AU2014240274A1

AU2014240274A1 - An optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables

Info

Publication number: AU2014240274A1
Application number: AU2014240274A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Benjamin John Field
Original assignee: ADC Communications Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Commscope Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-02
Filing date: 2014-10-02
Publication date: 2016-04-21
Also published as: WO2016049704A1

Abstract

H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -20 An optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including a polishing surface mounted on a turntable; a cable support 5 fixture coupled to a polishing fixture; and a pivoting arm coupled to the cable support fixture for moving the cable support fixture and the polishing fixture between a loading position and a polishing position, wherein the cable support fixture includes a locking hub including an outer peripheral edge having a plurality of slots each being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said 10 cables; and a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an optical fibre cable to a respective one of said slots. Figure6 Figure..1

Description

H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 AN OPTICAL FIBRE POLISHING MACHINE FOR ASSISTING IN TREATMENT OF END SURFACES OF OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES 5 Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables; and a cable support fixture which assists in the end-surface treatment of optical fibres. 10 Background of the Invention Transmission cables enable the exchange of data within modern communications networks. Optical fibre cables are commonly used as a transmission medium within 15 large scale high capacity networks. Data transfer is achieved using individual optical fibres constructed from extruded glass or plastic, for example, and by the propagation of a beam of light between the two fibre ends. In comparison to communications cabling which utilises other physical transmission media, such as copper in the case of Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and coaxial cables, optic fibre cables offer advantages 20 including larger bandwidths and a lower susceptibility to loss and distortion due to electromagnetic interference. Optical fibre connectors are coupled to ends of an optical fibre cable . The connectors ensure the proper propagation of light outwards from the core. An important part of 25 the process of creating of high quality optical fibre connectors is the treatment of end surfaces of the exposed fibre cores. This process typically involves two steps: (a) an exposed end of the fibre core is cleaved; and (b) the cleaved surface is polished which involves: 30 (i) applying a ferrule to the fibre; and (ii) pressing the fibre and the attached ferrule onto a polishing surface which applies an undercut to the fibre end based on the polishing film used, the applied force, and the polishing speed. 35 This polishing process influences the geometry of the fibre end, and thus has a H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -2 significant impact on the optical performance of the cable. Producing high quality and cost effective optical fibre cable connections requires an efficient polishing process. To achieve this, cable support fixtures have been used to 5 facilitate improved contact between the fibre end and the polishing surface. Some desirable properties of a cable support fixture include the ability to: 1. secure multiple optical fibre cables for end-surface treatments (including polishing), 10 2. allow easy access to and removal of the secured cables, and 3. maintain cable integrity during the end treatment process. With reference to the above criteria, existing cable support fixtures possess several drawbacks. Firstly, due to physical space constraints, a set of two or more cables are 15 often secured simultaneously, and as a result accessing one cable can cause disruption to other cables within the set. Secondly, existing support fixtures often do not constrain the alignment of the cable. If the cable is aligned non-perpendicularly to the surface during polishing then the application of a lateral force may transfer stress to the ferrule causing distortion in the geometry of the fibre end face, or even a 20 breakage of the fibre core. It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned difficulties, or at least provide a useful alternative. 25 Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including: (a) a polishing surface mounted on a turntable; 30 (b) a cable support fixture coupled to a polishing fixture; and (c) a pivoting arm coupled to the cable support fixture for moving the cable support fixture and the polishing fixture between a loading position and a polishing position, wherein the cable support fixture includes: H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -3 (i) a locking hub including an outer peripheral edge having a plurality of slots each being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said cables; and (ii) a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an optical 5 fibre cable to a respective one of said slots. Preferably, the locking devices engage respective slots perpendicularly to directions of extent of the cables coupled therebetween. 10 Advantageously, the cable support fixture of the machine allows individual cables to be secured and accessed independently during end-treatment, and minimises the distortion and breakage of fibres during polishing. In accordance with the invention, there is also provided an optical fibre polishing 15 machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including: (a) a polishing surface mounted on a turntable; (b) a cable support fixture coupled to a polishing fixture; and (c) a pivoting arm coupled to the cable support fixture for moving the cable support fixture and the polishing fixture between a loading position and a 20 polishing position, wherein the cable support fixture includes: (i) first and second locking hubs, each including an outer peripheral edge having a plurality of slots each being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said cables; and 25 (ii) a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an optical fibre cable to a respective one of the slots of the hubs. Preferably, the locking devices engage respective slots perpendicularly to directions of extent of the cables coupled therebetween. 30 Advantageously, the cable support fixture of the machine allows individual cables to be secured and accessed independently during end-treatment, and minimises the distortion and breakage of fibres during polishing.

