Sticklers' fiber-optic cleaning line has been expanded with the addition of the CleanWipes 640 optical-grade cleaning wipes. Per the company, "This ruggedized product delivers perfectly clean optical fiber at the lowest possible cost-per-cleaning. The CleanWipes 640 wipes are engineered for both cleaning bare fiber before fusion splicing and for cleaning fiber end-faces."
The CleanWipes 640 product is an update to the CleanWipes 400 cleaning tool. According to Sticklers, "techs will appreciate the subtle improvements included in this product. To start, the cleaning capacity has been increased 640, a jump of over 60%. The wipes are dispensed ready-to-use; no assembly is required. The wipes are packaged in a rugged plastic-box that ensures wipes maintain high performance cleaning, even when used in the punishing wet or dusty conditions often found in field-service environments."
The CleanWipes 640 package has eight CleanSwipe cleaning slots (up from four) which enable techs to perform many cleanings on the same piece of fabric without re-using any part of the wipe. By wiping end-faces in the CleanSwipe slots fingerprints, oils, grime, polishing compounds, dust and lint are swept away. "A single pass is all it takes for perfectly clean connectors," adds the company. "The cleaning slots feature a tighter pitch (closer spacing) than the previous product, so the new package can clean duplex connectors; avoiding time-wasting disassembly. The slots also are color-coded using the TIA-598-D scheme, which is widely recognized in the industry and is a helpful memory aid. The inner box has an improved static-dissipative lining which eliminates static-generated contamination."
The company adds that "the CleanWipes 640 uses a unique, 'high-modulus' fabric wiping fabric, not paper. This high-tech material out-performs cheap paper wipes made with cellulose and glue, and it also resists shredding even when cleaning LC connectors. These wipes also have a capability to dissipate electrostatic charges that cellulose wipes cannot match. The soft but strong CleanWipe fabric is ideal for both cleaning fiber optic connector end-faces as well as bare fiber prior to cleaving and splicing. This multipurpose wipe also perfectly clean lenses, mirrors, diffraction gratings, prisms and test equipment. All this new packaging and technology ensures end-users always get the best cleaning at the lowest possible cost. Using U.S. pricing as a benchmark, the expected cost-per-cleaning is 2.8¢ per connector."
The new Sticklers CleanWipes 640 will be shipping September 15. Pre-release samples are currently available from MicroCare. The part number is #MCC-WCS640. The previous product, the WCS400, will be available while supplies last.