Tips
Key specifications of connectors
The connector's specifications dictate the quality of its performance and long-term reliability. That’s why it’s imperative to purchase high-quality connectors. Lower-quality connectors with lax tolerances can lead to optical performance issues such as high Insertion...
Considerations Regarding Freezing Epoxy – Implementing Process Adjustment
There are a total of eight tips and considerations regarding freezing epoxy in FOC’s blog article, Ideas to adjust your epoxy process: Recommendations to reduce waste (and save money) in your fiber optic cable assembly process. Here is an important one to highlight:...
Considerations regarding freezing epoxy – THAWING
There are a total of eight tips and considerations regarding freezing epoxy in FOC’s blog article, Ideas to adjust your epoxy process: Recommendations to reduce waste (and save money) in your fiber optic cable assembly process. Here is an important one to highlight:...
Considerations Regarding Freezing Epoxy – Recommended Length of Time
There are a total of eight tips and considerations regarding freezing epoxy in FOC’s blog article, Ideas to adjust your epoxy process: Recommendations to reduce waste (and save money) in your fiber optic cable assembly process. Here is an important one to...
Techniques when using stripping tools
Damaging inner materials when stripping any layer of the cable, is a ticking time-bomb. A fiber which has been scratched on the outer diameter may indeed function perfectly well for some time. Stress points from which cracks in the glass can propagate over time,...
Considerations Regarding Freezing Epoxy – Implementing Process Controls
There are a total of eight tips and considerations regarding freezing epoxy in FOC’s blog article, Ideas to adjust your epoxy process: Recommendations to reduce waste (and save money) in your fiber optic cable assembly process. Here is an important one to highlight:...
Aramid yarns and Good stripping techniques
Aramid yarns. These strength members are also known by the trade name Kevlar®). They provide tensile strength to the finished cable assembly (they are crimped to the connector body, so that any pull stress applied to the cable after it is connectorized will be taken...
When the “back-side” connector end-face is contaminated, it is difficult to have access to remove the connector for cleaning
In nearly all installation situations----in a patch-bay on an equipment rack, in a termination junction box, on the faceplate of electronic equipment----access to one of the connectors of any mated pair is very limited. If this “back-side” connector end-face is...
Ways in Which the End-face Can Become Contaminated Along the Way
When a manufacturer inspects an end-face, it is immediately capped afterward with a plastic dust cap, and (theoretically) this dust cap is never removed again until immediately before it is plugged into its final installation location by the installer. In theory,...
End-face quality and cleanliness
Fiber end-face defects (scratches, pits, cracks) and particle contamination have a direct impact on the performance of the connector, which contributes to poor IL/RL. Any irregularity that impedes light transmission from one fiber to the other will negatively affect...
Re-cleaning a connector after installation
If you are an installer, or planning an installation, of fiber optic cable-assemblies----keep in mind the cost and pain that can be (and almost always IS) involved in re-cleaning a connector after installation. Avoiding system testing delays, degradation of system...
Ensuring Connector End-faces Meet Industry Standards on End-face Cleanliness (ex. IEC 61300-3-35)
When planning and purchasing cable assemblies for any installation, it’s recommended to verify from your supplier that they provide connector end-faces that meet or exceed industry standards on end-face cleanliness (for example, IEC 61300-3-35). If your supplier...
Controlling Apex and Angle on Conical Ferrules is Much More Difficult Than With Step Ferrules
Controlling Apex and Angle on conical ferrules is much more difficult than with step ferrules, namely because we need to control the “depth of cut” – the amount of ferrule material we remove during the polishing process. This means we must ensure the polishing films...
Preform Tip: Keeping the Preform Straight During Collapse
Companies like SG Controls offer stainless-steel, water-cooled burners with nitrogen curtains to reduce the hot zone width, which prevents preform sagging during collapse. Adjustable flow nitrogen jets on the outside edges of the burner blow against the tube to...
