The most critical step In the process of fiber optic cable assembly is assuring high-quality assemblies for meeting specifications is the polishing process. So it becomes very much necessary to choose the right optical fiber polishing pad and polishing fixtures that meet your requirements.
For your company, the quality of the polishing fixtures (also called polishing plates or jigs) is very much important. Keeping in mind the high cost of production equipment and components, your company will need to maintain these tools so that over the long run it can produce a high volume of products with minimal quality issues.
The necessity of Proper maintenance of polishing fixtures
With high-precision machining equipment, the fiber polishing film for optical fiber polishing machines is built. Over time the fixtures made of steel and aluminum can flex and warp, which will hurt your polishing process and product quality. On the other hand, this wear effect is avoided by polishing fixtures that are made of hardened stainless steel. However, the alloy hardened stainless steel contains more iron that will ultimately result in an increased risk of rusting. This is a major reason why proper maintenance is so critical.
Along with the above, with a plastic latch or clamp the most common fiber optic connectors are locked onto the polishing fixture, which over time can wear if not properly cleaned. Proper locking can be prevented by poor cleaning techniques. This can have a major impact on the polishing machine’s functionality and product quality.
Polishing fixtures are quite expensive and this is a reason why proper maintenance is so important. You can use your fiber polishing liquid for a long time with daily maintenance and with no variation in the quality level of your fiber optic cable assemblies.
To monitor the quality of your polishing fixture, monitoring the end-face geometries of polished ferrules is an excellent way.
For example, Changes in Radius can tell you possible poor latching or a worn clamping mechanism. In case this situation occurs and there is no change in the polishing process
then it is the right time to replace the plastic latch or the polishing fixture.
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