Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for assembling an array of optical fibers in a substrate. The method comprises forming a series of parallel V-shaped grooves in the top surface of the substrate placing the substrate on a base plate positioning an upper plate in spaced apart relationship with the substrate so as to form channels between the upper plate and the V-shaped grooves. A vacuum is then applied at one end of the channel formed between the upper plate and the V-shaped grooves, and optical fibers are then sequentially fed into each of the V-shaped grooves and are drawn into the grooves to a stop at the other end thereof. The fibers are then bonded to the substrate.