Film?
Why use AngstromLap lapping film over other manufacturers?
Does your Lapping Film supplier do all it can to protect the environment?
Sanding 3D Printed Objects: How to Get a Mirror-Polish Finish
Polished Connector Geometries, APC
Steps to Overcome Common APC Polishing Issues
APC Polishing Advice to Improve Apex Offset and Angle Measurements
MT Ferrule Geometry Specifications: Minus-Side Coplanarity in IEC 61755-3-31:2015
Film and Polishing Q&A
Q. What are the most important considerations for lapping film as we are establishing our process? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. For cleaning of polishing fixtures, is an ultrasonic bath or other solutions recommended? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. What kind of cleaning and maintenance is required for fiber optic polishing equipment? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. We are having issues with shrinkage and are focusing on the polish step. Looking for some steps, best practices, solutions, etc. CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. Primary indicator of over polished connectors? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. Contamination of fixture affecting precision? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. why Do Scratches Appear After Using the Final Film? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. Polishing machines for MTP/MPO? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. Over-polishing a connector? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. Problems with the polishing plates? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. Polishing MT ferrules? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. How long to polish a plate start to finish? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. How does FOC’s lapping film supplier produce this with protection to the environment? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. Do you have a lapping film that can remove a larger than normal epoxy bead more effectively than 15um Silicon Carbide? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
Q. Issues on MT polishing. I am getting “Y” radius less than 100? CLICK HERE FOR ANSWER
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.
ÅngströmLap Solutions Center
Polishing Processes and Lapping Film
Quick Lapping Film Links
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:
- suitable single mode fiber
- suitable epoxy
- proper mixing, application & curing of epoxy
- connector quality & tolerances
- pressure & time of polishing at each step
- lapping film quality & consistency
- lapping film grit sizes & materials
- polishing solutions
- calibration & quality of test instruments and reference cables
- test methods & conditions
- overall cleanliness
- specific cleaning procedures
FOC can supply detailed polishing instructions for most commercially available fiber optic polishing machines.
Please contact us for details:
Call:
(800) 473-4237
508-992-6464
Email:
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