Abstract: A fabrication carrier for fiber optic connectors defines a body configured to removably hold a plurality of fiber optic ferrules. The body allows each of the fiber optic ferrules to be movable along its axis under a bias when the ferrules are mounted to the body. The body can be coupled to a polishing plate for use with a ferrule polishing apparatus in a polishing step. Coupling of the body to the polishing plate allows each of the ferrules to at least partially protrude past a bottom face of the polishing plate for contact with the polishing apparatus. The body of the fabrication carrier is configured as a fixture that can be used in at least one additional fabrication step aside from the polishing step when not mounted to the polishing plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved stripping process that allows for double stripping in a fiber optic cable processing apparatus. The fiber optic cable processing apparatus has a double stripping fixture that includes a first set of blades configured for stripping a buffer layer off a fiber optic cable and a second set of blades for simultaneously stripping a buffer layer and a coating layer off the fiber optic cable. The double stripping fixture can also include spacers that are configured to set a gap between the first and second sets of blades.

Abstract: A fixture for retaining an optical connector holder and optical fibers for splicing in an optical fiber stripping machine is disclosed. The fixture enables for two optical fibers of the connector to be appropriately aligned such that they can be simultaneously stripped in a standard optical fiber stripping machine. In one example, the fixture includes a main body extending between a first end and a second, a cavity defined within the main body the cavity, the cavity being for receiving an optical cable holder of an optical fiber connector, a first fiber retention structure for holding the optical fibers extending from the connector holder, and a second fiber retention structure for holding the optical fibers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fusion splicing an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of mechanically stripping a coating layer from the optical fiber to form a bare fiber end and inserting the bare fiber end of the optical fiber into a resistive heating element structure to remove residual coating from a cladding layer. The resistive heating element structure shapes a severed end of the coating layer such that the severed end is fully within a cylindrical envelope defined by a non-disturbed portion of the coating layer. The method further includes a step of loading the optical fiber into an alignment groove of a fiber alignment fixture such that the shaped severed end of the optical fiber is in contact with the alignment groove. The method includes a step of fusion splicing the bare fiber end of the optical fiber to a cable fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fusion splicing an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of mechanically stripping a coating layer from the optical fiber to form a bare fiber end and inserting the bare fiber end of the optical fiber into a resistive heating element structure to remove residual coating from a cladding layer. The resistive heating element structure shapes a severed end of the coating layer such that the severed end is fully within a cylindrical envelop defined by a non-disturbed portion of the coating layer. The method further includes a step of loading the optical fiber into an alignment groove of a fiber alignment fixture such that the shaped severed end of the optical fiber is in contact with the alignment groove. The method includes a step of fusion splicing the bare fiber end of the optical fiber to a cable fiber.

Abstract: A processing system to connectorize optical cables includes processing stations on a table arrangement; and a track arrangement. The processing stations include: a strip-clean-cleave station that creates prepared ends of cable fibers and stub fibers; a splice station that fusion splices the prepared ends of cable and stub fibers; an overmold station that injection molds hubs around the splices; a UV cure station and a heat cure station for the injection molding; and a connector assembly station at which an optical connector is assembled at an end of each optical cable.

Abstract: A processing system to connectorize optical cables includes processing stations on a table arrangement; and a track arrangement. The processing stations include: a strip-clean-cleave station that creates prepared ends of cable fibers and stub fibers; a splice station that fusion splices the prepared ends of cable and stub fibers; an overmold station that injection molds hubs around the splices; a UV cure station and a heat cure station for the injection molding; and a connector assembly station at which an optical connector is assembled at an end of each optical cable.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly which permits repair of damaged fibers or copper conductors carried by a hybrid fiber/copper cable without requiring replacement of the entire connector assembly or the cable is disclosed. The hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly disclosed also allows individual hybrid fiber/copper connectors of the assembly to be converted from one gender to a different gender. The hybrid fiber/copper connectors of the assembly include removable keying members mountable to housings of the connectors. The removable keying members allow gender conversion and proper mating and orientation. The hybrid fiber/copper connector assembly also allows the individual connectors of the assembly to be converted from being hybrid fiber/copper connectors to being only fiber connectors or only copper connectors.

Abstract: A tool and method for accurately and efficiently cutting through a jacket of a fiber optic cable at a break-out location. The tool securely holds the fiber optic cable and accurately controls the depth and length of cut(s). In addition, the tool accurately positions the cut(s) both in relation to the fiber optic cable and in relation to other cuts.

Abstract: An inspection probe is disclosed for use with a fiber optic adapter. The inspection probe can inspect a terminated end of an optical fiber within the fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic adapter can include a ferrule receiver located between first and second ports. The inspection probe is inserted into the first port of the fiber optic adapter and a coupling feature of the inspection probe engages and aligns with the ferrule receiver. A fiber optic connector is inserted into the second port of the fiber optic adapter and a ferrule of the fiber optic connector aligns with the ferrule receiver. The ferrule holds the terminated end of the optical fiber and thereby positions the terminated end within the ferrule receiver. An image capturing end of the inspection probe is thereby positioned proximal the terminated end of the optical fiber and can inspect the terminated end and/or the ferrule.

Abstract: An inspection probe is disclosed for use with a fiber optic adapter. The inspection probe can inspect a terminated end of an optical fiber within the fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic adapter can include a ferrule receiver located between first and second ports. The inspection probe is inserted into the first port of the fiber optic adapter and a coupling feature of the inspection probe engages and aligns with the ferrule receiver. A fiber optic connector is inserted into the second port of the fiber optic adapter and a ferrule of the fiber optic connector aligns with the ferrule receiver. The ferrule holds the terminated end of the optical fiber and thereby positions the terminated end within the ferrule receiver. An image capturing end of the inspection probe is thereby positioned proximal the terminated end of the optical fiber and can inspect the terminated end and/or the ferrule.

Abstract: A cable access tool and method provide a means for accurately and efficiently cutting through a jacket of a fiber optic cable at a break-out location. The cable access tool provides a means to securely hold the fiber optic cable. A means of accurately controlling the depth and length of cut(s) are provided. In addition, a means of accurately positioning the cut(s) both in relation to the fiber optic cable and in relation to other cuts is provided.