Hand-held Pyrometer Tip
You do not need to purchase an expensive blackbody unit. Instead, purchase a hand-held standard that is calibrated with a blackbody standard. In addition, you could temporarily mount the hand-held pyrometer on the fire carriage to spot-check the process pyrometer...
Reproducibility Tip
As we all know, the internal temperature of the deposition tube is what matters, since the reaction is occurring on the inside. However, the process pyrometer is reading the external temperature. SG Controls offers a diameter control system, which controls and...
Polishing FAQs and what we do not recommend
Polishing information and what we do not recommend Can you polish successful dry – with no lubricant? Some fiber optic cable assembly houses do, but I do not recommend this. Certain fiber optic applications require continuous flow of water: one or two drops a second....
Refractive index importance
Refractive index is a measure of how light propagates through a material. The higher the refractive index the slower the light travels, which causes a correspondingly increased change in the direction of the light within the material. What this means for lenses is...
Considerations Regarding Freezing Epoxy and The How To
There are a total of eight tips and considerations regarding freezing epoxy in FOC’s blog article, Ideas to adjust your epoxy process: Recommendations to reduce waste (and save money) in your fiber optic cable assembly process. Here is an important one to...
Scratches and final film
When scratches appear after using the final film, this typically relates back to earlier operational steps. It’s important to isolate and correct problematic issues throughout the assembly process. At Fiber Optic Center, we developed the ÅngströmLap Final Polish...
Glass transition is analogous to the melting point of a solid
The glass transition is analogous to the melting point of a solid (a phase change). The difference is that epoxies are not small, simple molecules, like water (think of ice), or atoms, like pure metals. Ice and metals are materials that have well defined melting...
Outer jacket and Good stripping techniques
Outer jacket. This flexible insulating material is also called a sheath, typically a soft plastic material. On single-fiber cables (as diagramed above), this jacket OD is usually 2-3mm in diameter, and can be stripped using common wire-strippers of the...
Automation in the assembly process
In order to go to that next level of factory automation for fiber optic connectivity, we need to think in terms of islands of flexible automation, much the same way manufacturers in the electronics industry have embraced flexible automation. Think about the...
MCVD Tip: Use a Hand-held Pyrometer Calibrated with a Blackbody Standard to Check Deposition Tube Temperature Accuracy
Deposition tube temperature is critical, which means your process pyrometer must be calibrated. To ensure accuracy, I use a handheld calibration standard that is independent of the process pyrometer. Look through the pyrometer viewfinder, moving through the hot zone...
Use the proper strip template when stripping for connectorization
Use the proper strip template when stripping for connectorization – All connector types are not designed exactly the same, and will have specific strip-length requirements for Aramid Yarn and Buffers. Most connector will have a “stripping template” available to...
Refractive index is a measure
Refractive index is a measure of how light propagates through a material. The higher the refractive index the slower the light travels, which causes a correspondingly increased change in the direction of the light within the material. What this means for lenses is...
The Four Major Components of the Fiber Optic Patch Cord
The four major components of the fiber optic patch cord: Jacket – The jacket is the external covering of the fiber optic cable. While it offers protection, its primary purpose is not to provide strength. Essentially, the jacket holds all components together: the...
IL @ 1550 higher than 1310
IL @ 1550 higher than 1310 A connector, or an entire product design, showing a significantly higher Insertion Loss at 1550 than at 1310 indicates the likely presence of a stress point on the fiber somewhere in the cable assembly—most likely a fiber bend that exceeds...
Diameter of the ferrule’s hole bore is larger than the outside diameter of the fiber
The ferrule hole bore must be slightly larger in diameter than the fiber to allow the fiber to be inserted into the hole. The smaller the ferrule hole diameter, the more precisely the fiber will be centered in the ferrule (thus, lower Insertion Loss can be expected)....
Construction of these specialty fibers
Fibers that have been designed to meet specific optical properties are used in a variety of applications such as Medical, Spectroscopy, Science, Mil/Aero, Industrial and Telecommunications. The construction of these specialty fibers varies in types and dimensions of...
