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Fujikura Launches New ARCMasterTM Fusion Splicers for Factory, Manufacturing, R&D, and Laboratory Environments and Series of Fiber Optics Tools |
| January 19, 2011,Tokyo, Japan. Fujikura Ltd.(www.fujikura.com), the world leader in fusion splicing technology announces the following two new fiber optic fusion splicers and a series of innovative fiber optic tools to be exhibited in AFL Booth #4103 at Photonics West 2011, January 25-27, at The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA, USA. Products to be introduced include: |
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>Specialty fiber fusion splicer FSM-100M+
>PM fiber fusion splicer FSM-100P+
>Polyimide fiber coating stripper PCS-100
>Optical fiber automatic preparation machine APM-100
>Advanced optical fiber cleaver CT-100
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"Sophisticated" specialty fiber fusion splicers FSM-100M+ and FSM-100P+ |
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The number and type of optical fibers for fusion splicing applications is rapidly increasing and diversifying beyond telecommunications and into fiber lasers, sensors and the medical field. The addition of the FSM-100M+/100P+ to the ARCMaster product line which currently consists of the FSM-100M/100P released in August 2010, provides further advanced capabilities, including an innovative "end-view"fiber observation system and XLDF (Extra Large Diameter Fiber) splicing capability. |
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End-view fiber observation system (100M+/P+) |
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The cleaved ends of the optical fiber are observed in the axial direction by a means of a mirror that directs the fiber end image into the camera system. This allows precise alignment and splicing of uniquely structured fibers, such as PM, multi-core, non-circular (hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) or micro-structured "holey" fibers. |
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XLDF splicing capability (100M+/P+) |
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Large diameter fibers up to 1200 µm cladding diameter can be spliced with air-cooled 3mm diameter electrodes that oscillate up/down during splicing. The up/down electrode oscillation produces "Plasma Zone Path Modulation" in order to evenly heat very large fibers. In addition to the original "Plasma Zone Control" fiber and electrode positioning techniques introduced with 100M/P series, the"Plasma Zone Path Modulation" now provides unprecedented versatility for a wider variety of optical fibers including XLDF. |
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Enhanced sweep arc technology (100M+/P+) |
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The travel range for the "sweep arc" is now increased to +/- 18mm for improved MFD matching capability and for improved ability to reshaping non-circular fibers in preparation for splicing. This (as well as the also increased left/right Z-stage travel) also allows for longer tapered fibers. |
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"Split v-groove" and "height adjustable fiber stage (100M+/P+)" |
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This revolutionary design provides firm fiber clamping ranging from 60 µm to 1200 µm in cladding diameter. |
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Three PM alignment technologies (100P+) |
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To properly align and splice the ever increasing and technically challenging variety of PM fibers, Fujikura developed IPA, a new alignment technology. The FSM-100P includes both traditional PAS alignment as well as the new IPA technology, providing users with the most comprehensive capabilities on the market for splicing PM fiber. With the new FSM-100P+, the end-view observation system adds a third PM fiber alignment technology, in addition to the traditional PAS and the IPA methods. |
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Special arc calibration technology |
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This calibration technology facilitates an easy transfer of high end splicing applications from R&D to production by ensuring consistent performance and enables full exploitation of "Plasma Zone" capabilities. |
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Improved splice loss estimation technology |
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Combining the best features of both cold and warm splice imaging, these new generation splicers offer extraordinary accuracy for splice loss estimation. |
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Production friendly design |
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The splicers possess a low profile design that eliminates fiber catch points. The dimensions of both splicers are consistent with the most popular production splicing workbenches in use today. |
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Internet firmware updates – An industry first! |
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Customers can now upgrade firmware as new capabilities become available from Fujikura. Upgrading is as simple as connecting a USB cable to your splicer. |
| The need for Accurate, Reliable, and Consistent splicing is expanding to new applications beyond telecommunications. Today splicing is used for fiber lasers, sensors, medical applications, and research and development. These entirely new "ARCMaster" fusion splicers from Fujikura have been developed to provide the ultimate in performance and flexibility for a variety of customers and markets. |
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Polyimide fiber coating stripper PCS-100 |
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Polyimide coated optical fiber is now widely used in the oil and gas and medical industries. The coating has superior heat and chemical resistance to conventional UV curable material, but dangerous chemical stripping that uses hot sulfuric acid or burning are common methods to remove the coating due to its thin but strong adhesion to the glass fiber cladding. The PCS-100 is the first tool using a mechanical stripping method, providing safe, consistent and quick stripping solutions. |
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Quick stripping |
