Instruction Manual R&M Connectors R&M Fiber Optic Components System security for future requirements Version 2.4 1/13
R&M Fiber Optic Components... 1 System security for future requirements... 1 1. Foreword... 2 2. Glue preparation... 3 2.1 Preparing two-component adhesive (EPO-TEK 353ND)...3 2.2 Connector preparation...3 3. Fiber and cable preparation... 4 3.1 Pigtail...4 3.2 Patch cords...4 4. Assembling... 5 4.1 Pigtail...5 4.2 Patch cord...5 4.3 Curing...7 4.4 Cleaving fiber...7 5. 7 6. Polishing... 8 6.1 Pre-polishing...8 6.2 Tuning...8 6.3 Polishing...8 7. Inspection... 9 7.1 Dimension control...9 8. Visual inspection... 10 8.1 Interferometry...10 9. Assembling of housing... 11 9.1 LSH...11 9.2 SC...11 9.3 LC...12 10. Insertion and Return Loss measurement... 12 1. Foreword This document has been drafted with utmost care and reflects the products engineering level at the time of publication. Amendments or corrections to this document will be included in each new edition. Subject to technical change without notice. If not referred to any particular connector type, the working steps are alike for all types and pictures show one possible connector. We take utmost care to deliver best quality connectors and support the assembling process. But please take into account that we can not support the usage of the needed equipment and its handling as for example polishing machine. Please refer to the vendor s instruction. Version 2.4 2/13
2. Glue preparation 2.1 Preparing two-component adhesive (EPO-TEK 353ND) Read and follow the adhesive supplier s instruction manual carefully. The prepared adhesive can be processed for approximately 1.5h after mixing when stored in closed environment (e.g. syringe). The EPOXY resin and hardener shall be mixed in a ratio of 10:1. Every time glue is refilled in the injection device measure ten drops to adjust the added amount of glue. The weight of those 10 drops shall be between 20-25mg. Make sure the drops are of equal size. RIGHT WRONG 2.2 Connector preparation LSH / SC based on Alberino LC / FC / ST Inject one drop (2.0-2.5mg) into the ferrule entry cone for LC we recommend the usage of the spacer sleeve R803487 Gently push down needle until its tip reaches the ferrule entry cone. Inject one drop (2.0-2.5mg) Version 2.4 3/13
Connectors filled with glue shall be assembled within 20-30min! 3. Fiber and cable preparation 3.1 Pigtail Slide boot over tube Strip secondary coating and primary coating: 15-20 Step 3 Clean fiber with isopropyl alcohol 3.2 Patch cords Step 3 Slide boot over cable Slide crimp sleeve over cable Strip cable: LSH/SC/LC FC ST Step 4 Clean fiber with isopropyl alcohol Cable can be prepared at any other location or some time before the assembling process. But it is highly recommended to strip the tube just before assembling in order to keep the fiber protected until last possible moment. Version 2.4 4/13
4. Assembling 4.1 Pigtail Gently push the fiber into connector until secondary coating reaches ferrule cone. Rotation of connector helps spreading glue between fiber and ferrule Gently pull fiber to ensure fiber and tube reached end position. 4.2 Patch cord Gently push the fiber into connector until secondary coating reaches ferrule cone. Rotation of connector helps spreading glue between fiber and ferrule Distribute Kevlar evenly around the connectors crimp neck. Depending on cable type (amount of Aramid yarn) you might want to use glue in order to improve the strain relief. In this case make sure, that glue is not running under cable jacket as this leads to stress and bending issues. Glue shall only be placed on the height of crimp neck. Version 2.4 5/13
Step 3 Push crimp sleeve over aramid yarn and crimp neck until it reaches the mechanical end position. Crimp the sleeve on its entire length. Check aramid length frequently. It shall not be visible anymore or just 1-2mm but cover the complete length of crimp neck. Crimp sleeve must remain on it s end position after crimping. If it moved during crimping the connector shall be reassembled. Check Hex diameter regulary. It shall be 3.85mm ± 0.05mm R&M offers a number of crimp dies. If own crimp tools are used it is assemblers responsibility to ensure the quality of crimp. Depending on crimp die, two steps are required. Step 4 Gently pull fiber to ensure fiber and tube reached end position. Version 2.4 6/13
