Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other and a plurality of bonding regions intermittently spaced along a length of the optical fiber ribbon. At each bonding region, at least one bond is formed between two optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Further, the at least one bond comprises a first material applied to outer surfaces of the two optical fibers and a second material applied over the first material. The first material is different from the second material, and at least one of the first material or the second material includes a colorant configured to identify the optical fiber ribbon. Also disclosed are embodiments of making such an optical fiber ribbon as well as of optical fiber cables including such an optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers. Each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers is arranged adjacently to at least one other optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers. The plurality of optical fibers have a planar configuration with a first side and a second side. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a first set of pointers disposed on the first side, the second side, or both the first side and the second side. The first set of pointers includes a first starter pointer and at least three first identifier pointers. The first starter pointer is configured to identify a start of an identification sequence for the optical fiber ribbon defined by the at least three first identifier pointers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other. Each optical fiber has a circumferential outer surface. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a lengthwise continuous coating disposed on at least a portion of the circumferential outer surface of each optical fiber. The coating includes a colorant for identifying the optical fiber ribbon among a plurality of optical fiber ribbons. The coating has a first thickness. Further, the optical fiber ribbon includes plurality of bonds intermittently formed between adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the bonds has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The plurality of bonds provide the only connection between the adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber ribbon in which the optical fibers of the optical fiber ribbon are intermittently bonded together at bonding regions along the length of the optical fiber ribbon. The bonding regions of the optical fiber ribbon each include a joining ribbon matrix that have different colors along the length of the optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of subunits each having a subunit coating surrounding at least one optical fiber. The subunit coating is made of a first material. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a plurality of bonds intermittently formed between adjacent subunits of the plurality of subunits. The plurality of bonds are made of a second material. Each bond of the plurality of bonds has a unique longitudinal position along a length of the optical fiber ribbon such that no other bond of the plurality of bonds is located at the unique longitudinal position. Further, each bond of the plurality of bonds includes a diffusion zone comprising a mixture of the first material and the second material.

Abstract: A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of subunits each comprising a subunit coating surrounding at least two optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other. The subunit coating is made of a first material. A plurality of bonds are intermittently formed between adjacent subunits of the plurality of subunits. The plurality of bonds are made of a second material. The optical fiber ribbon includes a diffusion zone at an interface between each of the plurality of bonds and the subunit coating of each adjacent subunit. Each diffusion zone has a gradient of the second material in the first material. Further, the intermittent bonds may include one or more saddle surfaces formed by intersecting convex and concave curvatures. A method of forming such optical fiber ribbons is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes optical fibers arranged in a row having a first width. Indicator fibers are provided at the edges of the row. The indicator fibers have different color fiber jackets. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a primary matrix into which the plurality of optical fibers is embedded. The optical fiber ribbon also includes an opacifying layer having a second width and a color layer, distinct from the opacifying layer, having a third width. The optical fiber ribbon further includes a layer of printing disposed on an outer surface of the primary matrix. In the optical fiber ribbon, the first width is greater than at least one of the second width or the third width such that the indicator fibers extend past at least one of the opacifying layer or the color layer.

Abstract: An optical cable and method for forming an optical cable is provided. The cable includes a cable jacket including an inner surface defining a channel and an outer surface and also includes a plurality of optical fibers located within the channel. The cable includes a seam within the cable jacket that couples together opposing longitudinal edges of a wrapped thermoplastic sheet which forms the cable jacket and maintains the cable jacket in the wrapped configuration around the plurality of optical fibers. The method includes forming an outer cable jacket by wrapping a sheet of thermoplastic material around a plurality of optical core elements. The method includes melting together portions of thermoplastic material of opposing longitudinal edges of the wrapped sheet such that a seam is formed holding the sheet of thermoplastic material in the wrapped configuration around the core elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other and a plurality of bonding regions intermittently spaced along a length of the optical fiber ribbon. At each bonding region, at least one bond is formed between two optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Further, the at least one bond comprises a first material applied to outer surfaces of the two optical fibers and a second material applied over the first material. The first material is different from the second material, and at least one of the first material or the second material includes a colorant configured to identify the optical fiber ribbon. Also disclosed are embodiments of making such an optical fiber ribbon as well as of optical fiber cables including such an optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: Disclosed here are embodiments of an optical fiber ribbon. In the optical fiber ribbon, a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a row. The optical fibers are embedded in a primary matrix. The primary matrix comprises a base resin and an opacifier pigment. A secondary matrix is disposed around the primary matrix, and a layer of printing is disposed between the primary matrix and the secondary matrix. The secondary matrix has a contrast ratio of from 0.2 to 0.9 as measured according to ASTM D2805. Embodiments of a method of preparing an optical fiber ribbon are also disclosed in which optical fibers are arranged in a row and embedded in a primary matrix. Characteristics of the optical fibers is printed onto the primary matrix, and the primary matrix is coated with a secondary matrix having a contrast ratio of from 0.2 to 0.9 according to ASTM D2805.