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A razor blade is applied to the fiber with specific tension, and the coating is precisely planed along the fiber automatically. The process takes less time than the conventional methods of acid or heat. |
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Safe and quality stripping |
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Because hot acid is not used, the operation is much safer. In addition, the fiber quality degradation is kept at a minimum as the glass surface is not damaged by oxidization of the coating during burning or arcing. |
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Flexible |
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Many parameters, such as the razor blade position and stroke, and fiber rotation angle are all adjustable for various fiber sizes and coating materials. |
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Optical fiber automatic preparation machine APM-100 |
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Certain steps are required to prepare optical fibers before splicing, including: |
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Stripping fiber without degrading fiber quality
Cleaning fiber with alcohol to remove coating residue
Cleaving consistently at a right angle to the fiber axis
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The quality of each process largely relies on an operator's skill and habits, which can negatively affect productivity and process yields. The APM-100 performs all these troublesome processes automatically with high consistency and without operator sensitivity. |
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Quick operation |
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The whole process is complete in as little as 18 seconds. |
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Automatic cleaning |
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Main components in the machine are automatically cleaned allowing a continuous sequence of 100 fiber preparation operations. |
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Automatic residue collector |
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Coating residue and glass scraps are collected in separate containers. At least 100 fiber preparation operations may be performed without emptying the scrap collectors. |
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Alcohol circulation system |
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Alcohol for cleaning is circulated in a closed system enabling a lengthy refill-free operation. |
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Diamond blade |
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A Diamond blade is used for cleaving and provides consistent cleaving quality. |
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Reliable stripping method |
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Contact of the stripping blade to the fiber is prevented using guides in conjunction with the blade. This minimizes damage to fiber during the stripping process. |
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Production-friendly design |
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The operating height is the same as the FSM-100 series splicers providing ergonomic, smooth and simple operation. |
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Advanced optical fiber cleaver CT-100 |
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Precise cleaving is required for photonic splicing applications, even as the types of optical fiber become more diversified to meet new applications. In addition, angled cleaving is often required for low back-reflection fiber end preparation. The CT-100 has been developed to offer adjustability and versatility for these various fibers types and applications while offering superior cleaving performance to conventional cleavers that utilize a circular blade. The CT-100 is equipped with a motorized diamond blade that touches the fiber after tension has been applied. The tension may be adjusted to meet the precise requirements for a specific fiber type. The APM-100 uses this same cleaving system. |
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Diamond blade |
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The diamond blade is used for cleaving and provides consistent cleaving quality. |
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Large diameter fiber cleaving capability |
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Large diameter fiber up to 250 µm cladding diameter can be cleaved. Tension applied to fiber can be adjusted for optimum cleaving conditions for various fibers. Toggle clamps are equipped on both left/right fiber-ends to apply consistent tension to fiber, critical with LDF cleaving. |
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Angled cleaving capability |
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The fiber twisting angle is adjustable for to set the torsion properly for the target cleave angle. |
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Cleave counter |
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A cleave counter is provided so users to know the number of cleaves that have been performed. Operators can use this feature to determine blade adjustment and replacement timing. |
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Adjustable cleave length |
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The fiber clamping stage is movable, and cleave length can be adjusted from 3mm to 40mm. |
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Dual power sources |
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Internal battery slot is equipped for battery operation with four "AA" size batteries, as well as AC operation with an AC/DC adapter. |
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| StateoftheARC.com: |
| Additional information can be found at Fujikura's new www.StateoftheARC.com website which will be the central repository of information for all of Fujikura's state of the art fusion splicer products. Stay tuned to www.StateoftheARC.com for forthcoming additions to the "ARCMaster" family of specialty fusion splicers. |
| About Fujikura: |
| Fujikura is the world's leading manufacturer of fiber optic cables and equipment for installation, measurement, and testing. Fujikura incorporates "Tsunagu" technology making the Fujikura name synonymous with fiber optic fusion splicers. Visit www.fujikura for more information. |
