The Right Tools And The Right Radius Are Vital In A Fiber Optic Polishing Process

By Author: James
Total Articles: 22
Comment this article

In theory, polishing fiber optic connections is simple, but in reality, there are a lot of factors to take into account while attempting to identify the best procedure and tools. The quality and form of the polished end-face surface with a Fiber Polishing Machine are not necessary for every connection and application.


Clearly state your goals, paying particular attention to process yields and measurement criteria.


Clarifying your acceptance criteria and desired yields is crucial when creating a polishing process. You should also be able to measure and quantify pass/fail outcomes precisely. Additionally, almost all polished fiber optic ferrule end faces need to adhere to certain aesthetic standards. What standards will you apply to decide whether or not your polishing results are satisfactory?


Make sure you have the right tools.


Naturally, starting with brand-new polishing equipment would be great. Your process capabilities are greatly influenced by the accuracy of the dimensions ...
... of the polishing equipment. Follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions to ensure that your polishing equipment lasts for decades.


Naturally, the quantity of use determines how rapidly polishing fixtures wear out. It's conceivable that you'll need to buy new fixtures if you try the suggestions below and still can't obtain satisfactory results.


It is highly suggested that you use an interferometer to measure geometries during process development, regardless of whether your client or product design needs you to satisfy geometry standards. Although it is a costly piece of equipment, it is essential to creating a reliable polishing procedure. The Fiber Crimping Machine is used to crimp the cable wherever required.


Use only brand-new rubber polishing pads when creating a polishing procedure. Rubber pads are sometimes disregarded yet are essential to polish outcomes. For the rubber pad to produce consistent polishing results, its surface hardness must be constant. Rubber pads must always be replaced regularly since the hardness of rubber changes with time.


Use Radius as a starting point to modify your procedure.


Developing a fiber optic polishing process requires the ability to attain desired, repeatable Radius values. The first geometric parameter to be controlled is the radius. Because the radius value is a great way to measure the quantity of ferrule material removed during the process and the uniformity of the polishing pressure, two crucial variables have a big influence on all the results, including angle and visual appeal. All polished ferrules have been subjected to uniform polishing circumstances when they all have the same radius after polishing.


Use the interferometer to measure geometry and concentrate on the Radius values after cleaning a set of connections. A steady Radius variation on a single ferrule plate should, in general, be less than 2 mm. If the difference is greater, you probably have a problem with the procedure or your Fiber Polishing Machine is applying different pressures to the ferrules.


Generally speaking, the deviation in outcomes will be less if your average Radius value is smaller. Aiming toward the lower end of the Radius specification rather than the middle or upper end is typically a smart decision.