Abstract: A grinding device for grinding the ends of fibres and particularly optical fibres comprises a stand 10 carrying a mounting arrangement 13 for mounting a fibre and rotating it about its longitudinal axis. The stand 10 also carries a grinding wheel 18 and a microscope 22. The positions of the microscope 22 and mounting arrangement are all accurately controllable by micrometers 12, 23, 25 and 27.

Abstract: A tape printer which is for use with pressure-sensitive paper tape and which prints characters in the form of dots disposed in a 7.times. 7 or 7.times. 5 matrix has its printing elements formed by a stack of seven metal strips. Each of these strips has an associated electromagent and upon energization of any one of these electromagnets the associated strip is moved longitudinally to cause the paper tape to be squeezed between an end of the appropriate strip and a rectilinear edge of a fixed anvil so as to cause a dot to be printed. The dimensions of such a dot are determined in one direction by the width of the operated strip and in the other direction by the width of the edge of the anvil. An electric motor is provided to advance the tape.