An optical fiber polishing arm assembly comprises a base, at least one side support, an overarm, and a lock shaft. The at least one side support is operatively connected to the base and has a first radial edge with at least one notch. The overarm is pivotally operatively connected to the base and includes a lock bore selectively aligned with the at least one notch. The lock shaft extends at least partially through the lock bore and is configured and arranged to selectively engage the at least one notch.

An optical fiber polisher includes a polishing mechanism, a platen, and a memory for storing operational parameters entered by a user. The optical fiber polisher includes a processor to control a stopping position of the platen at an end of a polishing step based on the operational parameters.

An example method of polishing multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules with a polishing device is provided. The polishing device includes a polishing component with a polishing surface and a surface for securing multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules such that endfaces of the multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules are oriented to face and be positioned against the polishing surface. The method includes orienting an application device with a spray nozzle about 8 inches to about 12 inches away from the polishing surface, and orienting the spray nozzle of the application device at a downward angle of about 200 to about 300 relative to horizontal and the polishing surface. The method includes applying a fine mist of fluid from the spray nozzle toward the polishing surface to completely coat the polishing surface with the fluid. The method includes positioning the endfaces of the multi-fiber fiber optic ferrules against the polishing surface and polishing the endfaces.

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 method determines a position of a light wave guiding core body of an optical waveguide for machining on a numerically controlled machine tool. The waveguide includes the core body and a shell body enclosing it, both extending from a first end face to a second end face of the waveguide. The method includes providing an optical measurement system, including a light source device and a detection device, and measuring the first end face by the optical measurement system, including irradiating the waveguide by the light source, detecting radiation emitted by the first end face, and determining a position of a center point of the core body on the first end face based on the detected radiation. The optical measurement system is arranged on the machine tool. The measurement of the first end face is performed on the waveguide clamped on the machine table by the optical measurement system.

A method of polishing a ferrule of a fiber optic connector is disclosed. The ferrule includes a plurality of optical fibers connected thereto and at least two reference datums, one being a primary reference datum and another being a secondary reference datum. The method includes inserting the ferrule in a port of a fixture, securing the ferrule within the port of the fixture, and polishing an end face of the ferrule while the ferrule is secured to the port of the fixture. The securing step includes imposing a first clamping force on the ferrule to engage the secondary reference datum of the ferrule with the fixture, and subsequently imposing a second clamping force on the ferrule to engage the primary reference datum of the ferrule with the fixture. A fixture for polishing a ferrule according to the method is also disclosed.