Thermal removing the primary coating layer from the fiber optic surface

The article describes a new technology of thermal removal of the acrylic coating layer from optical fibers. Based on the analysis of the results of thermo-gravimetric tests, the decomposition temperature of the acrylic layer was determined, and then, knowing the optical and geometric parameters of optical fibers, a prototype of a device for the automatic removal of the protective layer from the terminal of optical fibers was built. The designed control system and the prototype of the device, which consists of a 6-axis robot, vision system and regulators, were presented. The efficiency of the proposed method and the device made was compared with the existing systems. It has been shown that it will be possible to remove acrylic layers much faster than before, while maintaining very good quality of optical fibers. Due to these advantages, the presented technology can be successfully used in industrial lines intended in the fiber optic connectorization process.

Automated summary

The article introduces a new technology for thermal removal of the acrylic coating layer from optical fibers, determining the decomposition temperature of the coating and designing a prototype device for automatic removal of protective layers from optical fibers terminals. The efficiency of the proposed method and device is compared with existing systems, showing faster removal of acrylic layers while maintaining good quality of optical fibers.