A fiber cutter includes: a base including a fiber grip that grips an optical fiber; a slider including a fiber end grip that grips an end portion of the optical fiber, wherein the slider moves relative to the base; a cut former including a blade forming an initial cut in the optical fiber and disposed between the fiber grip and the fiber end grip; and a spring that applies a force between the base and the slider to apply a tension to the optical fiber gripped by the fiber grip and the fiber end grip, wherein the cut former is disposed on the slide, and when the initial cut grows and the optical fiber cleaves, the cut former moves together with the slider by the force of the spring.

A shield trim is performed by tearing bunched shield strands circumferentially along a circular edge. The apparatus includes a pair of aligned metal plates that have been drilled through multiple times such that holes of varying diameters pass through both plates. A cable gripper on the entry side of the device clamps the cable in place. A shield gripper on the rear side of the device closes over the exposed shielding of the cable, and the two plates are pushed together. The shield gripper travels with the rear plate, pushing the shield over the wires and causing the shield to bunch between the two plates. With the two plates pushed together, both grippers open and the cable is pulled free from the device. This pull forces a stress concentration which tears the shield strands across the sharp edge of the hole, producing a uniformly trimmed shield.

A shield trim is performed by tearing bunched shield strands circumferentially along a circular edge. The apparatus includes a pair of aligned metal plates that have been drilled through multiple times such that holes of varying diameters pass may be passed through both plates. A cable gripper on the entry side of the device clamps the cable in place. A shield gripper on the rear side of the device closes over the exposed shielding of the cable, and the two plates are pushed together. The shield gripper travels with the rear plate, pushing the shield over the wires and causing the shield to bunch between the two plates. With the two plates pushed together, both grippers open and the cable is pulled free from the device. This pull forces a stress concentration on the shield strands as they are pulled and subsequently torn across the sharp edge of the hole, producing a uniformly trimmed shield.

A fiber cutter includes: a base including a fiber grip that grips an optical fiber; a slider including a fiber end grip that grips an end portion of the optical fiber, wherein the slider moves relative to the base; a cut former including a blade forming an initial cut in the optical fiber and disposed between the fiber grip and the fiber end grip; and a spring that applies a force between the base and the slider to apply a tension to the optical fiber gripped by the fiber grip and the fiber end grip, wherein the cut former is disposed on the slide, and when the initial cut grows and the optical fiber cleaves, the cut former moves together with the slider by the force of the spring.

Apparatus and methods for mechanically cleaving a bonded wafer structure are disclosed. The apparatus and methods involve clamps that grip the bonded wafer structure and are actuated to cause the bonded structure to cleave.