THORLABS ULTRAsplice Detailed Installation & Theory

1) Open Individually wrapped plastic bag. When opening the bag, please make
certain that the ULTRAsplice does not fall into any dirt, or similar form of
contaminant. This will effect the quality performance of the splice.
After the ULTRAsplice has been removed, DO NOT twist either side of the gray
locking nut without reading this installation sheet in its' entirety. DO NOT TWIST
THE LOCKING NUT CLOSED WITHOUT FIBER INSTALLED.
2) Start Preparation of Fiber Ends. In order for the ULTRAsplice to work
properly, the key factor is the cleave quality and length. We recommend the use
of an adjustable cleaver for cleaving the fiber. The fiber should be cleaved to
about a seven (7) millimeter length. Any longer (more than 9 millimeters), the
fiber will pass through the glass capillary, and the other side will not be able to
be inserted.
Clean both ends of the fiber you intend to use with general rubbing alcohol and a Tex Wipe Pad, then cleave the end(s) to the
proper length of about 7 millimeters. Place prepared fiber(s) in a safe location, away from unsanitary conditions.
clockwise direction until the "bone colored" insert slightly moves back and forth. This action assures that the Collet (bone colored
insert) is completely open, and is ready to accept the larger diameter buffer.
HINT: You should only have to twist the gray locking nut about ½ turn to achieve the correct size required for 900 micron buffers.
As a rule of "thumb", if your thumb is on top of the gray locking nut, it should end up on the bottom.
THEORY: The gray locking nut and collet have the same mechanical
workings as an ordinary hand drill. When the gray locking nut is twisted
in the counter clockwise direction (left), the internal collet "opens" in
order for larger diameter buffer sizes to be accommodated. When
twisting the gray locking nut towards the clockwise direction (right), it
"closes" the internal collet onto the buffer, this action "grabs" the buffer
(NOT THE FIBER) and has an average of 2.2 pounds of fiber retention.
Twist the gray locking nut hand tight, until it cannot be easily twisted
any further.
Detailed Installation & Theory of ULTRAsplice
2343-D01 Rev A 1/09/98
Page 1 of 3
3) Prepare the ULTRAsplice for use. The ULTRAsplice comes pre-
adjusted for 250 micron buffers, any other buffer sizes WILL WORK
after properly setting the gray locking nut position. Please note that the
directions apply to either end of the ULTRAsplice, since they are
equivalent in the mechanics.
a) If working with 250 micron buffers, DO NOT TWIST
THE GRAY LOCKING NUT AT ALL, the ULTRAsplice
has been set to accomodate the buffer size during factory
assembly.
b) If working with OVER 500 micron buffers, proceed as
follows:
i) Remove the Blue Tube
ii) Open the Gray Locking Nut In the counter