Polishing quartz fibers in an aluminium connector

[drodrig]

Hi there,

We need to make a connector with 16 bundles of fibers (each bundle has 4 fibers) of 200 microns diameter (they are from Laser Components (actually from Molex): FVP SI200/240/280,high OH,NA 0.22 silica/silica,polyimide bufer).

This connector will mate a symmetric one with bigger fibers (one fiber of 1mm core to mate 4 of 200).

Our idea is making these connectors in aluminium, put the fibers through and glue them (in principle with epoxy).

Attached some pictures showing our first prototype for a mock-up

Then we will polish everything.

How can one polish this?

By hand using sanding paper with lower grit value and typical 8 patterns I am afraid the aluminium will scratch the fibers.

I asked to laser polish them, but it can't be done with the aluminium/quartz combitation.

I'm thinking about mill them with a diamond flying cutter. Another option would be just a rotary polisher.

Maybe there is a better choice than aluminium for the connector?

thanks
reards,

 

[MacGyverS2000]

What about a thin throwaway pad resting (glued?) on the aluminum face... once the polishing step is finished, the pad is removed (mechanical removal, chemical etching, whatever), leaving the polished fibers slightly proud of the aluminum face. No aluminum shavings would get in the way of the polishing step, only fibers from the throwaway pad.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[drodrig]

Hi,

This connector will mate face to face with another similar one; screwed to each other, to make sure the fibers match one to one. Two positioning pins will be used.

Aluminium and fibers must be in the same plane

thanks
regards,

 

[DanStro]

Have you looked at sites like the one below that describes how to do it?

https://www.lightwaveonline.com/art...y-polish-fiber-optic-connectors-53668932.html

 

[drodrig]

Hi,

Interesting link, unfortunately it doesn't have the pictures (which are mentioned in text).

It explains how to polish individual fibers and connectors. In my case I have a customized big connector with 16 fibers. From my past experience with POF fibers it is difficult to get good results; not all fibers get good finishing, like the there is much "powder" scratching the fibers.

What would be the best material to make the connector with the silica fibers?

thanks
regards,