Abstract: A method for fabricating flexible optical fiber circuits, including routing optical fiber on a flexible substrate according to a predetermined pattern using an optical fiber routing head, wherein routing the optical fiber includes routing at least one non-disposable optical fiber portion and least one disposable test pattern. A cutting head is aligned to cut adjacent at least one segment of the non-disposable optical fiber portion based upon the accuracy with which the cutting head cuts adjacent to the test pattern. Using the test patterns avoids alignment errors that may otherwise occur during the cutting of the optical fiber circuit which can result in a total loss of the optical fiber substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating flexible optical fiber circuits, including routing optical fiber on a flexible substrate according to a predetermined pattern using an optical fiber routing head, wherein routing the optical fiber includes routing at least one non-disposable optical fiber portion and least one disposable test pattern. A cutting head is aligned to cut adjacent at least one segment of the non-disposable optical fiber portion based upon the accuracy with which the cutting head cuts adjacent to the test pattern. Using the test patterns avoids alignment errors that may otherwise occur during the cutting of the optical fiber circuit which can result in a total loss of the optical fiber substrate.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector for use with plastic optical fibers includes a housing having a longitudinal bore forming a flat end wall adjacent the fiber entrance end. A graduated coil spring member is seated against the wall and retained within the bore. The spring has a first, compression generating section, a second section of lesser diameter for grasping and holding the jacket of a jacketed plastic optic fiber, and a third section that locates and guides the bare fiber to the interface end of the coupler.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly has a connector having a bore having a cable receiving end and a reentrant interface end forming a fiber holder. Jacketed plastic optical fiber is affixed within the bore and unjacketed fiber is contained in the fiber holder. A latching arm has latch means for engaging a shoulder in an adapter, and camming lobes on the latching arm engage sloping ramps in the adapter to impart a bias force to move the connector toward the interface end.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly has a connector having a bore having a cable receiving end and a reentrant interface and forming a fiber holder. A latching arm has latch means for engaging a shoulder in a adapter, and camming lobes on the latching arm engage sloping ramps in the adapter to impart a bias force to move the connector toward the interface end. A bias force augmenting member is included for insuring reliable connections over extended periods of time. The augmenting member is a resilient member whose elastic force is added to the biasing force produced by the camming lobes.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector is disclosed for terminating an optical cable which has a plastic core and a surrounding jacket. The connector includes a body member which has a central bore extending therethrough within which is a longitudinally extending internally threaded portion dimensioned to grip the plastic jacket when the cable is screwed into the body member. The bore has a tapered section extending from the threaded portion to a cable entrant end of the body to facilitate insertion of an optical cable into the body.