Cleave Tools
Fiber cleave tools for high quality fiber cleaves.
Tools
High quality fiber breaks are the yardstick for fiber optical cleave tools. Further criteria include easy handling, speed, and flexibility. Our standard devices are made for perpendicular and slant (4°-12°) breaks. For the so-called large core fibers we offer a cleave tool that can process fibers with a core diameter of 200 µm to 1500 µm.
INFOCUT
The INFOCUT I.200.3 creates a planar optical fiber facet by inducing a break in the fiber perpendicular to the optical axis. Usually this fiber facet is of higher optical quality than can be achieved by polishing. This universal tool is suitable for all glass and quartz fibers with a core diameter of 200 to 1500 µm. Contrary to other cleave tools the fiber is not bent but torn by a force that is applied perfectly along the axis of the fiber. Prior to this, the fiber is scratched with a high quality diamond.
OFC-2000
The standard device OFC-2000 is suitable for single mode, multi-mode, and polarization-maintaining fibers. The angle accuracy is < 0.5° and the device is available for fiber diameters of 80 µm to 200 µm.
HSTC-2001
This advancement does not hold the "good" side of the fiber in the v-groove with metal brackets but with specially designed brackets that fixate the buffer of the fiber. The advantage here is that the fiber cladding does not cause any micro cracks.
AFC-20xx
With the AFC-20xx slant cleaves can be made with angles between 4° and 14°, depending on the device. The mark "xx" identifies the factory preset angle. Slant cleaves improve the return loss, e.g. an 8° cleave can have a value of <60 dB. The standard deviation of an average 8° angle is 0.3°, which is remarkably low.
Such reliability is achieved by clamping the fiber carefully at the same time that you stretch it. Afterwards, a diamond blade cuts a small notch into the fiber, which then breaks at an angle of 8° in relation to the perpendicular axis. Adjustable and precise distance holders position the fiber for an accurate cut.
HSAFC-20xx
Based on the cleave tools for straight cleaves the HSAFC-20xx is an advancement for angular cleaves. Using special brackets the fiber is fixated more gentle than with the AFC-20xx.
ARFC-W
To cleave fiber ribbons the ARFC-W tool is required. The standard configuration cleaves ribbons with four fibers. The ribbons are held in place by special V-grooves. Cleav tools for more fibers are available upon request.
We have also developed several customized devices for customers who needed either cleavers for large core fibers up to 600 µm or so-called ferrule cleavers for cleaves at the end of ferrules. In the future, ribbon cleavers for fiber bands and MOST cleavers for the so-called MOST cable with 200 µm fibers will also be available.
When used appropriately, the diamond will last for more than 20,000 cleaves.
Inexpensive Cleaving Tools
The diamond blade inside the fiber "cleaving knife" is at least fifty times sharper than the best razor blade.
The same technology used in stationary cleaving tools now comes in pen size. With this cleaving knife fibers can be cut easily and effectively. The fiber breaks cleanly and reliably at the position scratched by the diamond. All it takes is an axial pull. A subsequent treatment of the clean break is very easily done and can even be omitted.
The diamond blade can be hidden in the tip of the tool to prevent you from cutting apart those important documents you just wanted to sign.
