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: A fabrication carrier for fiber optic connectors defines a body configured to removably hold a plurality of fiber optic ferrules. The body allows each of the fiber optic ferrules to be movable along its axis under a bias when the ferrules are mounted to the body. The body can be coupled to a polishing plate for use with a ferrule polishing apparatus in a polishing step. Coupling of the body to the polishing plate allows each of the ferrules to at least partially protrude past a bottom face of the polishing plate for contact with the polishing apparatus. The body of the fabrication carrier is configured as a fixture that can be used in at least one additional fabrication step aside from the polishing step when not mounted to the polishing plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fusion splicing an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of mechanically stripping a coating layer from the optical fiber to form a bare fiber end and inserting the bare fiber end of the optical fiber into a resistive heating element structure to remove residual coating from a cladding layer. The resistive heating element structure shapes a severed end of the coating layer such that the severed end is fully within a cylindrical envelope defined by a non-disturbed portion of the coating layer. The method further includes a step of loading the optical fiber into an alignment groove of a fiber alignment fixture such that the shaped severed end of the optical fiber is in contact with the alignment groove. The method includes a step of fusion splicing the bare fiber end of the optical fiber to a cable fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fusion splicing an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of mechanically stripping a coating layer from the optical fiber to form a bare fiber end and inserting the bare fiber end of the optical fiber into a resistive heating element structure to remove residual coating from a cladding layer. The resistive heating element structure shapes a severed end of the coating layer such that the severed end is fully within a cylindrical envelop defined by a non-disturbed portion of the coating layer. The method further includes a step of loading the optical fiber into an alignment groove of a fiber alignment fixture such that the shaped severed end of the optical fiber is in contact with the alignment groove. The method includes a step of fusion splicing the bare fiber end of the optical fiber to a cable fiber.