A modern technique for joining two fiber optic cables together by applying heat is called fusion splicing. By placing the fibers in the right configuration to fix them, a fusion splicing machine will make grafting of cables simple and accurate. Broken fiber cable is joined in such a way that the machine can identify the place accurately and then adjust the perfect matching of the optic cable to blend them together properly. Such a machine is known as a splicing machine.
Steps for using the splicing machine
Preparing the fiber
Preparing the fiber for the fusion splicer is the first stage in the fusion splicing process. You have to remove the coating, jacket, and tube from the fiber to prepare it. Make sure that only the bare fiber is left.
Remove the polymer layer that surrounds the inner glass fiber and outer sheathing. The exposed glass needs to be cleaned with alcohol before being mounted on the device. A tidy setting is necessary for a strong relationship.
Cleave the fiber
The fiber is then cleaved in the next phase by cutting using the score and break technique to ensure that its ends are precisely flat, smooth and parallel to its axis.The stripped fiber must be thoroughly cleaned with isopropanol or another comparable fiber cleaning solution before cutting it. Each fiber end is examined under a microscope to determine its quality.
Alignment and Fusion
Alignment and fusion make up the third step. Two fiber optic splicers are carefully positioned till there are no, very little, or no gaps where they are not aligned. Both ends of the fiber optic cable are cleaned by the fusion splicer.
The intense sparks melt the ends and eliminates any water or dust puddles that may have formed there. The cable end is then melted by the main spark produced by the fusion splicer, fusing the two cables together. Make sure to use extreme caution so that only the core and not the exterior cladding melts.
Protecting the fiber
After successfully joking the fibers, the fused fiber must be protected by reapplying a coating or by employing a splice protector.
To avoid breakage and damage from the outside, you can bind the splice with mechanical crimp protectors, or heat shrink plastic.
Advantages of The Splicing Machine
- The modest size of the splice is also a result of fusion splicing. This improves the fiber’s overall mechanical strength while also reducing weight, which are important qualities for splicing.
- This technique is not too expensive and is quite easy to use.
- Long-distance transfer of optical or light impulses uses the splicing of optical fiber cable.
- When light is transmitted, less back reflection is lost.
- Provides connectors that are both permanent and semi-permanent between the two optical fiber lines.
- Both single-mode and multimode optical fiber lines can use this technology.
How to Maintain a Splicing Machine
Along with thoroughly cleaning the entire fusion splicer, you must pay close attention to the electrodes and position them correctly. You must replace any broken parts right away.
There is undoubtedly a heat balance mechanism in these machines. By doing this, the end product is shielded from moisture and other pollutants. Another solution is to utilize clip-on guards. However, this area needs special consideration.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to properly use a splicing machine, its advantages and how to maintain it, getting one should no longer be a problem to you. Even if you’ve never used a splicing machine, the article gives a proper overview of the steps.
