Abstract: Provided are a system, method and computer program product for generating three dimensional models for use by an additive manufacturing or 3D printing system, in which object model data defining one or more objects to be built by a three-dimensional printing apparatus is input and used to generate a three dimensional model for a protective structure to surround the one or more objects. A user is provided with selectable configuration options for the protective structure. The method includes presenting, via a user interface, selectable configuration options for a protective structure to be built around the one or more objects by the three-dimensional printing apparatus. In response to user selection of one or more configuration options via the user interface, a three dimensional model for the protective structure is automatically generated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ferrule boot that provides a pitch conversion from fiber ribbon having a first pitch (e.g., about 200 microns) to a multi-fiber ferrule having fiber openings arranged at a second pitch larger than the first pitch (e.g., about 250 microns). The ferrule boot may also function as a tool for inserting pitch converted optical fibers into the multi-fiber ferrule.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a fiber holder for holding optical fibers. The fiber holder can include a main holder body having a length that extends between first and second ends of the main holder body, a width that extends between first and second side walls of the main holder body, and a height that extends between top and bottom sides of the main holder body. The main holder body can define a plurality of fiber positioning grooves that extend along the length of the main holder body and spaced across the width of the main holder body. The main holder body also includes a fiber engagement structure having a fiber engagement surface. The fiber engagement structure can be aligned with an open region that interrupts the plurality of fiber positioning grooves. The fiber engagement structure can extend through the height of the main holder body from the top side to the fiber engagement surface.

Abstract: Certain splice arrangements include first and second laminate structures bonded around a splice location at which two or more optical fibers are spliced (e.g., fusion spliced) together. The first and second laminate structures each include a flexible polymeric sheet and a heat activated adhesive layer carried by the flexible polymeric sheet. Other splice arrangements include a protective barrier disposed about an optical splice. The protective barrier includes first and second protective layers bonded around the optical splice. Each protective layer include a film carrying an adhesive. The protective barrier may be sufficiently flexible to not restrict flexing the optical fibers at the splice location. Example splice arrangements have thicknesses of less than or equal to 1000 microns, or 900 microns, or 800 microns, or 700 microns, or 600 microns or 500 microns.

Abstract: Methods and devices for assembling a fiber optic connector are provided. A device supports at least one fiber optic connector. The connector has an optical fiber inserted through the ferrule so that an exposed portion is disposed outside of the ferrule. Residual epoxy on the exposed portion is cured prior to physically manipulating the optical fiber within the ferrule. The device includes at least one heating chamber and a heat shield for curing of the residual epoxy.

Abstract: Certain splice arrangements include first and second laminate structures bonded around a splice location at which two or more optical fibers are spliced (e.g., fusion spliced) together. The first and second laminate structures each include a flexible polymeric sheet and a heat activated adhesive layer carried by the flexible polymeric sheet. Other splice arrangements include a protective barrier disposed about an optical splice. The protective barrier includes first and second protective layers bonded around the optical splice. Each protective layer include a film carrying an adhesive. The protective barrier may be sufficiently flexible to not restrict flexing the optical fibers at the splice location. Example splice arrangements have thicknesses of less than or equal to 1000 microns, or 900 microns, or 800 microns, or 700 microns, or 600 microns or 500 microns.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for providing 200 micron, or smaller, coated optical fibers with a 250 micrometer pitch diameter in preparation for insertion into a Multi-fiber Push On connector (MPO) and/or splicing apparatus. The apparatus can sort, arrange, and clamp optical fibers into a proper sequence to allow the coated optical fibers to be aligned for processing, for example, connectorization and/or splicing. The apparatus includes a separator element that defines grooves for receiving and sequencing coated optical fibers with respect to each other to set a uniform pitch diameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ferrule boot for mounting in a multi-fiber ferrule. The ferrule boot may include a body member that has a distal end and a proximal end. The body member may define a plurality of openings that extend lengthwise therethrough with each opening being configured for receiving a respective one of a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A process of growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone, including a reaction mixture that is operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation, is provided. The reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass that is operative for growth within the reaction zone. In one aspect, the carbon dioxide supply is modulated in response to detected process parameters. In another aspect, inputs to the reaction zone are modulated based on changes to the carbon dioxide supply. In another aspect, dilution of the carbon dioxide-comprising supply is effected. In another aspect, pressure of the carbon dioxide-comprising supply is increased. In another aspect, water is condensed from the carbon dioxide-comprising supply and recovered for re-use. In another aspect, the produced phototrophic biomass is harvested at a rate which approximates a predetermined mass growth rate of the phototrophic biomass.

Abstract: Processing operations allow optical fibers to be efficiently installed in ferrules. An optical fiber holding device includes a clip having a length that extends between a first end and a second end. The clip includes a base and a cover that each extend between the first end and second ends. The clip includes a fiber passage that located between the cover and the base that extends between the first and second ends. The clip defines a ferrule boot receptacle at the first end.

