FIBER OPTIC NETWORK

Splicing Methods
• Single Fiber Splicing: Traditional single fiber splicing.
• Cladding Alignment (V-Groove) Technology: This method utilizes a fixed V-groove system that relies on the concentricity of the outside diameter of the fibers cladding to align the fibers along the X-axis and Y-axis. The splicer performs Z-axis alignment only, commonly called fixed V-groove.
• Core Alignment Technology: This splicing process utilizes various methods to align the fibers. It uses a system that allows precisely controlled motors to move the fibers along their X- (horizontal), Y- (vertical) and Z- (in and out) axes until they are aligned. This alignment system senses the fiber’s core by detecting the refraction of light created at the core-cladding interface. Images are taken in two orthogonal planes so that the core can be precisely located. The fusion splicer utilizes a V-groove to hold the fibers in place and moves the V-groove along both the X & Y axis until the cores are aligned in both views.
• Ribbon Fiber Splicing: Mass 12-Fiber Ribbon splicing. Instead of fusing a single fiber at a time, mass fusion splicing can fuse up to 12 fibers in one ribbon at once. Cables made today with high fiber count involve sub-units of 12 fibers each that are ribbonized. Splicing of these fibers individually is time consuming; Mass fusion splicers splice entire ribbons simultaneously, which saves time on large projects.