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Splicing machines, or fusion splicing machines, are another name for these types of devices. A fusion splicer is a piece of equipment that is utilized in the process of joining (or fusing) two optical fibers together. This procedure is referred to as fusion splicing, which is a word that characterizes the process.
The fiber ends are ready for use once they have been prepared, sliced, and positioned within the alignment fixtures of the fusion splicer. This completes the process. When a button is pressed, electrodes are heated, which causes the fiber ends to become molten and join together. A splicing machine can be helpful in many ways.
How does it work?
Before fusion-splicing, optical fibers must be meticulously removed from their external jackets with polymer coating, cleaned, and precisely split to generate uniform, symmetrical end faces. After this, each fiber is inserted in a splicer enclosure holder. The fiber optic fusion splicer completes the last three steps:
Alignment
The fusion splicer uses tiny, precise motors to align the fibers so the resulting splice is seamless and attenuation-free. The fiber optic technician uses an optical power meter, camera system, or monitoring scope to view the fiber alignment during alignment.
Fusion
After properly positioning fibers and burning out moisture and dust, fuse the fiber ends to establish a permanent splice. A second, bigger spark from the splicer melts the optical fiber end faces without mixing the covering and molten glass core. The completed fusion splice is created by joining the fiber tips that have been melted together. Most fiber fusion splices have 0.1 dB or less optical loss after estimated splice-loss studies.
Burn-Off
Fusion splicing requires extreme cleanliness since even the smallest dust particle can disrupt optical signal transmission. Despite hand-cleaning fibers before inserting them into the splice device, most fusion splicers emit a brief spark between the fiber ends before fusing to burn off dust or moisture.
Uses of different splicing machines
Fusion splicing machines come in various models, each with unique features, capabilities, and prices. As a result, you must do your homework before making any choices. Herein are detailed descriptions of various fusion slicers’ fiber alignment technologies.
- Optical fiber core alignment fusion splicers, also known as “profile alignment,” employ several cameras to look at the two separated fibers before fusing them back together. Core-aligned splicers are high-end machines that let users save individual programs or recipes in which one may finely adjust variables like splice temperature and time.
- Simpler fusion splicers use clad alignments to position the fibers properly. The fibers are “physically” aligned according to their cladding diameters, sitting in a clamp or V-groove. These splicing units depend on the glass geometric characteristics and tolerances of the joined fibers. On the other hand, clad alignment splicers feature several cameras but only permit the fiber to be moved along a single axis. A permanent v-groove helps alignment.
- The emergence of portable, battery-operated fusion splicers was a game-changer in the splicing industry. These common gadgets are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but powerful enough to compete with stationary models.
