THORLABS vytran PTR406 User Manual page 42

Fiber Recoaters with Linear Proof Testers
1. Make sure recoat material has been injected up to or beyond the coating interfaces.
2. Activate the cure process to turn on the UV LEDs. The recoat LEDs will shut off automatically after the set
cure time.
3. Raise both fiber holding block tops.
4. Raise the recoat mold top by lifting straight up at the two outside corners of the top. A slight force is
typically required to "pop" the top free.
Note: Do not lift by or exert any force on the injection port.
5. The fiber may remain tacked to either the top or bottom mold plate. In this case, it may be necessary to
gently pull on the fiber to release it. Try to avoid inducing any sharp bend to the fiber.
6. Visually inspect the recoated fiber to make sure the recoat reached both interfaces and that there are no
voids or air bubbles in the recoat. The recoat can be gently wiped with a dry lens tissue to remove any
uncured recoat material or light flashing. Do not wipe the recoat with acetone.
7. Clean both top and bottom mold plates with a soft lint-free lens tissue and/or cotton swab soaked in cleaning
solution.
Note: Acetone is the preferred solution for cleaning the mold plates. Acetone cleans more thoroughly than
alcohol and will also soften and remove cured recoat material. The mold plates can typically be cleaned of
excess uncured recoat material with a single wipe from left to right across both top and bottom plates. Take
care to avoid contact with the uncured recoat material (read Chapter 14.2: Material Data Safety Sheet
before working with recoat material).
Note: The top surface of the bottom mold plate has an optical coating that blocks the UV light. Great care must be
taken not to scratch or abrade this coating. Do not rub any hard objects across the surface of the plates as this
could scratch the optical coating or chip the edges of the mold channel and degrade the quality of the recoat.
Page 38
Chapter 9: Recoat Process
TTN176280-D02