H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -4 In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a cable support fixture for an optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including: (a) a locking hub including an outer peripheral edge having a plurality of slots each 5 being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said cables; and (b) a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an optical fibre cable to a respective one of said slots. 10 Preferably, the locking devices engage respective slots perpendicularly to directions of extent of the cables coupled therebetween. Advantageously, the cable support fixture allows individual cables to be secured and accessed independently during end-treatment, and minimises the distortion and 15 breakage of fibres during polishing. In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a cable support fixture for an optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including: 20 (a) first and second locking hubs, each including an outer peripheral edge having a plurality of slots each being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said cables; and (b) a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an optical fibre cable to a respective one of the slots of the hubs. 25 Preferably, the locking devices engage respective slots perpendicularly to directions of extent of the cables coupled therebetween. Advantageously, the cable support fixture allows individual cables to be secured and 30 accessed independently during end-treatment, and minimises the distortion and breakage of fibres during polishing. Brief Description of the Drawings 35 Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -5 non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an optical fibre polishing machine arranged in a condition of use; 5 Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a cable support fixture and a polishing fixture of the machine shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a cable support fixture shown in Figure 2 arranged in a condition of use; Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the cable support fixture shown in 10 Figure 3; Figure 5a is a top view of the cable support fixture shown in Figure 3; Figure 5b is an enlarged view of section "C" of the cable support fixture shown in Figure 5a with one of the fasteners partially removed; Figure 5c is a section view through the line A - A of the cable support fixture shown 15 in Figure 5a; Figure 6a is a side view of the cable support fixture shown in Figure 3; and Figure 6b is a cross section view through the line B - B of the cable support fixture shown in Figure 6a. 20 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The optical fibre polishing machine 10 shown in Figure 1 is used to assist in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables 12. The machine 10 includes: 25 (a) a polishing surface 14 mounted on a turntable 16; (b) a cable support fixture 18 coupled to a polishing fixture 20 in the manner shown in Figure 2; and (c) a pivoting arm 22 for moving the cable support fixture 18 between a loading position and a polishing position. 30 (d) a pivoting arm 22 coupled to the cable support fixture 18 for moving the cable support fixture 18 and the polishing fixture 20 between a loading position and a polishing position. As particularly shown in Figures 2 to 6b, the cable support fixture 18 includes first and 35 second locking hubs 26a, 26b that each include an outer peripheral edge 42 having a H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -6 plurality of slots 44 that are each shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of an optical fibre cable 12. The fixture 18 also includes a plurality of locking devices 28, each being adapted to secure an optical fibre cable 12 to a respective one of the slots 44 of the hubs 26a, 26b. 5 The locking devices 28 engage respective slots 44 in direction "DF" which is perpendicular to directions "Dc" of extent of the cables 12 coupled therebetween. The outer peripheral edge 42 of each locking hub 26a, 26b is semi circular. It is within the scope of the invention that the cable support fixture 18 could alternatively include one 10 or more hubs 26a, 26b to suit the needs of a particular application. Further, it is envisaged that the outer peripheral edges 42 of the hubs 26a, 26b could be arcuate, ovate or any other suitable shape that allows for a separation of the slots 44. As above mentioned, existing cable support fixtures secure sets of cables using a 15 single locking mechanism, and such that the secured cables may be aligned with the treatment surface at a variety of angles. The use of these fixtures results in an inefficient polishing end-treatment process for optical fibre cables due to an inability to access individual cables without disrupting all others in the same locking set, and due to the occurrence of fibre end distortion or fibre breakage when lateral polishing forces 20 are applied. The cable support fixture 18 presented herein provides a useful alternative by allowing independent access to cables 12 that are positioned perpendicularly to the polishing surface 14. As particularly shown in Figures 2 to 6b, the cable support fixture 18 is used to assist 25 in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibres 12. As shown, two semicircular locking hubs 26a, 26b coupled to a circular base member 24. The hubs 26a, 26b are spaced apart by a distance "X" to create a slot in which the pivoting arm 22 can engage the fixture 18. The distance "X" is preferably 33mm. The distance "X" is of sufficient magnitude to allow for the pivoting overarm to at least partially fit between the hubs 30 26a, 26b and couple with the fixture 18. The components of the cable support fixture 18 operate to secure optical fibre cables 12 of diameter 3.2mm or 3.8mm to respective sections of the locking hubs 26a, 26b. However, it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that other embodiments of 35 the cable support fixture 18 may exist to secure cables 12 of different types and sizes.

