Ocean Optics Fiber Optic Termination Kit - Manual (Page 4)

Fiber Optic Termination Kit Instructions
4 637-03500-000-01-201105
Polishing Fiber Ends
WARNING
Safety glasses should be worn when polishing short sections of fiber (12 inches or
less). Use caution when handling alcohol to avoid any spills. Apply alcohol to the
SMA connector with cotton-tipped applicators.
Once you have allowed the epoxy to cure and the SMA connector and sleeve are securely crimped to
the cable, perform the steps below to polish the fiber end.
Polishing the Fiber End
► Procedure
1. Place the exposed bare fiber on the 6” x 6” glass table, and use the scoring tool to score a
notch in the fiber as close as possible to the tip of the SMA ferrule.
2. Snap the excess bare fiber off at the scored point of the fiber.
3. Screw the SMA connector into the SMA polishing puck so that the tip of the bare fiber and tip
of the SMA ferrule are exposed.
4. Place a sheet of the 12 µm lapping film on the 6” x 6” glass.
5. Hold the SMA polishing puck by the fiber cable channel and place the SMA connector
vertical to the lapping film.
Note
Holding the SMA polishing puck in a 90° vertical manner ensures flatness on the tip
of the fiber.
6. Gently rub the bare fiber tip on the lapping film in a “figure-8” motion until the excess epoxy
is removed and the fiber is flush against the tip of the SMA ferrule.
7. Place a sheet of the 3 µm lapping film on the 6” x 6” glass.
8. Hold the SMA polishing puck by the fiber cable channel (in the vertical position) and gently
rub the fiber tip on the lapping film in a “figure-8” motion approximately 50 times.
9. Repeat Steps 7-8, using the 1 µm lapping film.
10. Wipe the fiber end with the optic wipes to remove contaminants created during polishing and
to clean the end of the fiber.