Abstract: A process of growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone, including a reaction mixture that is operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation, is provided. The reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass that is operative for growth within the reaction zone. In one aspect, the carbon dioxide supply is modulated in response to detected process parameters. In another aspect, inputs to the reaction zone are modulated based on changes to the carbon dioxide supply. In another aspect, dilution of the carbon dioxide-comprising supply is effected. In another aspect, pressure of the carbon dioxide-comprising supply is increased. In another aspect, water is condensed from the carbon dioxide-comprising supply and recovered for re-use. In another aspect, the produced phototrophic biomass is harvested at a rate which approximates a predetermined growth rate of the phototrophic biomass.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a method for processing an optical fiber. The coating is stripped from the cladding of the optical fiber using a stripping process. Direct heat is applied to the first side of the optical fiber and is not applied to the second side of the optical fiber. Then, the optical fiber is inserted into a fiber alignment structure with the second side of the optical fiber engaging a fiber alignment feature of the alignment structure. The first side of the optical fiber does not engage the fiber alignment feature.

Abstract: A fiber cleaving tool includes a cleaving component, a first mounting nest at a first end of the cleaving component, and a second mounting nest at an opposite second end of the cleaving component. Each mounting nest is configured to hold and orient a mounting clip to direct one or more optical fibers towards the cleaving component. The orientation of the mounting nests of the cleaving tool may correspond to the orientation of the mounting nests of a splice tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a splice arrangement. The splice arrangement may include an elongate splice protection housing that defines a channel that extends lengthwise through the elongate splice protection housing from a first end of the splice protection housing to an opposite second end of the splice protection housing. The splice arrangement may also include a first fiber optic cable and a second fiber optic cable. First optical fibers of the first fiber optic cable and second optical fibers of the second fiber optic cable may be coupled together at a splice location positioned within the channel of the elongate splice protection housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fan-out arrangement. The fan-out arrangement may include a main cable that includes a jacket containing a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of breakout cables that receive the optical fibers of the main cable. The fan-out arrangement may include a fan-out device for transitioning the optical fibers from the main cable to the breakout cable. The fan-out device may include a fan-out housing that includes oppositely positioned first and second housing ends. The fan-out device may also include a fiber transition insert that mounts within the fan-out housing.

Abstract: Certain splice arrangements include first and second laminate structures bonded around a splice location at which two or more optical fibers are spliced (e.g., fusion spliced) together. The first and second laminate structures each include a flexible polymeric sheet and a heat activated adhesive layer carried by the flexible polymeric sheet. Other splice arrangements include a protective barrier disposed about an optical splice. The protective barrier includes first and second protective layers bonded around the optical splice. Each protective layer include a film carrying an adhesive. The protective barrier may be sufficiently flexible to not restrict flexing the optical fibers at the splice location. Example splice arrangements have thicknesses of less than or equal to 1000 microns, or 900 microns, or 800 microns, or 700 microns, or 600 microns or 500 microns.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for providing 200 micron, or smaller, coated optical fibers with a 250 micrometer pitch diameter in preparation for insertion into a Multi-fiber Push On connector (MPO) and/or splicing apparatus. The apparatus can sort, arrange, and clamp optical fibers into a proper sequence to allow the coated optical fibers to be aligned for processing, for example, connectorization and/or splicing. The apparatus includes a separator element that defines grooves for receiving and sequencing coated optical fibers with respect to each other to set a uniform pitch diameter.

Abstract: There is provided a process for growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone. The process includes treating an operative carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed so as to effect production of a carbon dioxide-rich product material. The carbon dioxide concentration of the carbon dioxide-rich product material is greater than the carbon dioxide concentration of the operative carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed. Production of at least a fraction of the operative carbon dioxide supply-comprising gaseous material feed is effected by a gaseous exhaust material producing process. At least a fraction of the carbon dioxide-rich product material is supplied to the reaction zone so as to effect growth of the phototrophic biomass by photosynthesis in the reaction zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ferrule boot for mounting in a multi-fiber ferrule. The ferrule boot may include a body member that has a distal end and a proximal end. The body member may define a plurality of openings that extend lengthwise therethrough with each opening being configured for receiving a respective one of a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: There is provided a process for growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone, wherein the reaction zone includes a reaction mixture that is operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation, wherein the reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass that is operative for growth within the reaction zone. The process includes supplying at least a fraction of gaseous exhaust material, being discharged from an industrial process, to the reaction zone, exposing the reaction mixture to photosynthetically active light radiation and effecting growth of the phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone, wherein the effected growth includes growth effected by photosynthesis, and modulating distribution of a molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide, being exhausted from the reaction zone, as between a smokestack and at least another point of discharge.