Provided is an optical fiber ferrule polishing jig capable of fixing an optical fiber ferrule and releasing the optical fiber ferrule. An optical fiber ferrule polishing jig 10A has; a base 12a having insertion holes 20 into which optical fiber ferrules 51 can be detachably inserted; pivoting rods 13 which are adjacent to the insertion holes 20 of the base 12a and rotatable around lower end portions 36; fixing pieces 14a installed in installation recesses 19a formed in the base 12a to fix the optical fiber ferrules 51 with respect to the insertion holes 20 by being moved as the rods are pivoted; and a plurality of coil springs 15a installed in the installation recesses 19a to bias the fixing pieces 14a so as to release fixing of the optical fiber ferrules 51 with respect to the insertion holes 20.

An embodiment of the invention of this application provides a polishing pad that eliminates a gap between an optical connector and a polishing film during polishing. A polishing pad of the embodiment is used by being placed between a polishing platen and a polishing sheet in a case of performing spherical polishing of an end surface of an optical connector including an optical fiber and a ferrule. The optical connector polishing pad of the embodiment has rebound resilience higher than 20%. The optical connector polishing pad of the embodiment can be formed from a urethane-based material.

An optical fiber polishing fixture assembly comprises a fixture base and a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly has first and second base portions, a lever, and a biasing member. Each of the first and second base portions has an inner facing side with a slot and an inner facing surface. The slots are adapted to receive bars on opposing sides of a fiber optic connector and cable assembly. The lever has a first end positioned between the inner facing surfaces and a second end extending outward therefrom. The clamping assembly has a locked position, when the first and second base portions are biased toward one another by the biasing member, and an unlocked position, when the lever overcomes a biasing force of the biasing member and separates the first and second base portions.

A manufacturing method for manufacturing a multi-fiber connector, including: shaping a part of each of a plurality of optical fibers such that a part of an outer peripheral surface of a glass fiber including one end portion becomes a flat surface; arranging each of the plurality of optical fibers in a positioning component such that the entire flat surface protrudes from the positioning component; rotationally aligning each of the plurality of optical fibers such that the flat surface comes into contact with a reference surface of a jig; fixing each of the plurality of optical fibers to the positioning component; and cutting and removing a part of the glass fiber which protrudes from the positioning component and includes the flat surface and grinding a cut surface of each of the plurality of optical fibers which is exposed from the positioning component.

A method of processing at least one ferrule is disclosed. The at least one ferrule includes an end face. The method includes engaging the end face of the at least one ferrule and an abrasive element with each other at the mating interface; moving the at least one ferrule and the abrasive element relative to each other; and tracing a spiral path in the abrasive element due to the relative movement between the at least one ferrule and the abrasive element. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

A method of processing a ferrule end face using at least one grinding wheel rotatable about a central axis and having a working surface with an abrasive element is provided. The method includes holding the ferrule stationary, engaging the end face of the ferrule and the working surface of the at least one grinding wheel, rotating the at least one grinding wheel about the central axis, and moving the at least one grinding wheel relative to the ferrule along a curve perpendicular to the central axis. Processing the ferrule in this manner imparts a convex shape of the end face of the ferrule. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

A tool for chamfering cleaved tips of optical fibers. The tool including conical bores of relatively smooth and hard material terminate at a cylindrical bore that is slightly larger than the fiber core maximum diameter and a fiber centering bore that is slightly larger than the fiber coating maximum diameter. The tool provided such that when a cleaved fiber tip is inserted into the centering bore the sharp edge falls upon the chamfer that, when rotated relative to the fiber, gently grinds the edge to the chamfer angle. Chamfering cannot occur on the core face due to the absence of tool surface at this dimension.

A process for polishing the end face of a gigabit plastic optical fiber (GbPOF) to produce a mirror smooth surface without any defect. Smooth GbPOF end faces reduce the optical coupling loss when two plastic optical fibers are connected. The polishing process can be used to produce GbPOF end faces which are free of defects such as scratches. The polishing process involves the use of successive abrasive films having decreasing surface roughness to abrade the end of a GbPOF. More specifically, each subsequently applied abrasive film has a mean particle size which is less than the mean particle size of the previously applied abrasive film.

An apparatus for processing a ferrule with an abrasive element. The apparatus includes a first mount configured to secure the ferrule. A second mount includes a holding plate configured to secure the abrasive element. A controller is operatively coupled to the second mount for controlling the movement of the holding plate. The second mount includes a non-stacked multi-axis frame for moving the holding plate within a plane. The multi-axis frame includes a first stage movable along a first axis and a second stage movable along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are substantially parallel to each other but provide for two-dimensional movement of the holding plate within the plane. A method of processing a ferrule is also disclosed.

A process for polishing the end face of a gigabit plastic optical fiber (GbPOF) to produce a mirror smooth surface without any defect. Smooth GbPOF end faces reduce the optical coupling loss when two plastic optical fibers are connected. The polishing process can be used to produce GbPOF end faces which are free of defects such as scratches. The polishing process involves the use of successive abrasive films having decreasing surface roughness to abrade the end of a GbPOF. More specifically, each subsequently applied abrasive film has a mean particle size which is less than the mean particle size of the previously applied abrasive film.