Use the proper crimp tool tip
For each connector body, the connector manufacturer specifies the crimp tool, die set (hexagonal or round die), crimp sleeve, and crimp force to achieve the best crimp and maximum pull force for that assembly. It’s absolutely critical to use the proper tools and...
MCVD Tip: Keep the temperature low to prevent tube shrinkage
Keeping your deposition temperature as low as possible prevents tube shrinkage AND prevents water from moving toward the core, which will cause absorptions in the final fiber measurements. Adding dopants such as phosphorous and fluorine reduce the required deposition...
Connectors aligned and contacted optimally
The ideal (minimum-loss) fiber path would have NO connections. Instead, it would be one continuous, straight-through glass fiber from Point A to Point B – with no interruptions. Since fiber networks usually require connectors for modularity, path splits, etc., we need...
Mating a clean ferrule end-face to a contaminated ferrule end-face will result in contaminated end-faces
Mating a clean ferrule end-face to a contaminated ferrule end-face can only result in two contaminated end-faces, and a very good chance of permanently damaging / scarring the smooth glass end-face of both. Cleanliness, as we know, counts. Luckily we have a library...
Improving epoxy work surface
A favorite tip: Make a polyethylene work surface. PE can be cut using woodworking tools, and you can place it in any dedicated space to create an easy-to-clean work surface. PE is gleaming white in color, chemically resistant, and available in 1/8” or ¼” sheets. You...
Assess the Quality & Condition of Test Cables
When it comes to assessing the quality and condition of test cables, first ensure the test cable’s connectors are clean. Next, take a close look to ensure they are in good condition. Keep in mind that both connectors and coupling sleeves don’t last forever. They will...
1.64 Refractive Index Material with Extremely Low Birefringence
The 1.64 refractive index material is in stock at FOC with extremely low birefringence. Birefringence in polymers is predominately the result of the molding process. The OKP plastics are high purity, polyester polymers with refractive indices ranging from 1.61 to...
Guides and Resources for Epoxy and Adhesive Options
VISIT: The ÅngströmBond Solutions Center for epoxy expertise through: technical papers content best practices weekly tips FAQs dedicated adhesives expert, Kelly Barker Choosing the correct adhesive for an application is critical and ÅngströmBond® premium quality...
Freezing epoxy – extending the epoxy’s pot life and saving money
There are a total of eight tips and considerations regarding freezing epoxy in FOC’s blog article, Ideas to adjust your epoxy process: Recommendations to reduce waste (and save money) in your fiber optic cable assembly process. Here is an important one to highlight:...
MCVD Tip: Implement Automated Calibration Procedures for your Mass Flow Controllers
Calibration is critical. Let’s say you think your flow rate is 200 CC per minute, but you have not calibrated the mass flow controllers. You manufacture a large quantity of preforms, and one of your mass flow controllers fails. You buy and install a new controller and...
Tips to Investigate Core Cracking Issues and Identify the Cause
We characterize epoxy-related core cracking as a phenomenon because this problem can occur infrequently and irregularly. If you experience this, you can investigate the possible causes and solutions in this article. READ THE FULL BLOG ARTICLE HERE: Does epoxy cause...
Using the Wrong Hand Crimping Tool Can Damage Your Cable Assembly
If the wrong crimp tool or die set is used, the crimp will most likely be too hard or too light. A heavy-handed crimp can crush the connector. If this structure is damaged, the glass optical fiber could also be damaged. If the crimp is too light, the aramid yarns can...
The “golden rule” in stripping
Note the cable diameter and jacket thickness for each cable – Stripping cables and fibers is a delicate process. Carefully set your hand tool or machine tool to the right cable diameter and jacket thickness to prevent damaging the inner materials: aramid yarns, inner...
Troubleshooting Tips Specific to Angle and Apex Offset
Key Error, Angle, and Apex are all related. If you know any two of these geometric characteristics, you can mathematically calculate the third. For this reason, the Key Error causes above also can relate to Angle and Apex values. Additional potential causes of...
