Abstract: A cassette for preparing an end face of an optical fiber includes a housing that defines a window, and a supply reel and a take up reel disposed within the housing. The cassette also has a preparatory tape, advancing between the supply reel and the take us reel, for preparing the end face of the optical fiber. In addition, the cassette includes means for directing the tape by the window defined by the housing such that the tape contacts and prepares the end face of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for inspecting an end face of an optical fiber. The apparatus includes a memory device for storing images of acceptable end faces and unacceptable end faces, and an imaging system for obtaining an image of the end face of the optical fiber. Further, the apparatus includes a means, responsive to said imaging system, for comparing the image of the end fare of the optical fiber with the images of acceptable end faces and unacceptable end faces to automatically determine if the optical fiber is acceptable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An article (10), has a first article portion (12), a second article portion (14), and a fastener (36). The fastener secures the first article portion to the second article portion and includes at least one first fastener component (70), which is attached to the first portion of the article. A cooperating, second fastener component (72) is mechanically interengageable with the first fastener component (70) and is attached to the second portion of the article (14). The first fastener component (70) includes a plurality of engagement members (56) having a first quantity of engageable stalk members (94).