POLISH: Ask FOC

QUESTION: Does FOC have a step-by-step “instruction sheet” on polishing procedure?   ANSWER: In a perfect world, there would be ONE polishing procedure. In this ideal world, you could follow a standard “recipe” to implement your fiber optic polishing...

QUESTION: In APC polishing is conical or step ferrules more expensive?   ANSWER: Of the two common ferrule shapes involved in APC polishing – conical and step – the step ferrule is by far the easiest in terms of controlling geometries. Step ferrules are...

QUESTION: What is the process to follow if the step ferrules are not pre-angled?   ANSWER: Polishing step ferrules: Angle cutting If the step ferrules are not pre-angled, you must, of course, create the angle as part of the polishing process. A good general...

QUESTION: What is Chemical Mechanical Planarization and how is it used in the fiber optic cable assembly process?   ANSWER: CMP flock pile pads provide two functions in the polishing process for MT ferrules: The primary purpose is to etch away the...

QUESTION: How do you achieve the target fiber height of +/-20 nanometers?   ANSWER: Today, fiber height is the easiest geometry parameter to control. How do you achieve the target fiber height of +/-20 nanometers? The tightened tolerance of +/-20 is...

  QUESTION: We are considering using MT thermoset or thermoplastic ferrules in our cable assemblies. What do we need to know before deciding? ANSWER:  A development that can improve your polishing process is Fiber Optic Center’s Ångström polishing...

QUESTION: How can you adjust your APC polishing process to modify characteristics of the geometry and achieve consistent accuracy? ANSWER: APC polishing issues could derive from problems with mechanics (materials or equipment) or the polishing ...

QUESTION: How long has Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) polishing process been used? ANSWER: We have been watching the development of Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) since the 1980s, when this polishing process was first used in the semiconductor...

QUESTION: What causes the Apex of a radius to be imperfect, to be off-center?    ANSWER: Angles do. Angles create Apex Offset. Apex Offset is the result of polishing at an angle. The ferrule being at an angle to the polishing surface during polishing...

QUESTION: How can you decrease and increase Radius values?   ANSWER: Generally speaking, the smaller your average Radius value, the smaller the deviation in results will be. It is usually a good idea to aim for the lower end of the Radius specification...