Apparatus for automated preparation of an optical fiber

Abstract

An automated fiber preparation system and method for automatically fabricating an optical fiber. One or more fabrication processes associated with fiber preparation may be performed on an optical fiber without requiring active user input. The fiber preparation system may be configured to automatically carry out each of the process steps for fabricating an optical fiber pigtail. The fiber preparation system may include a fiber preparation module that is configured to automatically prepare one or both ends of an optical fiber in anticipation of one or more subsequent manufacturing processes involving the fiber.

1 . An automated fiber preparation apparatus for an optical fiber, comprising: 
 a transporter having an upstream end and a downstream end, the transporter being constructed and arranged to automatically and simultaneously index a plurality of trays to a plurality of process stations in a direction from the upstream end toward the downstream end in response to a control signal, each of the plurality of trays being configured to hold an optical fiber;    a strip tool positioned at one of the plurality of process stations between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter, the strip tool being constructed and arranged to automatically strip coating from an end portion of the optical fiber in response to a control signal; and    a cleave tool positioned at one of the plurality of process stations between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter, the cleave tool being constructed and arranged to automatically cleave the end portion of the optical fiber in response to a control signal.    
   
   
       2 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cleave tool is positioned between the strip tool and the downstream end of the transporter.  
   
   
       3 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cleaning tool positioned at one of the plurality of process stations between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter, the cleaning tool being constructed and arranged to automatically clean the end portion of the optical fiber in response to a control signal.  
   
   
       4 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the cleaning tool is positioned between the strip tool and the downstream end of the transporter.  
   
   
       5 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spooling tool positioned between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter, the spooling tool being constructed and arranged to automatically wind, in response to a control signal, the optical fiber into a coiled fiber that includes at least one coil of fiber with the end portion of fiber extending from the at least one coil.  
   
   
       6 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the spooling tool is constructed and arranged to place the coiled fiber onto each of the trays.  
   
   
       7 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the spooling tool is positioned between the upstream end of the transporter and the strip tool.  
   
   
       8 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a ferrule attachment tool positioned between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter, the ferrule attachment tool being constructed and arranged to automatically attach a ferrule to the end portion of the optical fiber in response to a control signal.  
   
   
       9 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the ferrule attachment tool is positioned between the cleave tool and the downstream end of the transporter.  
   
   
       10 . An automated fiber preparation apparatus for an optical fiber, comprising: 
 a transporter having an upstream end and a downstream end, the transporter being constructed and arranged to automatically index a tray, which is configured to hold the optical fiber, to a plurality of process stations in a direction from the upstream end toward the downstream end in response to a control signal, wherein the transporter is configured to support the tray from below and to index the tray in a linear direction while supporting the tray from below;    a strip tool positioned at one of the plurality of process stations between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter, the strip tool being constructed and arranged to automatically strip coating from an end portion of the optical fiber in response to a control signal; and    a cleave tool positioned at one of the plurality of process stations between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter, the cleave tool being constructed and arranged to automatically cleave the end portion of the optical fiber in response to a control signal.    
   
   
       11 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the transporter includes a walking beam.  
   
   
       12 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fiber placement tool that is constructed and arranged to reposition the end portion of the fiber on each of the trays in response to a control signal.  
   
   
       13 . The fiber preparation apparatus according to  claim 1 , in combination with the plurality of trays.  
   
   
       14 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the trays has an outer perimeter, each of the trays being constructed and arranged to retain at least one end portion of the optical fiber extending outwardly beyond the outer perimeter.  
   
   
       15 . A method of automatically preparing a length of optical fiber, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing the length of optical fiber;    (b) automatically stripping an end portion of the optical fiber;    (c) automatically cleaving the end portion of the optical fiber; and    (d) automatically transporting the optical fiber from the strip tool to the cleave tool.    
   
   
       16 . A method of automatically preparing a length of optical fiber, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing the optical fiber on a tray;    (b) automatically transporting the tray from an upstream end toward a downstream end of a transporter;    (c) automatically processing an end portion of the optical fiber in the tray between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter; and    (d) automatically unloading the tray with the optical fiber contained thereon from the downstream end of the transporter.    
   
   
       17 . A method of automatically preparing a length of optical fiber, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing the optical fiber on a tray, which has an outer perimeter, with at least one end portion of the optical fiber extending outwardly beyond the outer perimeter of the tray in a first orientation;    (b) automatically transporting the tray from an upstream end toward a downstream end of an automated transporter;    (c) automatically processing the end portion of the optical fiber in the tray between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter; and    (d) automatically placing the end portion of the optical fiber within the tray in a second orientation that is different from the first orientation so that the end portion is contained within the outer perimeter of the tray, subsequent to step (c).    
   
   
       18 . A method of automatically preparing a length of optical fiber, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing the optical fiber on a tray with opposing end portions of the optical fiber extending from opposite ends of the tray;    (b) automatically transporting the tray from an upstream end toward a downstream end of an automated transporter; and    (c) automatically processing the end portions of the optical fiber simultaneously in the tray between the upstream end and the downstream end of the transporter.