NewNew Products
ProductsS122M8/M12 Ultra-Compact Fusion Splicer for Optical
Multi-Fiber Ribbon

1.

OUTLINE

The S122M8 (for up to eight fibers) and the S122M12 (forup to twelve fibers) fusion splicers have been developed
as successor machines to the S199M8 and S199M12
multi-fiber ribbon fusion splicer, respectively. Being positioned as the sister machine of the S122M4 (for up to fourfibers), an ultra-compact fusion splicer for FTTH splicingwork brought into the market in March, 2006, these splicers have been developed based on the concept of “toenable easy and assured optical fiber splicing anytime,anywhere and by anyone.” Thus the S122M8/M12 is provided with compact, lightweight and easy-to-use unit
geometry together with a GUI interface offering intuitive
and user-friendly operationality, and is applicable to trunkline splicing work involving DSFs. The development of theS122M8/M12 is targeted at expanding the concept of theS122M4 ultra-compact fusion splicer to multiple-fiber ribbons of eight and twelve fibers, and the splicers integrate
newly developed functions to enable stabilized fusion
splicing of multiple fibers, rendering them a model superior to the S122M4.

2.

FEATURES

2.1 Compactness and Lightweight
The S122M8/M12 has been designed based on the miniaturization technology of the S122M4 ultra-compact fusion
splicer, making it possible to splice up to eight or twelve
fibers with a slight increase of 13 mm in height and 0.1 kg
in mass compared to the S122M4. Figure 1 shows theappearance of the S122M12. The outer dimensions are140W x 189D x 86H excluding projections. The main unit
weighs 960 g, a 50% reduction in volume and 70% reduction in weight compared to Furukawa’s S199M12 multifiber ribbon splicer.

Figure 1

Appearance of S122M12.

2.2 Automatic Program Selection
The S122M8/M12 counts the number of fibers in the ribbon, and automatically selects a suitable splicing program to start splicing. This eliminates the need for replacing the fusion splicing program every time the number offiber changes.
2.3 Correction of Bent Optical Fiber
Some of the optical fibers may, when a long time has
elapsed after installation, be bent to the right and left sideor up and down, making proper setting into the V grooveof optical fiber fusion splicer difficult. The reformer is a jig
to correct bent fibers, and can properly set a bent fiber byfine adjusting the direction of the bending. One can leaveit intact after setting, and close the wind shield to proceed
to fusion splicing.
2.4 Automatic Fiber Positioning
In case a large misalignment of optical fiber is encountered, this mechanism automatically vibrates the fiber
clamp to drop the fiber into the bottom of the V groove,
thereby lessening the misalignment. Manual vibration isalso possible. Simultaneous use of the reformer abovementioned will enhance the effectiveness.

Figure 2

Reformer installed on S122M12.

Figure 3

Automatic fiber positioning.

Furukawa Review, No. 31

2007

19

S122M8/M12 Ultra-Compact Fusion Splicer for Optical Multi-Fiber Ribbon

2.5 High-Speed Splicing
The S122M8/M12 takes 15 sec for either eight or twelve
fiber ribbons, the fastest in the industry, and heat shrinking the reinforcement sleeve after splicing takes 45 sec.
2.6 Automatic Control of Fusion Temperature
Based on the heating conditions of optical fibers during
fusion splicing, arc discharge is controlled in real time tostabilize the heating temperature. This enables to achieve
stabilized and low splicing losses, even when any environmental changes should occur during the work.
2.7 Installed Useful Functions
A number of user-friendly and useful functions that haveenjoyed a good reputation in the S122M4 ultra-compact
fusion splicer have been installed including: a GUI offering intuitive and straightforward operationality; a translu-cent color LCD monitor capable of displaying clear images even outdoors; fiber image display with a maximum
magnification ratio of 56 by means of zooming; memory
function for fiber image storage; a helpful counter for
maintenance of accessory tools (cleaver and stripper);alarm function which warns when it is time to replace thecleaver blade; and photo illustration of the maintenanceguide.

3.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

The main specifications are shown in Table 1.
The S122M8/M12 is applicable to splicing not only SM,
MM, and DS fibers but also NZDS fibers. History of splicing loss estimation data (splicing loss history) can be
stored up to 12,000 fibers, i.e. 1,000 times x 12 fibers, atmaximum. Also, the S122M8/M12 can code and memorize as many as 150 programs of fusion splicing.
Table 1
Item
Applicable fiber type
Applicable fiber count

Splicing loss
Screening force

Figure 4

Automatic arc discharge control.

S122M8: Single to eight
S122M12: Single to twelve
SM: 0.05 dB
MM: 0.03 dB
DS: 0.08 dB
NZDS: 0.08 dB
1.96 N
15 sec for SM fiber

Heat-reinforcing time

45 sec for S924 sleeve

Number of programs
Outer dimensions
WeightCapacity of standard
battery
Applicable sleeve

Maintenance guide screen.

Specification
SM, MM, DS, NZDS

Fusion splicing time

Splicing loss data

Figure 5

Main specifications of S122M8/M12.

1,000 items
Splicing: 150 max.
Heat-reinforcing: 12 max.
140W x 189D x 86H mm excluding projections
Main unit: 960 g
Battery: 170 g
Fusion splicing: 80 times
Fusion splicing plus heat-reinforcing: 40 times
40 mm and 60 mm in length

For more information, please contact:
Interconnectivity Equipment Department,
Telecommunications Company
TEL: +81-3-3286-3455
FAX: +81-3-3286-3708

Furukawa Review, No. 31200720