IL @ 1310 higher than 1550
IL @ 1310 higher than 1550 A connector, or an entire product design, showing a significantly higher Insertion Loss at 1310 than at 1550 indicates a likely problem in core-to-core alignment between the two mated ferrules. The difference may be small, and indeed may...
When Developing a Polishing Process, be sure to use only Brand-new Rubber Polishing Pads
When developing a polishing process, be sure to use only brand-new rubber polishing pads. Rubber pads play a critical role in polish results and are often overlooked. Having a consistent hardness (durometer) across the surface of the rubber pad is CRITICAL in getting...
Tips & Techniques for Using Stripping Tools on Fiber Optic Cable
“First, Do No Harm”: I want to emphasize the importance of not damaging inner materials when stripping any layer of the cable. This is most important when removing the Buffer materials directly protecting the optical fiber. If the blade of the strip tool contacts...
Considerations Regarding Freezing Epoxy – Remaining Material in the Syringe
There are a total of eight tips and considerations regarding freezing epoxy in FOC’s blog article, Ideas to adjust your epoxy process: Recommendations to reduce waste (and save money) in your fiber optic cable assembly process. Here is an important one to highlight:...
Fiber Optic Patch Cord Defined
The majority of our customers manufacture fiber optic cable assemblies, which are widely known as patch cords. Patch cords can be simplex or duplex. A simplex cable consists of a single strand of optic fiber. A duplex cable is composed of two insulated...
Fiber stripping and damage tips
Fiber Stripping: Damage to the fiber during stripping may not always cause the fiber to break immediately. It is very possible for a damaged fiber to remain unbroken during the production line processing. Unless the weakened fiber breaks during production...
MCVD Tip: Install a glass bubbler to observe chemical color and level
Over the years, I have found chemical visibility to be a real advantage. In a glass bubbler, you can confirm proper chemical level, confirm a uniform bubble stream, and view the chemical color(A color change may indicate delivery system corrosion). Glass bubblers...
Training your crimp operators
Again, each component requires as specific crimp tool, die, and sleeve. Do not mix-and-match components! In some production lines, we’ll see 10 or 15 die sets with various tools – the operator must know which tool to use for each connector. Here’s a tip: Make your...
Implementing a Cross-Sectioning Capability IN-HOUSE
When you implement a cross-sectioning capability IN-HOUSE, this enables you to conduct routine audits and rapid failure analysis. Implementing a cross-sectioning capability in-house, in your own testing environment We can help you set up the equipment, then train you...
IL @ 1310 and 1550 similar
IL @ 1310 and 1550 similar If made properly, the cable assembly will test about the same at either 1310 or 1550. 1550 Insertion Loss results are generally better by a few hundredths of a dB, due to, in part, its lower fiber attenuation. It’s normal that Insertion...
When the Hole in the Ferrule is Not Perfectly Centered
This physical characteristic of the ferrule will cause an alignment issue: if the ferrule hole is not perfectly centered, the fiber it holds will obviously never be perfectly centered. If you are using ferrules with poorly centered holes, consider purchasing ferrules...
Monitoring the End-face Geometries of Polished Ferrules
Monitoring the end-face geometries of polished ferrules is an excellent way to monitor the quality of your polishing fixture. Any significant deficiencies in the fixture will be reflected in end-face geometry parameters. For example, changes in Apex Offset can...
Glass Transition, Tg, is the Temperature That Determines so Much in Cured Epoxies
The glass transition, Tg, is the temperature at which cured epoxies go from being rigid and glassy to being rubbery and more flexible. Most of us think of cured epoxies as being pretty hard (Shore D) materials; and they are, due to the crosslinked nature of their...
Troubleshooting any Single mode Insertion Loss testing issue
One helpful tip for troubleshooting any Single mode Insertion Loss testing issue with your product is to remember the following: 1310nm is more sensitive to alignment problems 1550nm is more sensitive to fiber bending problems READ THE BLOG: Insertion...
