Abstract: A injection molding method involves measuring, using at least one strain gauge sensor, a change in strain in a mold side of a mold cavity, approximating a pressure within the mold cavity based on the change in strain, comparing the approximated pressure to a pre-set trigger point, and if the approximated pressure equals or exceeds the pre-set trigger point, activating a virtual cavity sensor having an optimal pre-defined pressure-time curve, wherein upon activation, the virtual cavity sensor tracks approximated pressures calculated from the change in strain measurements measured by the at least one strain gauge sensor over time and compares the results of the approximated pressure tracking to the optimal pre-defined pressure-time curve.

Abstract: A injection molding method involves measuring, using at least one external sensor, a change in a parameter of a mold side of a mold cavity, approximating a condition within the mold cavity based on the change in the parameter, such as pressure within the mold cavity or flow front position, and comparing the approximated condition to a trigger point. If the approximated condition equals or exceeds the trigger point, activating a virtual cavity sensor having an optimal pre-defined pressure-time curve, and upon activation, the virtual cavity sensor tracks an approximated condition calculated from the change in parameter measurements measured by the at least one external sensor over time. In an embodiment, results of the approximated parameter tracking can be used in conjunction with an optimal pre-defined pressure-time curve.

Abstract: A tool for preparing a cable for connectorization. The tool has a portion for stripping a cable jacket and another portion for cutting fibrous strength elements, such as aramid strength elements, relative to the exposed fiber. The strength element cutting portion includes a blade enclosed in a cover that also serves as a handle for the tool. The cover also has a stop edge to ensure that a desired excess length of the strength element remains after cutting the strength element. The excess strength element length can then be used to connectorize the cable.

Abstract: An installation tool for terminating one or more field optical fibers with a fiber optic connector includes a guide member and camming member. The guide member has a slot extending in an axial direction and is configured to receive a portion of the fiber optic connector. The camming member is positioned next to the guide member and is movable between a first position spaced from the slot and a second position axially aligned with the slot. Additionally, the camming member is configured to engage and actuate a cam member of the fiber optic connector by moving from the first position to the second position when the fiber optic connector is received in the slot.

Abstract: A process of forming molded articles using an injection molding apparatus is provided. The process includes providing a thermoplastic material to the injection molding apparatus. The thermoplastic material is heated such that the thermoplastic material is in a molten state. The molten thermoplastic material is injected into at least one mold cavity of the injection molding apparatus using an injection element. A melt pressure of the thermoplastic material filling the at least one mold cavity is monitored using a sensor. The sensor provides a signal indicative of melt pressure in the cavity to a controller. The controller controls the injection element thereby changing melt pressure of the thermoplastic material filling the at least one mold cavity based on the signal to reach a target cavity pressure. A molded article is formed by reducing a mold temperature of the thermoplastic material within the at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: A injection molding method involves measuring, using at least one external sensor, a change in a parameter of a mold side of a mold cavity, approximating a condition within the mold cavity based on the change in the parameter, such as pressure within the mold cavity or flow front position, and comparing the approximated condition to a trigger point,. If the approximated condition equals or exceeds the trigger point, activating a virtual cavity sensor having an optimal pre-defined pressure-time curve, and upon activation, the virtual cavity sensor tracks an approximated condition calculated from the change in parameter measurements measured by the at least one external sensor over time. In an embodiment, results of the approximated parameter tracking can be used in conjunction with an optimal pre-defined pressure-time curve.

Abstract: A injection molding method involves measuring, using at least one strain gauge sensor, a change in strain in a mold side of a mold cavity, approximating a pressure within the mold cavity based on the change in strain, comparing the approximated pressure to a pre-set trigger point, and if the approximated pressure equals or exceeds the pre-set trigger point, activating a virtual cavity sensor having an optimal pre-defined pressure-time curve, wherein upon activation, the virtual cavity sensor tracks approximated pressures calculated from the change in strain measurements measured by the at least one strain gauge sensor over time and compares the results of the approximated pressure tracking to the optimal pre-defined pressure-time curve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stripping tight-buffered optical fibers are disclosed. The apparatus is configured to perform one or more of the functions of stripping a tight buffer layer, removing a coating layer, and cleaving the fiber, in a single motion.

Abstract: An installation tool for terminating one or more field optical fibers with a fiber optic connector includes a guide member and camming member. The guide member has a slot extending in an axial direction and is configured to receive a portion of the fiber optic connector. The camming member is positioned next to the guide member and is movable between a first position spaced from the slot and a second position axially aligned with the slot. Additionally, the camming member is configured to engage and actuate a cam member of the fiber optic connector by moving from the first position to the second position when the fiber optic connector is received in the slot.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stripping tight-buffered optical fibers are disclosed. The apparatus is configured to perform one or more of the functions of stripping a tight buffer layer, removing a coating layer, and cleaving the fiber, in a single motion.

Abstract: A tool for preparing a cable for connectorization. The tool has a portion for stripping a cable jacket and another portion for cutting fibrous strength elements, such as aramid strength elements, relative to the exposed fiber. The strength element cutting portion includes a blade enclosed in a cover that also serves as a handle for the tool. The cover also has a stop edge to ensure that a desired excess length of the strength element remains after cutting the strength element. The excess strength element length can then be used to connectorize the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an angled optical fiber cleaver that is used to cleave optical fibers prior to mechanical splicing and that provides a desired optical fiber endface angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an angled optical fiber cleaver that incorporates a novel retention and rotation clamp assembly that successively engages, securely holds, and rotates an optical fiber prior to cleaving, this rotation providing the desired optical fiber endface angle. Advantageously, the novel retention and rotation and clamp assembly of the present invention is actuated via a single linear button press/release, eliminating the cumbersome steps associated with conventional devices and methodologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an angled optical fiber cleaver that is used to cleave optical fibers prior to mechanical splicing and that provides a desired optical fiber endface angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an angled optical fiber cleaver that incorporates a novel retention and rotation clamp assembly that successively engages, securely holds, and rotates an optical fiber prior to cleaving, this rotation providing the desired optical fiber endface angle. Advantageously, the novel retention and rotation and clamp assembly of the present invention is actuated via a single linear button press/release, eliminating the cumbersome steps associated with conventional devices and methodologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an angled optical fiber cleaver that is used to cleave optical fibers prior to mechanical splicing and that provides a desired optical fiber endface angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an angled optical fiber cleaver that incorporates a novel retention and rotation clamp assembly that successively engages, securely holds, and rotates an optical fiber prior to cleaving, this rotation providing the desired optical fiber endface angle. Advantageously, the novel retention and rotation and clamp assembly of the present invention is actuated via a single linear button press/release, eliminating the cumbersome steps associated with conventional devices and methodologies.