Abstract: A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor.

Abstract: A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes optical fibers arranged in a row having a first width. Indicator fibers are provided at the edges of the row. The indicator fibers have different color fiber jackets. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a primary matrix into which the plurality of optical fibers is embedded. The optical fiber ribbon also includes an opacifying layer having a second width and a color layer, distinct from the opacifying layer, having a third width. The optical fiber ribbon further includes a layer of printing disposed on an outer surface of the primary matrix. In the optical fiber ribbon, the first width is greater than at least one of the second width or the third width such that the indicator fibers extend past at least one of the opacifying layer or the color layer.

Abstract: An optical fiber carrying structure that includes a jacket is provided. The jacket includes a primary body portion formed from a first polymer material and a one or more marking region formed from a second polymer material. Indicia are formed in at least one of the marking regions. The indicia are formed from a laser-induced change to the second polymer material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes optical fibers arranged in a row having a first width. Indicator fibers are provided at the edges of the row. The indicator fibers have different color fiber jackets. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a primary matrix into which the plurality of optical fibers is embedded. The optical fiber ribbon also includes an opacifying layer having a second width and a color layer, distinct from the opacifying layer, having a third width. The optical fiber ribbon further includes a layer of printing disposed on an outer surface of the primary matrix. In the optical fiber ribbon, the first width is greater than at least one of the second width or the third width such that the indicator fibers extend past at least one of the opacifying layer or the color layer.

Abstract: An optical cable and method for forming an optical cable is provided. The cable includes a cable jacket including an inner surface defining a channel and an outer surface and also includes a plurality of optical fibers located within the channel. The cable includes a seam within the cable jacket that couples together opposing longitudinal edges of a wrapped thermoplastic sheet which forms the cable jacket and maintains the cable jacket in the wrapped configuration around the plurality of optical fibers. The method includes forming an outer cable jacket by wrapping a sheet of thermoplastic material around a plurality of optical core elements. The method includes melting together portions of thermoplastic material of opposing longitudinal edges of the wrapped sheet such that a seam is formed holding the sheet of thermoplastic material in the wrapped configuration around the core elements.

Abstract: Disclosed here are embodiments of an optical fiber ribbon. In the optical fiber ribbon, a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a row. The optical fibers are embedded in a primary matrix. The primary matrix comprises a base resin and an opacifier pigment. A secondary matrix is disposed around the primary matrix, and a layer of printing is disposed between the primary matrix and the secondary matrix. The secondary matrix has a contrast ratio of from 0.2 to 0.9 as measured according to ASTM D2805. Embodiments of a method of preparing an optical fiber ribbon are also disclosed in which optical fibers are arranged in a row and embedded in a primary matrix. Characteristics of the optical fibers is printed onto the primary matrix, and the primary matrix is coated with a secondary matrix having a contrast ratio of from 0.2 to 0.9 according to ASTM D2805.

Abstract: An optical fiber carrying structure that includes a jacket is provided. The jacket includes a primary body portion formed from a first polymer material and a one or more marking region formed from a second polymer material. Indicia are formed in at least one of the marking regions. The indicia are formed from a laser-induced change to the second polymer material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes optical fibers arranged in a row having a first width. Indicator fibers are provided at the edges of the row. The indicator fibers have different color fiber jackets. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a primary matrix into which the plurality of optical fibers is embedded. The optical fiber ribbon also includes an opacifying layer having a second width and a color layer, distinct from the opacifying layer, having a third width. The optical fiber ribbon further includes a layer of printing disposed on an outer surface of the primary matrix. In the optical fiber ribbon, the first width is greater than at least one of the second width or the third width such that the indicator fibers extend past at least one of the opacifying layer or the color layer.