October 4, 2006
Furukawa Electric has developed multi-fiber ribbon fusion splicer S122M8 (up to 8 fibers) and S122M12 (up to 12 fibers) as a successor to S199M8 and S199M12. The new splicer is applicable to every splicing field: trunk lines, FTTH and LAN.
Being positioned as a sister splicer of the ultra-compact splicer S122M4 released in March, 2006, the S122M8/M12 inherits the basic functions of the S122M4 such as splicing of the DSF or NZDS fibers (*1) through two-direction fiber observation and a 3.5” high-resolution translucent LCD monitor and graphic user interface (GUI). Moreover, the S122M8/M12 is provided with new functions to enable more stabilized splicing including automatic selection of splicing programs based on fiber count recognition, automatic correction of axial misalignment (*2) of fiber, and automatic control of heating temperature during fusion splicing. The equipment is compact and lightweight with a small increase in height and mass compared with the S122M4, i.e. 13 mm and 0.1 kg, respectively.
The S122M8/M12 is scheduled to be released in mid-October, 2006, and the amount of sales is targeted at 1,000 units per year.
Background of development
Appearance of S122M8/M12
In March, 2006, we released the ultra-compact fusion splicer S122M4 applicable to FTTH splicing work of up to 4-fiber ribbon. The splicer was developed based on the concept of “to enable easy and assured fiber splicing at any time, anywhere, and by anyone”, and was provided with such features as a compact, lightweight body, easy-to-use body configuration, user-friendly and intuitive operation helped by the GUI onboard as well as broadened applicability to cover splicing work of DSF fiber in trunk lines.
The S122M8/M12 has been developed in order to expand the concept of the S122M4 to enable splicing of 8-fiber and 12-fiber ribbons, and moreover, newly developed functions have been installed to make the equipment a superior model of the S122M4, achieving stable performance in multi-fiber fusion splicing.
Features of the Product
LCD monitor displaying splicing conditions
GUI using LCD monitor
- Compact, lightweight body
Based on the design technology of the S122M4, the S122M8/M12 has minimized increases in the height and mass of the equipment over those of the S122M4 to 13 mm and 0.1 kg, respectively, yet enabling splicing of 8-fiber or 12-fiber ribbon. Compared with its predecessor the S199M series, the S122M8/M12 has achieved significant reductions in volume and mass of 50% and 70%, respectively. This compact, lightweight equipment offers excellent workability for any splicing environments including FTTH as well as trunk lines. - Automatic selection of splicing program
This equipment automatically counts the number of fibers in the ribbon, select an appropriate splicing program automatically, and subsequently start splicing. Hence, no need to switch the splicing program every time the number of fibers changes. - Automatic correction of axial misalignment of fiber
Axial misalignment of fiber, which is likely to be generated during splicing of multi-fiber ribbons, is alleviated by automatically vibrating the fiber holddown plate. Vibration can be given manually also. - Automatic control of fusion temperature
The fusion temperature during fusion splicing is stabilized by controlling the discharge intensity. By this means, regardless of possible environmental changes during splicing work, good splicing loss can be obtained without using corrective discharges. - High-speed splicing
High-speed splicing is realized by this equipment: splicing takes 15 sec for an 8-fiber/12-fiber ribbon, the quickest for this type of splicers, and heat-shrinking of a reinforce sleeve after splicing takes 45 sec. - Fully loaded with useful functions
The S122M8/M12 inherits a number of useful functions that have been installed on the S122M4 acquiring a favorable reputation including user-friendly and intuitive operation helped by the onboard GUI; translucent 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 the cleaver blade; and photo illustrations of the maintenance guide.
Specifications
- Applicable fiber type: MM, SM, DSF, NZDF
- Averaged splicing loss: MM: 0.03 dB, SM: 0.05 dB, DSF/NZDF: 0.08 dB
- Number of splicing using built-in battery: 40 times (fusion splicing + heat reinforcing)
- Dimensions: 140W x 189D x 86H (mm)
- Mass: 1.13 kg including battery
- Sales target: 1,000 units/year
- Price: Open pricing
Glossary
*1. DSF: Dispersion Shifted Fiber; NZDS: Non-Zero Dispersion Shifted Fiber
These fibers are mainly used in trunk lines.
*2. Axial misalignment: Displacement in the radial direction of optical fiber generated between a pair of fibers to be spliced.