Automatic Loader

Specialists in Mechanical Testing and Reliability of Optical Fibers

Automatic Fiber Loader for the Two-Point Bend Tester

For Unattended Strength and Fatigue Measurement

Purpose

The Automatic Fiber Loader is a compact unit that loads fiber specimens into the two-point bend tester, breaks them and then removes the broken ends and reloads the fiber. Fiber is unwound from a reel for continuous testing – literally thousands of specimens can be tested, all without operator intervention! This equipment makes mechanical testing of fiber very much more cost effective in terms of operator time.

(click the above photographs for bigger images)

Description

A compact unit takes fiber from a reel and inserts specimens into the Two-Point Bend Tester. Features include:

	discards broken specimen and inserts new specimen in under 5 seconds.
	full integration with the 2POINT for Windows control program for automated strength and fatigue measurement.
	controlled by scripting feature inside 2POINT for Windows.
	many parameters can be automatically set for compliance with standard test procedures.
	low friction turntable for holding standard optical fiber reels (25 mm spindle diameter).
	integrates with two-point bend hardware – does not require additional computer interfaces.
	compact unit – 15 × 8 × 7 cm not including fiber reel. Does not substantially increase the footprint of the two-point bend equipment.
	single "V" groove faceplates for accepting a broad range of fiber outer diameters.
	mounting system for connection to two-point bend system.
	all necessary cables and connectors are included.

Scripting System

Experiments are controlled by a script which can be written and edited directly in 2POINT for Windows. The example below is a screen shot from 2POINT which shows part of a script which makes a dynamic fatigue measurement using parameters specified in the ITM-13 standard. The script breaks four fibers, one at each of four loading rates. The sequence in repeated 15 times to generate the 60 measurements needed to calculate the dynamic fatigue parameter. The script implements rapid preloading of the fiber that helps reduce total experiment time. To make such a measurement, the operator puts the end of the fiber into the loader and starts the software. The equipment then makes the complete measurement without further operator intervention.

Limitations

The standard loader (part number LOADER) is designed for use with fibers with a glass diameter of 125 µm and is usable with glass diameters up to around 300 µm.

The "wide" loader (part number LOADER-W) can be used with fibers with a glass diameter up to 600 µm but is usable with glass diameters down to 125 µm.

if you are unsure which version you need for your fiber, please send us a specimen and we will gladly test it and advise which loader version and what shim size to use.

The loader can only be used in non-condensing humid air up to a temperatures of approximately 45ºC. The fiber must be dry.

The loader will not work properly if the polymer coating is very tacky. It may be necessary to reduce the surface tack by covering the coating in a fine powder such as talc.

Options

Shim Sets: The fiber is loaded by threading into the gap between two accurately parallel plates. The gap is maintained by a set of precision shims – the default shim set is suitable for 200 to 400 mm diameter fibers. Other shim sets are available. Specify part number SHIM-x when x is the fiber outer diameter.

Ordering Information

Description	Part #
Automatic Fiber Loader for Two-Point Bend System	LOADER
Wide Automatic Fiber Loader for Two-Point Bend System for fiber diameters up to at least 400 µm	LOADER-W
Extra Wide Automatic Fiber Loader for Two-Point Bend System for fiber diameters up to at least 600 µm	LOADER-XW
Shim sets for fiber outside diameter x mm (please specify a value for x which is about 0.1 mm larger than the largest fiber outside diameter you want to use	SHIM-x