4.3 Curing Place the ferrules and corresponding holders for 20 minutes in oven at around 100 C. Time between mixing glue and starting curing shall not exceed 1.5h. Read and follow carefully the manual provided by oven vendor. See also adhesive datasheet. Temperature and recommended curing time might vary. 4.4 Cleaving fiber Apply the blade carefully to the front of the ferrule. Scratch the fiber by moving the blade backwards. Force applied only by knifes own weight. Gently press down the fiber at its end. Fiber will break at the scratched area from step 1. Make sure the fiber is falling into a container. Fiber pieces can harm you if stuck in skin! Wear glasses to protect your eyes! 5. Version 2.4 7/13
6. Polishing 6.1 Pre-polishing Step 3 Gently polish the ferrule front on a polishing paper with ~30µm core diameter. It is recommended to do so in circular movements 8-shape. Stop when the sound changes from scratching to sliding. Visually the scratch on paper gets broader. Make sure there is no glue (reddish) remaining neither on end face nor shaft. Clean Ferrule with isopropyl alcohol. 6.2 Tuning All R&M connectors except ST can be tuned. For SM connectors of Performance Grade C angle H shall be <50 according to IEC61755. Locate position of fiber axis and place it in the upper position (position of key) or measure lowest insertion loss against Tuning cable. Ferrule holder Alberino: Mark position For APC connector tuning must be done before final polishing For PC connectors tuning can be done after pre-polishing or final polishing. For LC, depending on polishing jig, housing needs to be mounted after tuning and before polishing. Here for see step 6.4.3, step 1 6.3 Polishing Read and follow carefully the manual provided by polishing machine vendor. Version 2.4 8/13
7. Inspection 7.1 Dimension control Assembler must ensure all connectors are within the standardized dimensions. LSH L=12.12-12.32mm See also IEC61754-15 SC L= 7.15-7.5mm See IEC61754-4 LC L= 10.3-10.5mm See IEC61754-20 FC L= 3.75-4.10mm See IEC61754-13 ST L= 7.75-8mm See IEC61754-2 L All length from optical reference plane (fiber axis) to mechanical reference plane. Due to copyright restrictions not all dimensions can be shown by drawings. Version 2.4 9/13
8. Visual inspection SM connectors MM connectors Area A shall be free of scratches and pits Referr to IEC 61300-3-1 Minimum magnification 200x Ferrule shall be free of dust and other remaining! 8.1 Interferometry Read and follow carefully the manual provided by interferometry device vendor. All values shall be PASS. Version 2.4 10/13
9. Assembling of housing 9.1 LSH Slide ferrule holder into the connector housing. Make sure the marked position is up (where lever will be placed) Place lever in housing and click it in. 9.2 SC Slide ferrule holder into the inner connector housing. Make sure the marked position is up. Slide mounted ferrule holder and inner housing into connector housing. A click sound indicates the final position. Check if housing is mounted correctly by moving it 2-3x up and down. Version 2.4 11/13
9.3 LC Slide ferrule holder into the connector housing. Make sure the arrow is up. Place simplex or duplex clip over housing and click it in. It s recommended to slide the clip from above. This is different to other LC connectors due to improved axial fixation. 10. Insertion and Return Loss measurement SM MM Measure Insertion- and Return Loss according IEC 61300-3-4 Methode B (earlier known as Methode 7) Measure Insertion Loss according IEC 61300-3-4 Methode C (earlier known as Methode 6) Version 2.4 12/13
Reichle & De-Massari AG Binzstrasse 31 CH-8622 Wetzikon Telephone +41 (0)1 933 81 11 Telefax +41 (0)1 930 49 41 www.rdm.com Version 2.4 13/13