〉〉New ProductsCompact Ribbon Fiber Mass Fusion Splicer S001M4 andRibbon Fiber Cleaver S327

The demand for high-speed and stable optical fiber communications has been increasing due to the expansion of
the remote work and the growing use of video distribution
services. In the domestic market, the installation of anaerial service cable and an in-premise cable has been
increasing with the increase of FTTH users since 2010.
Since the aerial service cable installation requires works
in limited space such as on poles, there is a growing needfor a compact mass fusion splicer with a function forsplicing a drop cable. We have developed a more compact and a lighter mass fusion splicer to meet customer
needs as a successor to the compact mass fusion splicer
NJ001M4. At the same time, as a successor to the opticalfiber cleaver, S326, we have developed an optical fiber
cleaver with easily replaceable cutting blades. Furukawa
Electric has a history of 139 years, starting with the copper smelting and the cable manufacturing. To link withthis long history, we adopted an innovative design with acopper color scheme for both products (Figure 1).

performed overhead. We had lined up the S124 series
fusion splicer for the former and the NJ001 series fusion
splicer for the latter. In addition, since the aerial work issometimes performed in the bucket of an elevating vehicle, as well as on poles and ladders, the equipment mustbe smaller and lighter. Furthermore, as we listened tovoices of our customers, we found that, especially during
fault repairs or relocation works, the length of optical fiberthat must be spliced is extremely short, so the opticalfiber fusion splicer must sometimes be pulled close to theoptical fiber cable to perform the work. For this reason,
we have found that there is a latent need to hold the optical fiber fusion splicer with one hand and to bring it close
to the optical fiber cable.
Therefore, we designed the NJ001M4 to be thoroughly
compact and lightweight, and to be easy to held in thehand, while retaining the advantage points of theNJ001M4, which had been well-appreciated. As shown in
Figure 2, the new NJ001M4 has a T-shaped thin bodythat is easy to hold in the hand. A weight of approximately 750 g (25% less than the conventional model) and a
volume of approximately 916 cm3 (20% less than theconventional model) have been achieved.

Figure 1

Figure 2

1.

2.

INTRODUCTION

Picture of the S001M4.

COMPACT MASS FUSION SPLICER
S001M4

2.1 Product ConceptThis product was planned to target optical fiber installation applications in Japanese domestic market. There are
two main categories of installation work. One is performed underground or above ground, and another isCompact mass fusion splicer for the ribbon fiber,
S001M4.

The LCD screen with touch panel and frequently used
operation switches are located in the center of themachine, making it possible to work even when the LCD
screen is difficult to see due to the work in the bright sun,when the touch panel does not respond well due to rain,
or when wearing gloves.
Since a sufficient space is secured in the rear section,
giving a priority to the workability in the fusion splicer
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Compact Ribbon Fiber Mass Fusion Splicer S001M4 and Ribbon Fiber Cleaver S327

mechanism, the optical fiber holder can be inserted easily
and the workability is not lost.
The front section is equipped with a slot-in battery thatcan be replaced without the use of tools.
2.2 Attentive and Convenient Functions
We have received many valuable comments such as “Theequipment could do more things like this or that.” fromour customers. The fusion splicer S001M4 is a compact
machine with a full range of attentive functions. Here, we
introduce some of them.
2.2.1 Optical fiber holder magnetic attraction plate
In response to on-site voice of “A temporary storage
space for the optical fiber holder is difficult to find”, amagnetic attraction plate has been placed on the side ofthe equipment to serve as a temporary storage location(Figure 3).

2.2.3 Independent left and right optical fiber set
position correcting levers
When an optical fiber is misaligned because it is not firmly placed on the positioning section, this lever corrects
the position by mechanically moving the left and rightfiber clamps up and down individually without touching
the optical fiber (Figure 5).

Figure 5

Figure 3

Optical fiber holder magnetic attraction plate.

Optical fiber position correcting levers.

2.2.4 Windshield angle switching function
When the windshield (lid), which protects the mechanism
from wind and rain, is opened, the angle can be changed.
(Figure 6). The windshield can be set at a large angle foreasy viewing during the daytime, or slightly closed for thework in the dark, so that the mechanism is illuminated by
the high-brightness LEDs installed inside the windshield.

2.2.2 Heater lid that does not close when tilted
The lid of the heater is designed not to close under its
own weight even when the equipment is used in an
upright position in situations where fusion splicing mustbe performed close to the optical fiber cable (Figure 4).

Figure 6

Windshield with adjustable opening angle.

