Loading The Fiber - THORLABS Vytran LDC401 User Manual

LDC401 & LDC401A Automated Cleavers
7.5.

Loading the Fiber

To load the fiber for cleaving:
1. Make sure that the correct Cleave File (Fiber File) and/or process parameters are selected for the fiber to
be cleaved (see Chapter 9). In the first instance the critical parameters can be estimated using the Auto
Parameter Tool in the Tablet Controller.
2. If the FHB lids are closed, loosen the thumbscrews, press the lifting levers down to release the clamping
force and open the lids. The internal vacuum pump will turn on for up to 30 seconds to aid in loading fibers.
If the FHB lids are already open, the internal vacuum pump can be initiated by either pressing the blue
START button or by fully closing and then re-opening the left-hand FHB lid.
3. Check that the correct FHB inserts (top and bottom) are installed and that they are free from fiber and/or
coating debris. Position the fiber in the left-hand FHB V-groove with the stripped (discard) end positioned
in the right-hand V-groove.
Figure 14
4. Check that the lifting levers are in the downward position and carefully lower the left-hand FHB lid.
5. With the lifting lever in the downward position the lid will not contact the fiber and the fiber is still free to
move. Set the Cleave Length by positioning the fiber such that the coating-to-glass interface is aligned
with the desired graduation on the Ruler Block. Once the fiber is positioned properly, raise the left-hand
lever to clamp the fiber.
Damage to the diamond blade may occur if an attempt is made to cleave a coated section of fiber;
make sure that the fiber is stripped down to bare glass and is cleaned thoroughly at the point where
6. With the fiber securely clamped in the left-hand FHB, check that the free end of the fiber is positioned in
the right-hand V-groove, and then carefully lower the right-hand FHB lid. Raise the right-hand lever to clamp
the fiber.
7. If cleaving fibers with cladding diameters larger than 400 µm or fibers with very slippery coatings, the
thumbscrews on the FHB lids may need to be tightened for increased clamping force and reduced chance
of fiber slippage during tensioning. If the thumbscrews are not required, they may be kept out of the way by
threading them backwards into the lids or by removing them completely.
8. The fiber is now ready to be cleaved.
Page 14
Positioning a Fiber in the Left-Hand FHB V-Groove
CAUTION
the blade will contact the fiber.
Chapter 7: Cleaving
TTN100064-D02