Fiber height variation
When polishing an MT ferrule, it is virtually impossible to polish an array of fibers to EXACTLY the same heights. There will always be some deviation in height between fibers in the array. But, when the fibers and ferrule are mated and under load, they undergo a...
Visual Inspection Made Easy with an Automated Optical Fiberscope
Visual inspection is made easier with an automated fiberscope. This instrument images and processes each fiber based on a set of rules and criteria that meet IEC standards (or your custom test parameters). At its essence, the automated fiberscope is a digital...
The importance of controlling the amount of epoxy inside the ferrule-holder
Often overlooked is the importance of controlling the amount of epoxy which remains BEHIND the ferrule (inside the ferrule-holder). This is the area which holds the weakest part of the entire fiber length: the transition area where the protective coating has been...
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist for Common APC Polishing Issues
Whether you’re using step ferrules or conical ferrules, you may have problems achieving consistent results for the 4 basic geometric characteristics – Radius, Angle/Apex, and Key Error – that are relevant to the APC polishing process. The following paragraphs offer...
Contamination on the outside of the ferrule or inside the adapter sleeve
Epoxy on the technician’s finger transfers to the outside of the ferrule during in-process product handling. This accidental contamination may result in a fiber that is not centered perfectly within the adapter sleeve and, therefore, not aligned. Such process issues...
Crystallization in epoxies is common
Crystallization in epoxies is common, and it’s likely that you’ll discover a crystallized container. When you do, please don’t be alarmed. Simply follow the heat treatment procedures FOC has published. This is a fast and easy remedy. In fact, one of my customers...
MCVD Tip: Modify your system with a high-quality rotary seal
It takes a lot of work to generate gas streams that are uniform and reproducible, with no variation. But if your rotary seal leaks, this can introduce moisture and potential corrosion, and you may see a higher OH peak in measured fibers. Common rotary seal designs,...
IL/RL explained
Most likely, your testing specifications present minimum requirements for a Low IL and High RL. If your production facility is challenged with meeting the desired IL/RL specs, there are common causes you can investigate and address. However, before addressing common...
Apex Offset for APC connectors is really the combination of two factors
Apex Offset for APC connectors is really the combination of two factors: Polishing angle, and key error. When troubleshooting an APC process which is resulting in poor Apex Offset values, we must identify which component—Angle, Key Error, or both—is the main...
To locate “transition point” and ensure it is sufficiently encapsulated within the cured epoxy
Ideally, the “transition point” will ultimately be located either just touching, or just behind (less than 1mm), the rear of the ceramic ferrule. It is an excellent practice to periodically take samples from the production line and cross-section them to look inside a...
Available Supply of Specialty Connectors has a Positive Impact on Those Considering Using Non-standard Fiber Sizes
Fiber Optic Center, Inc. (FOC), has stock on the shelf of SMA connectors in over 40 holes sizes from 127 to 2645 um, in volumes of as little as 10 to over 20,000 pieces, depending on design and hole size. On any given day, these can include: 144, 150, 172, 201, 205,...
3D Printed Objects – Steps for Sanding Your 3D Printing Project
Steps for sanding your 3D printing project: How to use ÅngströmLap 3D Polishing Films: 1. Start with the largest grit to remove all pits, bumps, and scratches. Most polymers are easy to sand, so don’t overdo it. However, it is important to sand until you can’t...
Tips on epoxy curing (a favorite one~)
A favorite tip: Cure the epoxy by itself (not in your application) to ensure it meets the manufacturer’s specifications. This simple experiment may offer clues to determine how to tweak your process. For example, if the epoxy takes longer to cure, you can keep it in...
Why the Viavi MAP-200 is Recommended to Accurately Measure IL/RL
At Fiber Optic Center, we recommend the Viavi MAP-200 Passive Component Tester to measure IL/RL. Viavi (formerly JDSU) has been producing IL/RL meters for at least 20 years. In fact, they initially built this tester for their own internal use, because suitable...
