An optical fiber connector, comprising: a housing shell configured to mate with a receptacle; a gripping device to grip an optical fiber, the gripping device including a fiber gripping element and an actuating cap configured to engage the gripping element; and a collar body disposed in the housing shell, the collar body including a ferrule securely disposed in an opening of the collar body, the ferrule including a central bore that defines an axis, and a housing portion disposed in a generally central portion of the collar body and having an opening to receive the gripping device, wherein the gripping element comprises a ductile material having a focus hinge that couples first and second element legs, each of the legs including a fiber gripping channel to clamp an optical fiber received therein upon actuation by the actuating cap, wherein the actuating cap is registered to the collar body, wherein the ferrule is axially moveable independent of the axial movement of the optical fiber and gripping device, wherein the collar body and actuation cap are formed of a first material, wherein the gripping element is formed of a second material, and wherein the first and second materials each have a coefficient of thermal expansion such that a relative position of an end of the optical fiber gripped in the gripping device with respect to an end of the ferrule is maintained over a temperature range of at least 100°C. a housing shell configured to mate with a receptacle; a gripping device to grip an optical fiber, the gripping device including a fiber gripping element and an actuating cap configured to engage the gripping element; and a collar body disposed in the housing shell, the collar body including a ferrule securely disposed in an opening of the collar body, the ferrule including a central bore that defines an axis, and a housing portion disposed in a generally central portion of the collar body and having an opening to receive the gripping device, wherein the gripping element comprises a ductile material having a focus hinge that couples first and second element legs, each of the legs including a fiber gripping channel to clamp an optical fiber received therein upon actuation by the actuating cap, wherein the actuating cap is registered to the collar body, wherein the ferrule is axially moveable independent of the axial movement of the optical fiber and gripping device, wherein the collar body and actuation cap are formed of a first material, wherein the gripping element is formed of a second material, and wherein the first and second materials each have a coefficient of thermal expansion such that a relative position of an end of the optical fiber gripped in the gripping device with respect to an end of the ferrule is maintained over a temperature range of at least 100°C. a ferrule securely disposed in an opening of the collar body, the ferrule including a central bore that defines an axis, and a housing portion disposed in a generally central portion of the collar body and having an opening to receive the gripping device, wherein the gripping element comprises a ductile material having a focus hinge that couples first and second element legs, each of the legs including a fiber gripping channel to clamp an optical fiber received therein upon actuation by the actuating cap, wherein the actuating cap is registered to the collar body, wherein the ferrule is axially moveable independent of the axial movement of the optical fiber and gripping device, wherein the collar body and actuation cap are formed of a first material, wherein the gripping element is formed of a second material, and wherein the first and second materials each have a coefficient of thermal expansion such that a relative position of an end of the optical fiber gripped in the gripping device with respect to an end of the ferrule is maintained over a temperature range of at least 100°C.