AFL brings Fujikura 41S+ Fusion Splicer to North America
AFL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd., says it now offers the Fujikura 41S+ fusion splicer in North America. The ruggedized, two camera, active cladding alignment fusion splicer features Fujikura’s Active Fusion Control (AFC) technology, designed to reduce reburns and improve splice losses in fibers with poor cleave angles.
“Keeping equipment in the field clean and in pristine operating condition at all times is a challenging task. Active Fusion Control helps alleviate this pain point by improving splice loss for even poorly prepared fibers,” explained Lucas Mays, associate product manager for AFL’s Fusion Splicing Systems. “High cleave angles are typically a major thorn in a technician’s side, especially for newer users still adjusting to the nuances of fusion splicing. They can come from several factors but namely, a dull or dirty cleaver. Active Fusion Control reduces splice loss to industry-acceptable standards even with non-ideal prepped fiber, giving operators greater confidence in the splices they install.”
The 41S+ fusion splicer also benefits from Warm Splice Imaging (WSI), which enables determination of fiber core alignment by observing the splice during the heating process. WSI enables more accurate splice loss estimates than cladding-only alignment can provide, AFL asserts. Meanwhile, technicians also can leverage an Active Blade Management (ABM) via Bluetooth capability in tandem with the CT50 Fiber Cleaver. The combination enables tracking of blade rotation usage and enables the blade to be rotated as needed, reducing incidences of poor splice installation or repair.
Other Fujikura 41S+ features include:
- 6-second splice time and 25-second shrink time
- A touchscreen monitor designed to provide simple and intuitive menu navigation
- Interchangeable sheath clamps or fiber holders for versatile compatibility with splice-on connectors
- A battery that supports up to 200 splice and heat cycles
- Electrodes capable of performing 5,000 splices.
Technicians also can access software updates via AFL’s website. Fujikura Europe offers the splicer on the other side of the Atlantic (see "Fujikura Europe unveils 41S+ active clad alignment splicer").
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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