Abstract: A ferrule for optical connectors. The ferrule includes a mating face for mating with a mating ferrule. Fiber receiving openings extend through the mating face. A protrusion surface extends from the mating face. The protrusion surface surrounds the fiber receiving openings, wherein all of the fiber receiving openings extend through the protrusion surface of the mating face. A top surface of the ferrule has an opening, the opening is positioned proximate to the mating face. A fiber positioning member is positioned in the ferrule, the fiber positioning member has channels which cooperate with individual fibers to properly position and retain the fibers in the ferrule. The channels have tapered surfaces which guide the fibers into the channels smoothly without the fiber abutting on the wall of the channels.

Abstract: A method of preparing a ferrule assembly comprising the steps of: (a) providing a ferrule having a front face, and top and bottom surfaces, and defining a cavity, and the top surface having an access hole to the cavity, the bottom surface defining one or more weep holes in fluid communication with the cavity, the front face defining a plurality of boreholes in fluid communication with the cavity, each borehole adapted to receive a fiber; (b) inserting a plurality of fibers into the boreholes; and (c) applying adhesive to the access hole, thereby causing air in the cavity to vent through at least one of the weep holes. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of adhesive is controlled by observing when adhesive oozes from the weep holes.