PTR306 / PTR306B Recoaters with Linear Proof Testers
Chapter 6: Controlling the PTR306/PTR306B
Page 18
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Loading the Fiber
Fiber guides are mounted on each side of the fiber holding block inserts to aid in loading the fiber into the fiber
folding blocks. Vacuum to the fiber holding blocks is automatically turned on when one of the holding tops is raised.
Make sure that the fiber holding block inserts are sized correctly for the fiber to be recoated. The size, in µm, is
labeled on the outside surface of the fiber guides.
To position a fiber for recoating, use the following procedures:
1. Raise the recoat top and both holding block tops.
2. Make sure both quartz plates are clean and that the injection port has enough UV material for the recoat
(Manual Injection) or that the injection system is purged (PTR306/PTR306B).
3. Hold the section of fiber to be recoated straight between two hands, making sure not to touch the exposed
section of fiber (a total separation of approximately 8 inches is a convenient distance).
4. Lower the fiber into both sets of fiber guides until the fiber sits on the rubber inserts.
5. Make sure the stripped section of fiber is centered left-to-right in the recoat mold and close one of the fiber
holding block tops. A free finger can be used to flip the top closed as the rubber inserts will not damage the
coating.
6. Make sure that the fiber is taut between the holding fixtures and lower the second holding top. The fiber
should be held in line with the recoat mold channel.
7. Lower the recoat top gently, then lift the lifting lever to capture the fiber within the mold cavity.
It is important to keep the fiber taut between the holding fixtures to prevent the fiber from bowing at the recoat. It is
also important to avoid touching the exposed glass surface as this could significantly lower the strength of the fiber.
Care should therefore be taken when positioning the fiber in the holding blocks to avoid rubbing the exposed section
of fiber against the mold assembly. If proper care is taken when positioning the fiber, the recoat process will not
degrade the strength of the fiber.
Recoating (Manual Injection System)
Once the fiber has been captured in the recoat mold
assembly, the injection plunger should be turned clockwise to
inject the UV acrylate material into the mold cavity. The
material will flow from the injection port, down a shallow
channel, into the recoat cavity. The plunger should be turned
slowly to give the material time to flow smoothly along the
injection path.
Use the viewport in the recoat top to watch the material flow
into the mold. Continue turning the plunger until the acrylate
material reaches both coating interfaces of the exposed
section of fiber. A slight migration of the acrylate material
outside of the injection path between the two mold plates can
be expected. The bottom mold plate has an optical coating
that prevents this material from curing and forming a
characteristic mold flashing. Excessive flashing flow indicates
that the plates did not mate flush together. This is generally
caused by dirt particles on the mold plates and/or by trying to
recoat a fiber that has a larger coating diameter than the
recoat mold.
Figure 13 Manual Recoat Injection
Summary of Contents for PTR306
Page 1: ...PTR306 PTR306B Manual Fiber Recoater with Linear Proof Tester User Guide...
Page 39: ...PTR306 PTR306B Recoaters with Linear Proof Testers Chapter 10 Appendix Page 36 TTN090913 D02...
Page 41: ...PTR306 PTR306B Recoaters with Linear Proof Testers Chapter 10 Appendix Page 38 TTN090913 D02...
Page 43: ...PTR306 PTR306B Recoaters with Linear Proof Testers Chapter 10 Appendix Page 40 TTN090913 D02...
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