Optical Fiber Fusion Splicer is a kind of precision instrument and equipment that integrates mechanical, optical, electronic and other technologies. It has high requirements on the environment and standardized operation. However, as a tool with the highest frequency in the optical fiber splicing process, it often works in a relatively harsh environment. Therefore, daily cleaning is very important for fiber fusion splicer operators.
Preparation of tools and materials: cotton swabs, pointed cotton swabs
1.Machine cleaning and dust removal
Generally, a large special rag is used to clean the dust and grease on the surface of the machine with the dust cover closed. For special parts that are difficult to clean, such as the grooves around the dust cover, use a large cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean.
After cleaning the whole machine, clean the furnace. Use a large cotton swab dipped in alcohol on the presser feet on both sides of the heating furnace to clean the upper and lower contact positions of the optical fibers. Inside the furnace body, it is generally sufficient to remove foreign matter with steam blowing.
2.Cleaning of the core parts of the optical fiber fusion splicer
This part includes fixtures, presser feet, V-grooves that are in contact with the fiber, as well as lenses for fiber imaging, mirrors, electrodes for discharge, etc.
First of all, you can turn over the optical fiber fusion splicer with the dust cover open with one hand, and use a steam blower to blow away dust, fiber residues and other garbage.
2.1 Cleaning of fixture and presser foot
The clamp and the presser foot are in direct contact with the fiber, and dust, grease, etc. are easily adhered during daily use, resulting in problems such as the fiber clamp is not tight or the position is deviated.
Specific operation method: use a large cotton swab dipped in alcohol on the fixture to clean the upper and lower contact positions of the optical fiber, and gently wipe the presser foot with a large cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
The arrow points to the part to be cleaned
2.2 Cleaning of the V-groove
If there are foreign objects in the V-groove, the position of the optical fiber will be deviated, so that the optical fiber cannot be spliced normally or the splicing loss is large.
The steps to clean the V-groove are as follows:
1) First blow off the dust with the steam blower delivered;
2) Use a pointed cotton swab dipped in alcohol to swipe from the middle of the V-shaped groove to both sides, and repeat several times;
3) After the alcohol is dry, use a steam blower to blow off the dust.
4) If the optical fiber fusion splicer has been used for a long time or there are foreign objects that are difficult to remove on the V-groove, it can also be cleaned with the help of optical fibers.
The method is: remove the coating layer of the optical fiber and clean it (alcohol), and use the head of the optical fiber to gently push from the middle to both sides along the V-groove to push out the foreign matter. Then use steam blower to blow dust on the V-shaped groove, and it can be repeated many times to ensure the effect.
Note: Do not touch the electrode tip during cleaning, use moderate force when cleaning, and do not use hard objects (such as blades) to clean the V-groove, so as not to damage the V-groove.
2.2 Cleaning of CCD lens and mirror
Usually, the optical fiber fusion splicer observes the optical fiber through the imaging of two CCDs arranged at a right angle, and the front of the CCD is a lens with a focusing function. If the lens is dirty or dusty, the fusion splicer cannot observe the optical fiber normally, resulting in failure to splicing or increased splicing loss.
In general daily use, you only need to use a steam blower to blow off the dust attached to the lens. The cleaning process of the lens is as follows:
1) Turn off the power of the fusion splicer and open the windproof cover;
2) Remove the electrodes on both sides;
3) Gently wipe the lens of the microscope with a thin cotton swab dipped in alcohol (wiping outward from the middle spiral), changing the cotton swab every time.
4) Then wipe off the remaining alcohol with a clean dry cotton swab (the operation method is the same as above), observe the microscope lens, and confirm that it is clean and free of dirt.
5) After the optical fiber fusion splicer is turned on, do a dust inspection (the method is described in another article) to confirm that the lens is clean.
Note: Do not touch the electrodes when cleaning, and do not touch the lens with hard objects.
The mirror is located on the dust cover, and the cleaning method is similar to the above. Most of the new fiber fusion splicers (such as the U3) now feature a more reliable mirrorless design.
2.3 Cleaning the electrode rod
The electrode is an important part of the Optical Fiber Fusion Splicer , and impurities will adhere to the surface due to long-term use, which will affect the discharge effect. Therefore, the electrode needs to be cleaned regularly.
The specific operations are as follows:
1) First make sure to operate in a shutdown state;
2) Gently wipe the tip of the electrode with a thin cotton swab dipped in alcohol;