〉〉 Communications Solutions〉〉New ProductsSuper High End Fusion Splicer
S185ROF / S185PMROFINTRODUCTION
1.1. INTRODUCTIONFEATURES
2.2. FEATURES

The demand for a high performance fusion splicer used inthe manufacture of the optical communication equipment
and the fiber laser products is increasing every year. The
high performance fusion splicer S184PM-SLDF alreadyon the market is equipped with the world’s first threeelectrode discharge mechanism and is enabling thefusion splice of the ultra large diameter optical fibers.
Furthermore, it was a super universal fusion splicer capable of splicing the polarization maintaining optical fibers,
but we have been receiving the feedback that the equipment size was too large. Therefore, we have developed
the S185ROF / 185PMROF (ROF: Ring of Fire (Note) ), whichis the same size as the high end fusion splicer S185
series already on the market and has an additional discharge function between three electrodes. As a result, theS185 series lineup will include 6 models. The S185ROF
enables the fusion splice of an ultra large diameter opticalfiber, and the S185PMROF enables the fusion splice ofthe polarization maintaining optical fiber with an ultra
large diameter.

2.1 Miniaturization
A picture of the S185ROF is shown in Figure 1.
Compared to the conventional model S184PM-SLDF, themain body has achieved a 46% reduction in volume ratio
and a 48% reduction in mass ratio. In addition, the conventional model required two AC adapters, one for driving
the main body and one for discharging, but in the newproduct, one AC adapter can be used for driving the main
body and for discharging.
2.2 Improvement of Fusion Splice Performance
The resolution of the centering mechanism used for theaxis alignment of the optical fibers has been improved
three times compared to the conventional model,
enabling more accurate axis alignment. In addition, theimage processing system has been improved to expand
the observation range so that the entire fiber can beimaged even with an ultra large diameter optical fiber.
Furthermore, the resolution of the rotation mechanism
required for the alignment of the polarization maintaining
optical fiber is doubled compared to the conventionalmode and the rotation range is expanded from 270° to360°. Therefore, the accurate and speedy rotation alignment can be performed.

Figure 1 Appearance of S185ROF.

Furukawa Electric Review, No. 52 202149〉〉 Communications Solutions

Super High End Fusion Splicer S185ROF / S185PMROF

2.3 Discharge Function Between 3 Electrodes
In the S185ROF / PMROF, a three electrode discharge
system, which has been well received from feedback on
the conventional models, is used. By improving thepower supply for discharge, we have achieved both theminiaturization and the improved discharge stability.
Discharge between three electrodes is particularly suitable for the fusion splicing of the large diameter opticalfibers because it is less likely to cause uneven heating
due to wide area heating and it enables the high power
discharge heating. (Figure 2)

conditions and the fusion splice results. The acquired
fusion splice conditions can be easily imported into thefusion splicer via an external storage such as a PC control application (Splice Data Explorer 2), USB memory,etc.
In the future, we will launch a fusion condition creation
request form with the aim of improving the convenience.

MainSpecification
Specification
3.3. Main
Main specification is shown in table 1.
Table 1Main Specification of S185ROF and S185PMROF.
Specification

Item

Applied optical fiber

S185ROFS185PMROF

SMF, MMF,DSF, NZDSF,BIF, EDF, PCF,LDF, etc.

SMF, MMF,DSF, NZDSF,BIF, EDF, PCF,LDF, PMF, etc.

Applied cladding diameter

Figure 2 Appearance of 3-electrode arc discharge.

125 to 800 µm

Applied coating diameter

160 to 2000 µm

Optical fiber cut length

6 mm for coating cramp splicing
8 to 10 mm for glass cramp splicing

Splicing loss

SMF: 0.014 dB

Splicing time

2.4

Improvement of the Rotation Adjustment
Algorithm for Polarization MaintainingOptical Fiber
When splicing a polarization maintaining optical fiber, it isnecessary to align the internal stress applying member byadjusting the rotation of the optical fiber. In some cases, it
could not be aligned correctly under the operating conditions preinstalled in the equipment since the cross sectional shape of stress applying member varies slightly
depending on the optical fiber manufacturer and the production batch. This time, we have solved this problem bydrastically reviewing the rotation adjustment algorithm.
2.5 Development of FiberBank
There are many types of optical fibers, and each fusion
splice requires the optimization of the fusion splice conditions. This time, we have developed FiberBank, which is a
web service system that provides fusion splice conditions. (Figure 3) This makes it possible to check andobtain a report that describes the optimum fusion splice

160 to 1300 µm

SMF: 15 sec.

Extinction ratio

NA−40 dB / 0.6 deg.

Data communication
terminal

USB version 2.0 type A: 1 port
USB version 2.0 mini B: 1 port

Main body dimension

210W × 180D × 150H mm

Main body weight4.55 kg

4.8 kgCONCLUSION
4.4. CONCLUSION
By miniaturizing the equipment and optimizing eachmechanism, we have developed a high performance
fusion splicer 185ROF / PMROF, which is compact andlightweight and has an improved fusion splice performance. With the lineup of 6 types of high performance
fusion splicers, including the S185 series already on themarket, it became possible to meet the needs of a wide
range of customers.
In the future, we will continue to support the splicing of
the special optical fibers, for which new products areemerging steadily and constantly by upgrading the firmware of the fusion splicer and the FiberBank.
For more information, please contact:
Engineering Section 2,
Fiber-optic Instruments Department,
Optical Fiber and Cable Products Division
TEL: +81-436-55-8173
FAX: +81-436-55-8177
E-mail: fec.askfitel@furukawaelectric.com

Figure 3 Screen of FiberBank.

Note: Ring of Fire is a trademark of 3SAE Technologies Inc.,
registered in the United States, Japan and other countries.

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