Polishing Machine for Bare Fibers

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Polishing machines are used to process bare optical fibers. There are two types of machines available.

• Polishing planar fiber ends with and without an angle
• Polishing machines for shaped fiber ends

Polishing Planar Fiber Ends – 0° or Angled

The "End & Edge Polisher" is a polishing machine with which the even end surfaces of optical fibers are polished – and at short processing times. The calibration function of this machine is responsible for consistent quality. The speed, time, and movement of the polishing head are controlled. The process controls also display when polishing has ended.

The fiber mounts are inserted into the system with the help of a quick-release mechanism which facilitates a stable and repeatable insertion into the system. Standard mounts are available for glass ferrules, capillaries, and of course for bare fibers, with which angles between 0° and 12° can be polished. An overview of all mounts can be taken from the datasheet (see below).

Polishing of Fibers with Shaped End Surfaces

The design of shaped end surfaces on optical fibers can be achieved using special polishing machines. So-called “fiber lensing systems” are required in particular in sensor and medical technology.

These systems now deliver a concentricity of a few micrometers: This makes it possible to divide a 9 µm single-mode fiber core in half reliably! The polishing machine uses a lapping tool with a diameter of 5 inches: At this size, the best yield can be produced at the lowest usage of consumable items.

The following end surfaces can be shaped, for example:

• Tips at large or small angles
• Fiber ends with a chisel or screwdriver shape
• Fiber ends with sloped edges
• Smooth ends