The large-diametre splicing (LDS) system is a modularly constructed system used in the processing of optical fibres, bundles, and capillaries. The heart of this system is the ring of fire – a patented three-electrode design used to fuse glass up to 2.5 mm in diametre.

In addition to the splicing of fibres with the same or different outer diametres, the LDS system can also be used to draw tapers, manufacture combiners and mode-field adapters (MFAs), or splice endcaps. Due to the precise control of the arc of light, photonic crystal fibres (PCFs) can likewise be spliced and capillaries collapsed in a targeted manner.

Powerful software supports these different processes. Existing programs that can be easily modified (e.g., for tapering or splicing endcaps) are available for many technologies.

A microscope and fibre cleaver can be integrated into the LDS system on an optional basis to view the end face and cleave the fibre after processing at the desired diametre, respectively. In addition to the translational adjustment axes on both sides, all tilting axes can be integrated. This makes it possible to even more precisely align both objects.