H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -7 These embodiments may include one or more locking hubs 26a, 26b with any suitable number of locking devices 28. The cable support fixture 18 may also, in other embodiments, comprise additional 5 display elements such as LEDs to indicate a support status (e.g. 'secured' or 'released') for a given cable. The skilled person will also note that, although the presented embodiment describes the use of a cable support fixture 18 with a polishing end treatment process, other embodiments may involve the use of a different end treatment process, whereby the properties of the cable support fixture 18 may be 10 advantageous for this process. The base member 24 provides structural support for the locking hubs 26a, 26b, locking devices 28, and secured cables 12. As particularly shown in Figures 5a and 5c, the base member 24 includes a central core 30 defining an inner cavity 32, a 15 treatment connection foot 34, and a conical section 36. In the described embodiment, the base 24 is constructed from a single piece of Aluminium alloy, with an anodised finish. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternative embodiments may use different materials to construct the fixture base, such as other metals or rigid plastics. 20 The conical section 36 separates the core 30 from the treatment foot 34. The foot 34 is cylindrical with diameter of 46mm and length 10mm, and is hollow in construction with holes 38 at the front and rear ends respectively. Central to the core 30 of the base 24 is the treatment fixture cavity 32. The treatment cavity 32 and foot 34 allow 25 the cable support fixture 18 to securely connect to the polishing fixture 20. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the design and/or dimensions of the core 30, conical section 36, foot 34, and treatment cavity 32 may vary in other embodiments depending on factors such as the specific polishing fixture 20 which the cable support fixture must connect to. 30 As particularly shown in Figure 6a and Figure 6b, the locking hubs 26a, 26b each take the shape of half of a solid conical section. Each hub 26a, 26b has dimensions comprising: 35 (a) a top surface of radius 40mm; H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 (b) a bottom surface of radius 23mm; and (c) a length of 55mm as measured from the top to bottom surfaces. As per the base 24, the locking hubs 26a, 26b are constructed from an Aluminium 5 alloy, with an anodised finish. The two locking hubs 26a, 26b are positioned opposing one another on the top of the core 30 of the base 24, with straight edges 40 opposing each other so that semi-circular edges 42 project radially outwards. As particularly shown in Figure 5c, the outer peripheral edges 42 project from 10 respective locking hubs 26a, 26b. The outer peripheral edges 42 of the hubs each include upper and lower chamfer edges 43a, 43b shaped to mate with corresponding edges 45a, 45b of the locking devices 28. The chamfer edges 43a, 43b preferably are at a 400 angle to the generally planar upper surfaces "P" of the hubs 26a, 26b. In the described embodiment the hubs 26a, 26b and the base 24 are constructed from 15 a single piece of solid material using permanent mould casting or a machined process. Alternatively, the hubs 26a, 26b and the base 24 are formed separately and are coupled together by a fastener. As particularly shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the slots 44 of the hubs 26a, 26b are 20 shape to at least partially receive, and seat therein, lateral sections of respective cables 12. The slots 44 are each positioned to cooperate with a corresponding locking device 28 such that a cable 12 can be secured therebetween. In the described embodiment, the slots 44 are arranged in pairs with three pairs per 25 locking hub 26a, 26b, supporting six cables 12. However, the hubs 26a, 26b can be configured with any other suitable arrangement of slots 44. The slots 44 are sized to support cables 12 with diameters in the range of 3.2mm to 3.8mm. As particularly shown in Figure 5c, when the arm 22 positions the polishing 30 fixture 20 in the polishing position shown in Figure 1, the slots 44 extend vertically, and are generally semicircular in cross-section. A direction of extent "Ds" of the slots 44 is perpendicular to a plane "P" of the top surface of the locking hubs 26a, 26b. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternative embodiments of the 35 invention may possess differences in the relative construction and configuration of the H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -9 base 24, locking hubs 26a, 26b. In the described embodiment the semi-conical platform structure of the hubs 26a, 26b facilitates convenient pair-wise arrangement of the secured cables 12 in a circular 5 orientation. However, any arbitrary platform shape may be implemented to achieve similar functionality. The locking devices 28 are employed to secure cables 12 to the locking hubs 26a, 26b. As particularly shown in Figure 5c, the devices 28 include a clamp 46, a spring 48, a 10 standoff casing 50, and a fastener 52. The clamp assembly 46 is constructed in the form of a tapered rectangular tube, with a distal end fitted with a handle tab 54 and the tapered proximal end fitted with a locking tab 56, whereby the locking tab 56 forms a vertically oriented semi-cylindrical locking catchment groove 58, corresponding to the locking surface slot 44. The outer peripheral edges 42 of the 15 hubs 26a, 26b each include upper and lower chamfer edges 43a, 43b shaped to mate with corresponding edges 45a, 45b of the grooves 58 locking devices 28. The chamfer edges 43a, 43b preferably are at an angle of 400 to the generally planar upper surfaces "P" of the hubs 26a, 26b. 20 In the present embodiment, the clamp 46 is of length 21 mm, with each having a handle tab 54 of length 10mm and width 3mm respectively oriented perpendicular to the clamp tube 46. The locking tab 56 is of length 4mm and width 12mm respectively, and is located at the opposite end of the clamp tube 46 