Patent ID: 6187378
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: C03C,C23C,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of automated coating of optical fibers adapted for providing optical fibers having substantially consistent coatings thereon, the method comprising:providing a plurality of plating stations, wherein each of the plurality of plating stations has a container with at least one solution therein to define a plurality of solutions;aligning the optical fibers in a fiber aligning fixture so that the ends of the optical fibers extend substantially vertically therefrom;positioning the fiber aligning fixture in a transport and dipping apparatus adapted for selectively moving the fiber aligning fixture horizontally and vertically, wherein the transport and dipping apparatus is coupled to a programmable controller for directing the movement of the transport and dipping apparatus;activating the programmable controller to cause the transport and dipping apparatus to move horizontally so that the fiber aligning fixture is disposed above one of the plurality of plating stations and to move vertically so that the fiber aligning fixture is disposed with the ends of the optical fibers dipped into the container of the one of the plurality of plating stations, and wherein the programmable controller directs the transport and dipping apparatus to the plurality of plating stations in a selected order and at selected time intervals and directs the apparatus at each of the stations to immerse the ends of the optical fibers into the solutions at a selected entry rate, for a selected duration, and at a selected withdrawal rate to substantially consistently coat the optical fibers.