DE3241257A1 - METHOD FOR PRODUCING COVERED LIGHT-WAVE GUIDES - Google Patents

Description

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T. Hall-1

Process for the production of coated optical waveguides

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1.

Optical fibers for communications engineering are typical wise made of glass, which are provided with a cover for their protection , whereby their handling is also facilitated. Usually this cover consists of a first plastic coating, which is applied simultaneously with the drawing of the bare light wire from a preform, and a second plastic coating, usually applied by extrusion.

In an optical cable with many optical fibers is . it is advantageous if a color marking system is used to differentiate of the individual optical fibers from each other is. This was achieved by adding paint to the extrusion compound of the second plastic coating. Here arise differently colored optical fibers, of which a large number of each must be in stock, since it is not known in advance which optical cables and which colors the fiber optics are required.

ZT / P1-Wr / V
02.11.1982

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The invention is based on the object of providing a method of Specify the type mentioned at the beginning, with the individual L. Color marking can be generated in a simple manner.

Thanks to the new process, all lightwave guides can use the get the same basic color in their coating, so that the The stock to be kept is reduced. Only with special use is the respective color marking applied to the required one Length applied. Advantageously, the color marking when winding up the one provided with the second plastic coating Lichtwel lenLeiters or when unwinding the optical waveguide from a reel of a stranding machine.

The invention is based on a drawing of a Embodiment explained in more detail. The only figure shows a station for applying the ink for color marking.

Optical fiber made of quartz glass with a doped core made of quartz glass, typically with a diameter of 125 öJtn, are immediately drawn from a preform with a first thin plastic coating. This plastic cover Zug protects the surface of the freshly drawn fiber optic cable, from atmospheric influences and prevents or reduces the reduction in the tensile strength of the optical waveguide. The fiber optic cables protected in this way are described below provided with a second, thicker sheathing that reduces the diameter of the optical waveguide to up to 1 mm brings. Typically, this second envelope consists of Polyamide and it is applied by extrusion. It Other materials and other methods of application can also be used.

The one with the first plastic cover and the one with the first and a second plastic-coated optical waveguide are then transformed into optical cables until they are processed

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stored. For this purpose, the fiber optic cables are placed on pay-off spools from VerseiImase hinen (not shown) in corresponding Lengths wound up.

On the way from the pay-off spools to the stranding head of the versing machine pass the fiber optic stations to Applying the ink for the color marking of which one is shown in the figure. The optical fiber 5 is pulled through a wiper 4 made of felt. The wiper 4 is constantly kept moist with a quick-drying ink, which comes from a container 3, the upper or can be arranged below the wiper 4. The friction of the felt generated by the wiper 4 on the optical waveguide 5 good coverage of ink and even Retraction force in the optical fiber during the process the color marking and stranding.

A guide nipple 1 and a ring 6 for holding the container 3 are arranged on an adjustable arm 2 in such a way that the wiper 4 and the container 3 each other can move freely in the vertical in the ring 6, the ring 6 itself being able to rotate on the arm 2. Therefore, the Wiper 4 automatically all during the stranding process Follow movements of the optical waveguide 5.

Suitable inks are commercially available from Edding available under the designations T 25, T 100 and T 1000.

In some cases the ones with the thin plastic cover will be provided lightwave without the second, thicker covering further processed, e.g. if there are several loose can be arranged in a protection tube. In these cases the color marking is done in the same way as described applied to the thin plastic coating.

Claims (4)

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ELECTRIC
CORPORATION ,, NEW YORK T.HaLL-1 Claims 1 _q Method for the production of encased lightwave conductors, whereby the bare lightwave conductor is drawn from a preform and at the same time provided with a sheathing, characterized in that a color marking is then carried out by applying an ink. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the immediately applied Wrapping is later provided with a second wrapping, characterized in that the second wrapping with the Color marking is provided » 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the application of the ink for the color marking at the same time . with the winding of the fiber optic cable C5) onto an or with unwinding from a spool of a sealing machine happened. 4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that that the light wave conductor (5) crosswise to one with ink soaked wiper (4) made of felt is passed over. ZT / PI-Wr / V ^x - November 2nd "1982 - 2 -