EuroWire January 2018

Technical Article

This assures a perfect fit of optical fibre cables when they are finally installed in subsea cables.

Due to the growing quality requirements on the optical fibre market, there is even a need for devices with a 100 per cent detection rate for faults starting at a length of 50µm on the optical fibre surface. This performance is achieved by increasing the measurement rate ten times. At the same time, the use of six measuring axes eliminates the shadow regions of the three- axis approach. Lumps and neckdowns are categorised and analysed in regard to height, length, amount and position. The lump detectors feature a double sensor technology which ensures high detection reliability. This technology includes a light source and two light sensors (“double”) arranged in a fixed short distance from each other. Lumps and neckdowns are detected by determining the change of light intensity on the sensors. By comparing the amount of light on the first with the second sensor, false detection can be prevented, and thus a reliable detection of faults can be ensured. For example, an optical fibre with a lump runs through the gauge head. Logically, at the position of a lump the optical fibre is bigger. This reduces the amount of light that illuminates the first sensor. At that moment the second sensor still measures the amount of light of the perfect fibre. The differential signal of the two sensors triggers the lump alarm. In combination with a processor system and monitor, all data of the connected gauge heads and lump detectors is processed and visualised numerically and graphically. A special module ensures the continuous control of the diameter by controlling the drawing speed. Alternatively, a hot or cold gauge head is used for controlling (before or after cooling). All measuring devices are equipped with Wi-Fi (WLAN) or with a network interface to enable a network of several lines and even to connect complete production facilities. Furthermore, due to the intelligent recording and analysis of production data, optical fibre manufacturers are able to produce more efficiently and with reproducible quality. High-quality optical fibres that comply with specifications can easily be further processed to optical fibre cables in tight buffering and loose tube lines. Also in these production processes, measuring and control technologies are used for quality control.

Conclusion The integration of measuring, control and testing technology in the optical fibre drawing process ensures a constant high quality of optical fibres. At different production stages, gauge heads and processor systems measure, monitor and control the entire drawing process and thus increase the efficiency of production. network interfaces in the technologies, optical fibre manufacturers are able to reproduce quality and to network their manufacturing locations. n With the integration of

References

[1] h t t p : / / www. re s e a rc h a n dma r k e t s. c om / reports/3807789/global-fiber-optic-connectors- market-2016-2020

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January 2018