to the handle tab 54. In the described embodiment the clamps 46 are constructed from rigid polyvinyl 25 chloride (PVC) plastic, however the skilled person in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of materials may be used alternatively. As particularly shown in Figures 5b, 5c and 6b, the taper lock 28 devices are configured by the insertion of the spring 48, standoff casing 50 and fastener 52 into 30 the distal end of the clamp tube cavity 60. In this embodiment, a compression spring 22 of 12mm is employed over a non tapered M4 socket head cap screw (SHCS) fastener 52 , which is enclosed within a standoff casing 50. When the cap screw 52, standoff casing 50, and compression spring 48 are inserted 35 into the clamp cavity 60, the cap screw 52 is used to fasten the resulting taper lock H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 - 10 device 28 to the locking hub 26a, 26b. As shown in Figures 5c and 6b, cavities 62 in the locking hubs 26a, 26b permit the fastening of the screw 52 which allows the tapered proximal end of a lock clamp 46 to be fixed against a locking surface hub 26a, 26b. On the locking hubs 26a, 26b, locking cavities 62 are located such that the 5 locking catchment groove 58 of each taper lock 28 aligns with the groove 44 within the locking hub 26a 26b. In the described embodiments, the taper locks 28 are arranged pair-wise in 'back-to back' configuration. In doing so, the use of locking surface space is improved. 10 However, other suitable combinations of the taper locks 28 may be implemented. When fixed to the locking hubs 26a, 26b, the taper lock devices 28 use the stored mechanical energy within the compression spring 48 to secure a cable 12 therebetween. Insertion of the screw 52 and standoff 50 into the locking hub cavity 15 62 compresses the spring 48 resulting in the exertion of a force onto the clamp assembly 46 and screw 52. The force exerted onto the clamp 46 secures a cable 12 to the locking hub 26a, 26b, when the cable 12 is placed within the cavity formed by the lock catchment groove 58 and the slot 44. The secured cable 12 may be released by a user through the application of a horizontal force to the clamp handle tab 54, in a 20 direction away from the cable support fixture 18, which is sufficient to overcome the compression spring force and therefore move the clamp 46 laterally allowing for the removal of the secured cable 12 from the grooves 44. In the described embodiment taper locks 28 are used to secure cables 12 with 25 diameters in a range of 3.2mm to 3.8mm to the locking hubs 26a, 26b in an alignment perpendicular to the polishing surface 14. The skilled person in the art will appreciate that variations in taper lock component construction may exist within other embodiments. For example, the size and shape of the clamps 46 may vary to support different sized cables or locking surface areas, and alternative fasteners 52 may be 30 employed to bind the locking components 46, 48, 50 to the locking hub 26a, 26b. As shown in Figure 1, the cable support fixture 18 of the described embodiment may be implemented for use with the Domaille HDC-5200 optic fibre cable polishing machine 10. The cable support fixture 18 connects to the Domaille HDC-5200 35 polishing machine 10 by insertion of the polisher central structure into the fixture H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 - 11 treatment foot 34, and by the subsequent use of a fastening pin 64 placed through the front or rear holes 38, to bind the fixture 18 to the polishing fixture 20. In this configuration the cable support fixture 18 may be used to secure individual optical fibre simplex cables, each with a diameter in the range of 3.2mm to 3.8mm, for end 5 surface polishing. As shown, each cable 12 is aligned perpendicularly with the polishing surface 14 of the Domaille HDC-5200. The fixture polishing process involves firstly removing the outer jacket and buffer coatings of the optical fibre cable 12 using a stripping tool. The stripped fibre may be 10 coated with a resin before cleaving to ensure a fibre end-surface which is properly aligned with the desired connector surface. The fibre cable 12 is inserted into the cable support fixture 18, oriented with the end to be polished facing down toward the surface 14, by selecting a locking device 28 which is not presently securing a cable 12. Application of a lateral force to the clamp handle 54 opens the cavity formed by 15 grooves 44 and 58 between the chosen locking device 28 and the locking hub 26a, 26b, which allows the cable 12 to be located moved into position. Releasing the locking device clamp 46 secures the cable 12 to the support fixture 18, with alignment perpendicular to a corresponding Domaille HDC-5200 polishing terminal 14. The fibre's end-surface may then be inserted into the Domaille HDC-5200 polishing fixture 20. 20 Fibres from a number of secured cables may be polished individually, or together as a batch. When polishing is completed for a secured fibre cable, the said cable may be disconnected from the Domaille HDC-5200 and subsequently removed from the cable support fixture 18, by application of a lateral force to the clamp handle 54 to open the cavity formed by grooves 44 and 58, without disturbing any other cable secured to the 25 support fixture 18. Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 30 In this specification and the claims that follow, unless stated otherwise, the word "comprise" and its variations, such as "comprises" and "comprising", imply the inclusion of a stated integer, step, or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 35 References in this specification to any prior publication, information derived from any H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 - 12 said prior publication, or any known matter are not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement, admission or suggestion that said prior publication, or any information derived from this prior publication or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which the specification 5 relates.