Cross-Sectioning is an Effective Diagnostic Tool
Cross-sectioning is an effective diagnostic tool – a practical solution to identify process issues, which can lead to problem resolution. When fiber optic connectors fail, cross-sectioning can help to determine the cause and identify process issues. Fiber Optic...
MCVD Tip: Add options to optimize preform design, ensure reproducibility, and get high yields
During my MCVD years, I actively sought out various add-on control devices to improve our process and fiber quality. In fact, some features were specifically designed for my needs. Here’s a brief overview of recommended options. Read more: “MCVD options: These add-on...
MCVD Tip: Leak test the rotary seal to ensure it is leak tight
Before you set up the preform, I recommend leak testing the rotary seal. I do this by flowing oxygen through the rotary seal. Start by plugging the end of the rotary seal with a solid quartz tube. Next, lower the regulated O2 pressure to ~ 5 psi, slightly above what...
The goal of fusion splicing
The goal of fusion splicing is to join two optical fibers end-to-end so that light passing through the fibers is not scattered or reflected by the splice. The splice should be as strong as the intact fiber. Additional resources from the...
Step five of Single-Fiber PC Ferrules, Developing a Polishing Process
Single-fiber PC ferrules, developing a polishing process: Step 5. Conduct a visual inspection. Your customers will require some type of visual inspection. (Clearly, you cannot ship a connector with a shattered fiber.) After achieving desired geometry values, measure...
MCVD Tip: tube-cleaning process step
The tube-cleaning process is a critical part of preparation. I find that using the first cleaning step to remove metallic impurities works well. If you were to HF etch first, you may etch the glass around the metallic impurity, but not necessarily remove it. If you...
Notes from Fiber Optic Connector Cross Sectioning Example
From https://focenter.com/cross-sectioning-service/ Fiber Optic Connector Cross Sectioning and Analysis observations from “Connector C” notes. Observations: There is a substantial gap between the end of the stripped buffer area to the point of breakage (just inside...
Clean fiber connections
In addition to failures due to the light loss, there is the possibility of equipment failure and the nightmare of unexpected costs for troubleshooting, replacing and fixing damages. Fiber Installation Cleanliness Resources: Cisco had this information...
APC ferrules angled surfaces oriented in a specific location relative to the connector key
With APC ferrules, we have an angled surface that MUST be oriented in a specific location relative to the connector key (if not, then two angled connectors would never mate together when connected). Any rotational deviation from this angle-to-key orientation is known...
Return Loss(RL) is a Measure of Power Reflected
Return Loss is a measure of the relative power reflected back from a splice, connection, or defect in the fiber. In the early days, this was a big problem. Lasers could be destabilized by power coming back at them, and analog video would suffer ghosts. This is largely...
Developing a Polishing Process, Evaluate Visual Defects
When developing a polishing process, carefully evaluate other major visual defects: shattered fibers, core cracks, no visible fiber, etc. In many cases, the cause of the defect is not related to your polishing process but rather to cleaving, product handling, curing...
Minus Coplanarity, the distance between the lowest fiber and the “best-fit plane” through the array of fibers
Minus Coplanarity is simply the distance between the lowest fiber and the “best-fit plane” through the array of fibers (also called the “fiber line”). It is a measure of fiber height variation within an array of fibers. A lower number is better, with a value of “0”...
Passive component testers and wavelength
For the most part, corporate and government communication entities connecting data centers around the world – bringing fiber to the office (FTTO) and fiber to the home (FTTH) – have standardized measurement wavelengths. When researching passive component testers,...
Step Four of Single-fiber PC Ferrules, Developing a Polishing Process
Each step of How to Develop a Fiber Optic Polishing Process that Produces Consistent Results can be found in our article of the same name but here we highlight: Step 4. To adjust your process, start with a focus on Radius. The ability to achieve desirable, consistent...
