Abstract: To automate fiber connectivity management in optical systems, a dedicated low bit-rate communications channel unique to each fiber connection in an optical system is provided. The dedicated communications channel simplifies fiber connectivity management by supporting the exchange of port identification information from one optical component to another after which processing determines if the specific connection is a desired association. The dedicated communications channel supports optical interconnection surveillance for all card-to-card optical connections within a group of related cards or within an optical network link. Automating fiber connectivity management in this manner will enhance future products by simplifying the fiber connection validation process and ensuring that any specific connection between optical components is the required association.

Abstract: A hide splitting machine according to the invention has two pivot arms, mounted on modified journals at each end of a rubber roller, that are connected to two ring roller swivel arms attached to each end of the ring roller. The ring roller swivel arms connected to the pivot arms allow constant radial distance movement of the ring roller along the circumference of the rubber roller. Therefore, the ring roller can be retracted or moved away automatically, without possibility of mechanical damage, from the razor sharp band knife and ring jaw insert edge. The automatic retraction of the ring roller a preset distance allows splitting machine operators to easily access the ring jaw insert for safe, quick and efficient manual cleaning of the ring jaw insert edge. The automatic retraction of the ring roller further eliminates physical handling and/or manual removal of the ring roller from the splitting machine during the ring jaw insert edge cleaning process.