Fiber Holding Blocks - THORLABS Vytran GPX3400 User Manual

GPX3400 and GPX3600 Glass Processors Chapter 3: Description

3.4.2. Fiber Holding Blocks

The fiber handlers are used for holding, positioning and moving the fibers during the various processes
implemented on the a glass processor workstation. The GPX3400 and GPX3600 fiber handlers that can align
fibers prior to splicing. Fiber XY alignment can be performed using either the edges of the fibers, or their cores.
The GPX3400 and GPX360 fiber handlers can also perform a rotary alignment. Rotary alignment is useful for
aligning the stress members of PM fibers, for aligning the cores of eccentric core fiber, and for aligning surface
features of non-circular fiber.
GPX3400 and GPX3600 Fiber Holding Blocks
The GPX3400 and GPX3600 fiber holding blocks can rotate each fiber up to 200°. This is primarily used for
aligning stress members of PM fibers, but can also be used to align the cores of eccentric core fibers. It can also
be used to align surface features on fibers that are not round.
Rotary Fiber Holding Block
Fiber Holder Inserts
Different sized bottom V-grooves and top inserts are available for various coating fiber diameters. For available
insert sizes, please see the selection chart in Chapter 7. In addition to the standard sizes, custom inserts may be
specially designed for various applications. Contact Thorlabs for more information.
Figure 3 Bottom (Left) and Top (right) Fiber Holding Block Inserts
Rev B, July 24, 2017 Page 9