Abstract: Provides a method and a terminus processing tool whereby terminus processing for the purpose of connection to another optical fiber may be carried out simply. The terminus processing method entails cutting an optical fiber 20 composed of a glass fiber 21 and a coating 24; and with the optical fiber 20 positioned relative to a terminus processing tool that is disposed contacting the coating at the end surface of the optical fiber 20 and that has a protruded-into space for accommodating inward protrusion of the glass fiber 21, and with the cut end surface of the glass fiber 21 facing the protruded-into space, pushing the optical fiber 20 to thereby strip the coating 24 from the glass fiber 21.

Abstract: A method for removing a protective coating material from a portion of an optical fiber including a glass optical fiber having an outer surface surrounded by said protective coating material, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a fiber collection and support device having: (a) a coarse conical fiber collector having an input port and (b) a fine fiber centering collector including a fiber tube having an output port, said input port is larger then said output port; (ii) providing the fiber threaded through the course conical collector into the fiber collection tube of the fine fiber centering collector; (iii) contacting the fiber, as it exits from the output port of the fiber collection tube of the fiber collection and support device, with a stream of hot gas; and (iv) directing a stream of a hot gas onto the protective coating material that is to be removed.

Abstract: Laser-based methods of stripping different types of fiber optic cables (100) are disclosed. The method includes directing a focused laser beam (202) onto the cable's protective cover (114). The method also includes moving the fiber optic cable relative to the focused laser beam in a direction substantially along a central axis (AC) to form a substantially axially oriented groove (250) in the protective cover, wherein the groove does not reach one or more optical fibers (110) carried by the cable. The method can further include opening the protective cover at the groove to form a split protective cover portion (114S), and removing the split protective cover portion from the fiber optic cable. Methods of stripping a cable by forming two grooves in the protective cover using two focused laser beams are also disclosed.