New series of optical fibre recoaters provide accurate performance for industry

Fujikura Europe has released a new FSR series of optical fibre recoaters – the FSR115, FSR116, and FSR117.

The new speciality series of fibre recoaters is an upgraded version of its FSR05, 06, and 07 models. The series has particular new automated features and faster, accurate performance for industries and applications, including specialist R&D institutes, high-power laser manufacturers, and optical component production lines throughout Europe.

Each model provides a redesigned pump that offers a shorter UV resin injection time and lowers total recoating time by around 25%. The new series also has enhanced recoating length repeatability thanks to the mould, which now possesses an air vent on the upper U-groove. The air vent enables the flow of curable material with no air bubbles, which makes recoating consistently more stable and accurate. LEDs have also been added to the mould injection area for heightened resin visibility.

The new moulds are now provided with RFID sensors which tell the machines what mould is being used. The machine then employs that information to highlight the available recoating modes applicable to a particular mould or fibre. This new functionality results in a faster set-up process and removes the potential for employing incorrect settings, which can cause delays, complications, and the necessity to carry out work again.

With to the addition of an LED touchscreen interface, the devices are more user-friendly. The colour LED touchscreen offers a more intuitive and versatile user experience which is particularly beneficial when the machine is incorporated into a desk on a production line, which may limit the ability to access and properly use the buttons easily.

Operators can now also utilise the recoating centring adjustment for enhanced fibre alignment. This new feature aligns the fibre centrally to where the resin is deployed and helps reduce the risk of getting an uneven coat, contributing to more consistent results. Centring is performed with a fibre height adjuster and spacers that enable fine-tuning based on coating variations.

The new range continues to provide end users the ability to carry out optimum reliability proof testing, tension testing and proof-failure testing; the FSR117 has a proof test function of up to 10kgf (kilogram-force) and the FSR116 up to 2kgf. The smaller FSR115 does not include proof test functionality.

Commenting on the increased functionality and performance of the new FSR models, Sameen Saleem, European Business Development engineer at Fujikura Europe, said: “Fujikura has a global reputation for designing and manufacturing quality and reliable optical fibre recoaters. Our new FSR series provides engineers and researchers with the latest in fibre optic technology thanks to our investment in R&D.

“We have upgraded the existing features that have made our widely used FSR05, 06, and 07 models so popular, but now the series offers a superior performance in terms of speed and accuracy - helping users to finish jobs and projects faster, with greater results.”