Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus to process and assemble optical subsystems. In one aspect, the optical subsystems are placed on a carrier apparatus adapted to support a plurality of the optical subsystems in a desired process orientation and with a desired spacing to provide high process throughput. In one aspect of the invention, optical components are assembled and sequentially processed in various steps, such as component installation, optical fiber preparation, component attachment, fiber trim, optical fiber polishing, and optical component testing to produce a finished optical subsystem.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus to process and assemble optical subsystems. In one aspect, the optical subsystems are placed on a carrier apparatus adapted to support a plurality of the optical subsystems in a desired process orientation and with a desired spacing to provide high process throughput. In one aspect of the invention, optical components are assembled and sequentially processed in various steps, such as component installation, optical fiber preparation, component attachment, fiber trim, optical fiber polishing, and optical component testing to produce a finished optical subsystem.

Abstract: An optical component installation apparatus adapted to assemble a plurality of components onto a plurality of fiber optic cables being processed within a multistage integrated optical component processing system. The component installation apparatus includes a fiber preparation apparatus adapted to remove an outer protective coating from a fiber optic cable to expose a fiber optic cladding and core for processing in a multi-stage integrated optical component processing system.

Abstract: An optical component installation apparatus adapted to assemble a plurality of components onto a plurality of fiber optic cables being processed within a multistage integrated optical component processing system. The component installation apparatus includes at least one component dispensing tool, and a component transfer tool rotatably coupled to at least one robot. The component transfer tool and at least one robot are configured to cooperatively receive at least one of the plurality of components from the at least one component dispensing tool, rotate the at least one of the plurality of components to a transfer position, and transfer the at least one of the plurality of components onto at least one of the plurality of fiber optic cables.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a fiber trim apparatus and method. The apparatus and method are generally configured to trim an exposed fiber optic cable segment protruding from at least one optical interface being processed within a multi-stage integrated optical component processing system. The fiber trim apparatus generally includes a laser cutting tool adapted to direct at least one laser beam to the optical interface to trim at least some of an excess of fiber optic cladding and core extending from the at least one optical interface, and a trim positioning apparatus adapted to position the excess fiber optic cladding and core extending from the at least one optical interface between a pre-processing and processing position with respect to the laser cutting tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for transporting one or more optical components between a plurality of optical component processing stages of an assembly system. The carrier transport apparatus is generally adapted to move at least one optical component carrier between at least two optical component processing stages and position the at least one optical component carrier between a plurality of a processing positions with respect to each of the at least two optical component processing stages.

Abstract: An optical component attachment apparatus adapted to attach a plurality of optical components to a plurality of mating optical fibers being processed within a multi-stage integrated optical component processing system. The component attachment apparatus generally includes an insertion robot adapted to position the plurality of the optical components and the plurality of mating optical fibers within a component insertion tool, wherein the component insertion tool is configured to insert a plurality of mating optical components to a plurality of mating fiber optic cables held in a processing position relative the longitudinal axis of the mating optical components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an optical component carrier apparatus adapted to hold a plurality of fiber optic cables and optical components. The carrier apparatus generally includes a body having a top, bottom, and sidewall members that cooperatively define an optical component storage region. A plurality of component storage apparatuses disposed within the component storage region are provided, and at least one clamp apparatus coupled to at least one of the sidewall members and adapted to grip at least one of the optical components and the plurality of fiber optic cables is provided.