The fiber cleaver is used to cut the quartz glass fiber as thin as a hair. The end of the cut fiber is still flat after being magnified hundreds of times before it can be used for device packaging, cold splicing, and discharge splicing.
Structure
Operating procedures
- Open the top clamp lever and the Id of the single fiber adapter. The blade carriage should be in the forward position
2.Lower the fiber straight into the correct V-groove with the end of the fiber coating (e g. if the cleave length is 16mm) at the 16mm mark on the ruler.
3.Close the lid of the single fiber adapter.
4.Lower the top clamp lever. Side the blade carriage to the rear of the cleaver. The fiber will be cleaved.
5.Open the top clamp lever. Then open the lid of the single fiber adapter and lift the newly cleaved fiber. Lift the off-cut and dispose it properly.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
This product has been designed and manufactured to assure personal safety. Improper use can result in bodily injury and serious damage to the fiber cleaver.
- Do not disassemble or lubricate any parts of the cleaver. Doing so could cause serious damage to the cleaver.
- This is a precision tool. Do not impact the cleaver by hitting or dropping it. Doing so may cause personal injury and loss of cleaving performance.
- Glass fiber fragments are extremely sharp. Handle with care. Wear safety glasses at all times during cleaving operation for protection from glass fibers. Dispose of glass fiber fragments properly.
- The blade of the cleaver is extremely sharp. Do not touch it with bare hands.
- Do not impact the top clamp lever. Doing so could cause damage to the cleaver and loss of cleaving performance.
- If the cleaver is damaged or a problem occurs, please contact our maintenance service center.
Daily Maintenance of Optical Fiber Cleaver
Cleaning
- To keep excellent cleaving quality, cleaning must be performed after use.
- Clean the blade edge, the rubber pad of the clamp and the anvil with a cotton swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol.
3.Clean the fiber holder receptacle and the grooves of the single fiber adapter, too.
Caution:
- Dust on the blade edge or the clamp might cause loss of cleaving performance or poor quality of fiber end face.
- Do not clean them with any other kind of chemicals.
If the top clamp lever is closed leaving an off-cut fiber on the damp, the rubber pad of the clamp will have a trace of the fiber, causing loss of cleaving performance or poor quality of fiber end face.
Blade position change
As the number of the cleaver’s increases, a symptom that fiber cannot be cleaved or cracks will occur. If such symptom continues to appear, the blade position is worn out. Rotate the blade according to the following procedures and use a new blade position.[Reference] 1,000 fibers per position.
- Loosen the blade setscrew. Note that the blade setscrew is a slotted screw.
2.Rotate the blade to the next position by pressing its side or edge with a cotton swab. Rotate the blade in the direction indicated by the arrow.
Caution:
- Do not rotate the blade with hands.
- Do not rotate the blade with metallic tweezers. Doing so may damage the blade.
3.Tighten the blade setscrew. [Reference] Optimum torque: Approx. 0.98N-m (10kgfem)
Caution:
- Do not over-tighten the blade setscrew. The screw will get worn out.
4.Try and cleave the fiber. Make visual check of the fiber end face with the splicer. If the fiber end face is poor, adjust the blade height. (Refer to “Blade height adjustment.)
Blade height adjustment
(0: If you have bought the fiber cleaver with off-cut collector, please remove it first.)
- Loosen the 2 cross head screws.
2.Loosen the blade height locking screw.
3.Place a mechanical pencil lead or a light stick on the clamps. Slide the blade carriage back and forth and turn the blade height adjustment screw.
Tips
- To make the blade higher, turn the blade height adjustment screw clockwise.
- To make the blade lower, turn the blade height adjustment screw anti-clockwise. (Turn the screw while pushing the blade down with a cotton swab.)
- To make the blade lower, turn the blade height adjustment screw anti-clockwise, while pushing the blade down with a cotton swab.
4.Turn the blade height adjustment screw clockwise by more 4 to 6 marks from the reference point
Caution:
- Do not make the blade too high. Doing so will damage the anvil and increases the chipped fiber ends.
5.Tighten the blade height locking screw. [Reference] Optimum torque: Approx. 0.59N・m (6kgf，cm)
6.Tighten the 2 cross head screws. [Reference] Optimum torque: Approx. 0.98N,m (10kgf・cm)
Blade replacement
(0: If you have bought the fiber cleaver with off-cut collector, please remove it first.)
- Unscrew the blade setscrew.
2.Remove the blade with tweezers.
Caution:
- The edge of a blade is manufactured precisely. If the edge is hit against metallic objects, it will crack, resulting in poor cleaving performance. Handle with care.
- When using metallic tweezers, be careful not to damage the blade.
- Do not touch the blade with hands. Use gloves.
- Dispose of the old blade properly
3.Insert a new blade in the cleaver so that “1” of the number sticker is in the top position. The hole of the blade should be aligned with the hole of the blade receptacle.
4.Tighten the blade setscrew completely, while pressing the side of the blade. [Reference] Optimum torque: Approx. 0.98N・m (lOkgf-cm)
5.Adjust the blade height, referring to “Blade height adjustment”
Troubleshooting
If the cleaving problem occurs, the followings are possible causes.
Problem: The fiber is placed obliquely in the cleaver.
Cause: Make sure that the fiber is placed straight in the cleaver.
Problem: The blade height is too high.
Cause: Adjust the blade height.
Problem: Dust or dirt remains on the clamp.
Cause: Clean the clamp.
Problem: Dust or dirt remains on the blade.
Cause: Clean the blade.
Problem: Dust or dirt remains on the fiber.
Cause: Remove the fiber coating and clean the bare fiber again.
If the problem still persists, please contact the maintenance service center.