H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 - 13 List of Parts 10 Optical fibre polishing machine 12 Optical fibre cable 5 14 Polishing surface 16 Turntable 18 Cable support fixture 20 Polishing fixture 22 Pivoting over arm 10 24 Base member 26a, 26b Locking hub 28 Locking device 30 Core 32 Inner cavity 15 34 Treatment fixture foot 36 Conical section 38 Holes 40 Straight edge of locking hub 42 Outer peripheral edge of locking hub 20 43a, 43b Chamfer surface of outer peripheral edge of locking hub 44 Slots 45a, 45b Chamfer surface of locking device 46 Clamp 48 Compression spring 25 50 Standoff casing 52 Fastener 54 Handle 56 Locking tab 58 Locking catchment groove 30 60 Clamp cavity 62 Locking hub cavity 64 Fastening pin

Claims

1. An optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including: 5 (a) a polishing surface mounted on a turntable; (b) a cable support fixture coupled to a polishing fixture; and (c) a pivoting arm coupled to the cable support fixture for moving the cable support fixture and the polishing fixture between a loading position and a polishing position, 10 wherein the cable support fixture includes: (i) a locking hub including an outer peripheral edge having a plurality of slots each being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said cables; and (ii) a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an 15 optical fibre cable to a respective one of said slots.

2. The machine claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking devices engage respective slots perpendicularly to directions of extent of the cables coupled therebetween. 20

3. The machine claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outer peripheral edge of the locking hub is semi circular.

4. The machine claimed in claim 3, wherein the slots are arranged in pairs around the outer peripheral edge of the locking hub. 25

5. The machine claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the outer peripheral edge projects from the locking hub.

6. The machine claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer peripheral edge include 30 upper and lower chamfer edges shaped to mate with corresponding edges of the locking devices.

7. The machine claimed in claim 6, wherein the chamfer edges are at a 400 angle to a generally planar upper surface of the hub. 35 H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 - 15

8. The machine claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of the locking devices includes: (i) a clamp, (ii) a spring, 5 (iii) a standoff casing, and (iv) a fastener.

9. The machine claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of locking devices secures one of said cables to the locking hub. 10

10. The machine claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each of the plurality of the locking devices allows individual cables to be secured and removed from the hub without disturbing any other cable secured to the hub. 15

11. The machine claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the polishing fixture performs end treatment processing of the cables secured to the cable support fixture.

12. The machine claimed in claim 11, wherein said end treatment processing comprises optical fibre end-surface polishing. 20

13. An optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including: (a) a polishing surface mounted on a turntable; (b) a cable support fixture coupled to a polishing fixture; and 25 (c) a pivoting arm coupled to the cable support fixture for moving the cable support fixture and the polishing fixture between a loading position and a polishing position, wherein the cable support fixture includes: (i) first and second locking hubs, each including an outer peripheral 30 edge having a plurality of slots each being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said cables; and (ii) a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an optical fibre cable to a respective one of the slots of the hubs. H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -16

14. The machine claimed in claim 13, wherein the locking devices engage respective slots perpendicularly to directions of extent of the cables coupled therebetween. 5

15. The machine claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said outer peripheral edge of each locking hub is semi circular.

