GPX3800 and GPX3850 Glass Processors
Chapter 5: Operation
Page 36
TTN047534-D02
The final tab within the Taper Properties window, shown in Figure 17 is entitled “Taper Load Positions.” This tab
allows the user to specify the starting positions of the fiber holding blocks and the furnace before the tapering
process begins. Note that during tapering, the furnace is usually stationary, and the fiber holding blocks move to
the left. Thus, the left fiber holding block can start very close to the furnace, but the right fiber holding block must
be far enough away from the furnace so as to guarantee that it will not crash into it during tapering. So to avoid a
crash, you simply take the overall length of your taper and multiply by 1000 to determine the distance in
micrometers that the right fiber holding block needs to move. This is a very safe value because the right fiber
holding block moves less than the total taper length. The anti-backlash mechanism compensates for any fiber
holding block movement so the last move before the taper is in the direction of the taper.
Figure 17
Taper Load Positions
CAUTION: HOT SURFACE
The filament and furnace assembly can become extremely hot upon execution of a taper so it must be
handled with caution. The GPXWCS Liquid Cooling System is highly recommended for tapering
applications. Allowthe furnace a few minutes to cool between each taper fabrication.
