Fusion Splicer Automatically Corrects Improper Fiber Placement
The Fujikura 100R Mass Fusion Splicer, the latest addition to AFL’s splicing portfolio, provides an intelligent alignment control system that “automatically adapts fiber alignments to actual fiber conditions,” the company explains, allowing the splicer “to deliver a consistent splice quality while reducing operator intervention and rework.”
The new splicer introduces Auto Placement Correction capability, which automatically detects and corrects fibers that are improperly seated in the V-groove prior to fusion. “By automatically adjusting the Z-stages to ensure precise fiber placement, Auto Fiber Fit reduces splice variability and minimizes manual intervention,” AFL explained when announcing it now offers this splicer.
“Gap Alignment Correction virtually eliminates the endface gap variation across fibers, a common source of error in previous models,” AFL continued. “By continuously adjusting alignment until the target range is met, the 100R improves splice uniformity and consistency while completing the correction in as little as one second. Axis Offset Correction reduces fiber axis position offsets across all fibers prior to fusion.”
Megha Garlapati, AFL product line manager, commented, “The 100R represents a meaningful step forward in mass fusion splicing. By automatically correcting fiber placement, gap alignment, and axis offset before fusion, the system delivers more-uniform splices while maintaining rapid cycle times, regardless of operator experience or fiber condition.”
In addition to the automated pre-fusion correction capabilities, the 100R offers an automated wind protector and tube heater, user-replaceable V-grooves, a 5-inch GUI touchscreen, and a multifunction transit case with an integrated workstation. AFL says the splicer is ideally suited for applications including fiber cable installation in data centers and high-fiber-count campus and metro networks, repair and installation in long-haul networks, trunk-cable repair with splice-on MPO connectors, and ribbon splicing high-density cables with 200-micron loose fiber.