16. The machine claimed in claim 15, wherein the slots are arranged in pairs around said outer peripheral edges of the locking hubs. 10

17. The machine claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said outer peripheral edges project from respective locking hubs.

18. The machine claimed in claim 17, wherein said outer peripheral edges of the 15 hubs each include upper and lower chamfer edges shaped to mate with corresponding edges of the locking devices.

19. The machine claimed in claim 18, wherein the chamfer edges are 450 angle to a generally planar upper surfaces of the hubs. 20

20. The machine claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein each of the plurality of the locking devices includes: (i) a clamp, (ii) a spring, 25 (iii) a standoff casing, and (iv) a fastener.

21. The machine claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of locking devices secures one of said cables to a respective one of said locking hubs. 30

22. The machine claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein each of the plurality of the locking devices allows individual cables to be secured and removed from a respective one of said hubs without disturbing any neighbouring cable. H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -17

23. The machine claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the polishing fixture performs end treatment processing of the cables secured to the cable support fixture. 5

24. The machine claimed in claim 23, wherein said end treatment processing comprises optical fibre end-surface polishing.

25. A cable support fixture for an optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including: 10 (a) a locking hub including an outer peripheral edge having a plurality of slots each being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said cables; and (b) a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an optical fibre cable to a respective one of said slots. 15

26. The fixture claimed in claim 25, wherein the locking devices engage respective slots perpendicularly to directions of extent of the cables coupled therebetween.

27. The fixture claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the outer peripheral edge 20 of the locking hub is semi circular.

28. The fixture claimed in claim 27, wherein the slots are arranged in pairs around the outer peripheral edge of the locking hub. 25

29. The fixture claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the outer peripheral edge projects from the locking hub.

30. The fixture claimed in claim 29, wherein the outer peripheral edge include upper and lower chamfer edges shaped to mate with corresponding edges of the 30 locking devices.

31. The fixture claimed in claim 30, wherein the chamfer edges are 450 angle to a generally planar upper surface of the hub. H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 - 18

32. The fixture claimed in any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein each of the plurality of the locking devices includes: (i) a clamp, (ii) a spring, 5 (iii) a standoff casing, and (iv) a fastener.

33. The fixture claimed in claim 32, wherein each of the plurality of locking devices secures one of said cables to the locking hub. 10

34. The fixture claimed in any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein each of the plurality of the locking devices allows individual cables to be secured and removed from the hub without disturbing any other cable secured to the hub. 15

35. A cable support fixture for an optical fibre polishing machine for assisting in treatment of end surfaces of optical fibre cables, including: (a) first and second locking hubs, each including an outer peripheral edge having a plurality of slots each being shaped to at least partially receive, and seat therein, a lateral section of one of said cables; and 20 (b) a plurality of locking devices, each being adapted to secure an optical fibre cable to a respective one of the slots of the hubs.

36. The fixture claimed in claim 35, wherein the locking devices engage respective slots perpendicularly to directions of extent of the cables coupled therebetween. 25

37. The fixture claimed in claim 35 or claim 36, wherein said outer peripheral edge of each locking hub is semi circular.

38. The fixture claimed in claim 37, wherein the slots are arranged in pairs around 30 said outer peripheral edges of the locking hubs.

39. The machine claimed in claim 37or claim 38, wherein said outer peripheral edges project from respective locking hubs. H:\tld\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\6817359_ .doc-23/09/2014 -19

40. The fixture claimed in claim 39, wherein said outer peripheral edges of the hubs each include upper and lower chamfer edges shaped to mate with corresponding edges of the locking devices. 5

41. The fixture claimed in claim 40, wherein the chamfer edges are 450 angle to a generally planar upper surfaces of the hubs.

42. The fixture claimed in any one of claims 35 to 41, wherein each of the plurality of the locking devices includes: 10 (i) a clamp, (ii) a spring, (iii) a standoff casing, and (iv) a fastener. 15

43. The fixture claimed in claim 42, wherein each of the plurality of locking devices secures one of said cables to a respective one of said locking hubs.

44. The fixture claimed in any one of claims 35 to 43, wherein each of the plurality of the locking devices allows individual cables to be secured and removed from a 20 respective one of said hubs without disturbing any neighbouring cable.