Contamination Within the Ferrule Bore is Building Up, “Pushing” the Ferrule to One Side
Contamination within the ferrule bore is building up, “pushing” the ferrule to one side: the slurry generated from polishing can accumulate in the bore or other areas of the fixture, building up to prevent the ferrule from seating at precisely 90 degrees to the...
Conduct DSC testing to validate your curing schedule
Setting up a new bonding process and need to establish the curing schedule or your production process is set but experiencing fiber movement and need to adjust curing temperature or time, here is a FOC TIP to validate your curing schedule: Conduct DSC testing – We...
3D Printed Objects – Wet-sanding Offers More Luster
Wet-sanding offers more luster To achieve a smooth, glossy finish for 3D printed objects, wet-sanding offers a significant advantage. As an example, think about automotive paints and their mirror-smooth look. Wet-sanding is the key to achieving that luster....
When even stripped fiber, free of damage, during stripping and handling is susceptible to breaking …..
Even if the stripped fiber is kept free of damage during stripping and handling prior to inserting into the ferrule, it is still very susceptible to breaking if it is not completely encapsulated in epoxy within the ferrule. All termination operators are familiar...
MCVD Purchase Tip: Compare the 2 Types of Gas Delivery Systems
If you’re entering this market, you may be investigating the two types of systems available: stainless steel and Teflon/glass. Comparing the 2 systems is a fairly hefty subject, so here’s my quick tip: A good way to ensure high yields and reproducibility is to...
Measuring a PC ferrule’s Apex Offset
Because the longitudinal axis of a PC ferrule is perpendicular to the interferometer camera, the measured Apex Offset value remains constant regardless of the orientation of the ferrule in the equipment fixture. If you measure a PC ferrule’s Apex Offset, and then...
Helping to Ensure Accurate IL Measurements, Use Good Quality Test Jumpers
Only the loss of a connection can be measured – a mated pair of connectors. (It’s impossible to measure a single connector.) Therefore, to qualify the performance of a jumper, other cables must be used, and the quality of those cables will affect the measurement you...
Adjusting the concentration of the fluorinated polymer
Fluorine is the atom that gives the properties of low refractive index and low surface energy (the hydrophobic, non-stickiness of the surface). Fluorination is the thing that makes AL-2233 so much like Teflon. There are not many things that have much affinity for...
Fiber stripping and nicks
Fiber Stripping: Any nicks to the fiber during stripping create an EXTREMELY weak point in the fiber. The transition point where the protective coating ends and the stripped fiber begins is especially prone to damage, and is always the weakest part of the entire...
Defining type and semi tight buffers as opposed to loose tubes in optical cables
Many mechanical field terminable connectors use the 250 or 245 µm coding to restrain a cleaved fiber inside the back of shell of the connector, therefore if you have a 900 µm tight buffer you have a need to strip the 900um buffer from The 245um UV coating. Typically...
MCVD Tip: Avoid “undershoot/overshoot” during the lathe deposition process
It’s essential to program the PID to maintain tube temperature to the desired set-point while avoiding undershoot/overshoot. Here’s an example of an undershoot/overshoot oscillation. Let’s say you set the temperature at 1700 degrees C, but the PID is not optimized....
Tips from the connector backside
Some insight when it comes to changing a connector supplier….. let’s discuss a singlemode SC connector for first example: Starting from the point that the SC is an industrial standard connector, everyone knows that it is standardized on the connection point, meaning...
Fiber Optic Connector Cross Sectioning example from “Connector B” notes
From https://focenter.com/cross-sectioning-service/ Fiber Optic Connector Cross Sectioning and Analysis observations from “Connector B” notes Observations: This connector has (1) distinctive fiber fracture at the beginning of the ceramic internal chamfer (photo B.2)....
Follow the Telcordia GR-326 standard to validate your curing schedule
Setting up a new bonding process and need to establish the curing schedule or your production process is set but experiencing fiber movement and need to adjust curing temperature or time, here is a FOC TIP to validate your curing schedule: Follow the Telcordia GR-326...