2.2.5 Dedicated switch for function call-only
A switch is provided to straighten out bends in the opticalfiber coating to make splicing easier, and a one-button
switch is provided to change to a setting for splicing ofdrop cables (Figure 7).

Figure 4

Rocker type heater lid.

Figure 7

A button for splicing the drop cable and a button forremoving the fiber curl.

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Compact Ribbon Fiber Mass Fusion Splicer S001M4 and Ribbon Fiber Cleaver S327

2.2.6 Touch panel switch display changing function
The display position of the touch panel switch can bechanged according to the dominant hand. Hands do notblock the screen when operating switches (Figure 8).

Changeable
Figure 10 How to operate the S327 (left: at the desk, right: inthe hand).

Figure 8

Display position changeable touch panel switch.

2.3 High Speed Operation
The total time required for fusion splicing and reinforcement of the fusion point (4 fiber ribbon) is 1.2 times fasterthan that of our conventional products. The former wasachieved by increasing the speed of the motor, and thelatter was achieved by optimizing the control of the heating device used for reinforcement (Figure 9).
Fusion splicing time

Conventional
product

15New product

130Figure 9

Heating reinforcement time3025

10203040Fusion splicing time and heat reinforcement time.

50(s)2.4 Product Specifications
Table 1 shows the main specifications of the S001M4.
Table 1Main specifications of the S001M4.
Items

Specification

Applicable fiber type

SMF, MMF, DSF, NZDSF, BIF

Applicable cladding diameter 125 µm (fiber cutting length: 10 mm)
Splicing loss

SMF: 0.05 dB

Battery

Slot-in type lithium ion

Main unit dimensions

120 W × 165 D × 65 H mm

Main unit mass

750 g (including battery)

The cutting blade, which is used to cut optical fibers, isa consumable item. To minimize problems such as “Fibercannot be cut due to the damage of the cutting blade.” atinstallation sites, the number of possible cuts per cutting
blade has been increased, and also, the blade positioncan be revised without tools even when worn out. Inaddition, the replacement of a blade that has used up allof its positions is now done by customers themselves inabout 1 minute, whereas the previous product needed to
be brought to a service center.
3.2 New Cutting Blade Rotation Mechanism
In the conventional product, the positioning of the cutting
blade was performed by gripping the center hole of the
cutting blade with a shaft, and to absorb concentricity
and diameter errors between the center hole and the cutting blade, it was necessary to adjust the depth of cutinto the optical fiber during the cutting blade replacement
process. This product is based on a method (patented) tocontrol the depth of the cut by directly positioning the tipof the cutting blade instead of the center hole. Therefore,
the effects of these errors can be eliminated. This eliminates the need to rotate the cutting blade or adjust thedepth of the cut when replacing the blade, so that customers can replace the cutting blade by themselves.
The cutting blades are circular in shape as shown in
Figure 11, with blades formed on all circumference sections, and can cut approximately 2,500 optical fibers per
section. Even if one part is worn out, turning the cutting
blade about 14 degrees with the dial will restore sharpness. Since cutting can be performed at 26 locations per

Cutting blade

3.

RIBBON FIBER CLEAVER S327

3.1 Product Concepts
As same as the fusion splicer, the optical fiber cleaver
must be compatible with a variety of work environments.
Therefore, we have designed it in a manner that is easy tooperate both at a desk and with one hand, and also, theopening angle of the lever section can be changed
according to the size of the hand (Figure 10).

Cutting blade rotation dial
Figure 11 Cutting blade rotation mechanism and replacement
method.

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Compact Ribbon Fiber Mass Fusion Splicer S001M4 and Ribbon Fiber Cleaver S327

circumference, approximately 65,000 optical fibers canbe cut per cutting blade. Used cutting blades can beremoved and replaced by simply removing two screws.
3.3 Product Specifications
Table 2 shows the main specifications of the S327.
Table 2Main specifications of the S327.
ItemsSpecification

Applicable fiber

Single to 12 fiber ribbon(coating diameter 250 µm)
Single to 16 fiber ribbon(coating diameter 200 µm)

Applicable cladding diameter

125 µm

Cutting blade rotation

No tool required

Cutting blade replacement time

Approx. 1 min.

Cutting blade life

65,000 times

Waste collection function

Equipped

Main unit dimensions

88 W × 93 D × 57 H mm.

Main unit mass

Approx. 320 g

For more information, please contact:
Fiber-optic Instrument Department,
Optical Fiber and Cable Products Division,Communications Solutions,
Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.
Contact form for optical fiber fusion splicer:
https://www.furukawa.co.jp/srm/form/index.php?id=enfusion

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