JP3750986B2 - Optical fiber assembly end face processing method and processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing an end face of an optical fiber assembly in which a ferrule for aligning the optical axis of a connection tip of an optical connector is provided at an optical fiber cable terminal portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An optical fiber assembly that is an optical connector and is configured by covering a terminal portion of an optical fiber cable with a ferrule, in order to suppress connection loss and reflected return light with the fiber terminal of the connection partner, End face processing is performed so that the end face and the end face of the ferrule become a mirror surface by cutting or polishing.
[0003]
Conventionally, the following are well-known methods and apparatuses for processing an end face of an optical fiber assembly included in the optical connector manufacturing process. One is a method and apparatus for polishing by pressing the end face of the fiber assembly against an abrasive such as abrasive paper set on a rotary table. One is a method and apparatus for melting and transferring the end face of the fiber assembly with a hot plate heated by a heater. Furthermore, end face processing methods and apparatuses called hot knives and cold cuts are known.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, there are the following problems common to any of the conventional methods and apparatuses for processing the end face of the optical fiber assembly.
[0005]
When performing the end face processing, the core is assembled in advance by protruding an extra length of about 1 mm, for example, from the end face of the tip of the ferrule, and the core protrusion is cut or polished into a mirror surface. Therefore, the first part processed by cutting or polishing is the core protrusion, and when the core protrusion is scraped off by cutting feed, the cutting eventually proceeds to the end face of the tip of the ferrule.
[0006]
Therefore, the problem is that since the core protrusion starts to be processed first, depending on the skill level of the operator, do not damage the core or point the core shaft straight to the surface of the friction material on the device side. In the case where it is shaken and hit from an oblique direction, the quality of the finished product is deteriorated or deteriorated, which causes a decrease in productivity.
[0007]
Furthermore, one of the problems is that the surface of the core is generally covered with a clad layer, but the clad layer and the core are fused by frictional heat with the abrasive during processing of the core protrusion. There is a problem that mixes systematically.
[0008]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for processing an optical fiber assembly end face, which is capable of obtaining a certain processing accuracy without being affected by the skill level of work and improving productivity.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a method of processing an end face of an optical fiber assembly 1 in which a core 3 protrudes from an end portion of an optical fiber cable 2. The core 3 of the optical fiber cable 2 is attached to the core support portion 14 formed at the distal end portion of the ferrule body 11 that is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided as a step part having a different diameter that is slightly smaller than the core 3 of the optical fiber cable 2. Then, when the cutting by the rotary cutting tool proceeds and the cutting blade of the rotary cutting tool reaches the core protruding portion 3a of the core 3, the cutting blade of the rotary cutting tool is connected to the core protruding portion 3a. It is characterized in that the ferrule 10 is cut at the same time across the tip.
[0010]
From the above, both the core 3 and the ferrule 10 are simultaneously cut with the cutting blade of the rotary cutting tool straddling the ferrule 10 even during the cutting of the core 3. Therefore, the end face processing of the core 3 can be performed while being protected by the hard ferrule 10.
[0011]
Further, the optical fiber assembly end face processing method according to claim 2 is characterized in that the cutting feed direction of the rotary cutting tool 50 is a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the ferrule 10 .
[0012]
From the above, by making the cutting feed direction orthogonal to the axis of the ferrule 10, the rotary cutting tool inevitably starts to cut the ferrule 10 first, so that the core 3 can be protected from the tool impact force at the beginning of cutting.
[0013]
Further, method of processing an optical fiber assembly end face according to claim 3 is the invention according to the claim 1, wherein the rotary cutting tool 50 is a cutting tool had use the end mill 20.
[0014]
From the above, when the end mill 20 of a milling machine is used as a rotary cutting tool for machining, the cutting blade is discontinuous, so that there is less contact with the core 3 and the ferrule 10 that are the workpiece to be cut during one rotation. Generation of frictional heat is suppressed.
[0015]
Further, method of processing an optical fiber assembly end face according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotary cutting tool 50 is a cutting tool had use a metal saw 55.
[0016]
From the above, when the metal saw 55 is used as a rotary cutting tool, the cutting edge of the metal saw 55 is intermittent and discontinuous like a saw blade, so that frictional heat can be suppressed for the workpiece to be cut.
[0017]
On the other hand, the processing device of the optical fiber assembly end surface of claim 5 according to the present invention, in the processing apparatus of the end face of the optical fiber assembly 1 is protruded a core 3 from the terminal portion of the optical fiber cable 2, tubular An optical fiber in which the core 3 of the optical fiber cable 2 is attached to a core support portion 14 provided as a step portion having a different diameter that is slightly smaller than the core 3 of the optical fiber cable 2 formed at the tip of the ferrule body 11 formed in An assembly 1 and a work holder 40 that is positioned on a table on the bed and holds one or more of the optical fiber assemblies 1 with the tip of the ferrule 10 and the protruding portion 3a of the core 3 looking outward. An end mill 20 which is mounted on a spindle of a rotary spindle and is automatically fed relative to the work holder 40 during rotary cutting of the ferrule tip 14 and the core protrusion 3a. It is characterized in that is.
[0018]
With the above-described configuration, the end mill 20 is driven to rotate relative to the table 32 on which the work holder 40 is positioned in a state where a plurality of the optical fiber assemblies 1 that are workpieces are simultaneously positioned and held on the work holder 40. Can be used for efficient processing and production.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for processing an end face of an optical fiber assembly according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, an optical fiber cable 2 in this case, which constitutes an optical fiber assembly 1 incorporated in an optical connector, includes a resin fiber core 3 having a clad layer formed on the surface thereof, For example, the surface is covered with a primary sheath 4 and a secondary sheath 5, for example.
[0021]
A ferrule 10 shown in a partial cross-section in the drawing is attached to the cable tip so that the primary sheath 4 exposed by peeling off an appropriate length of the tip of the secondary sheath 5 is covered from the outside. Yes. As a material of the ferrule 10, for example, a relatively hard resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) can be used. On the outer periphery of the ferrule body 11 formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in the figure, flanges 12 and 13 for fixing to an optical connector (not shown) are provided. Further, a core support portion 14 is provided as a step portion having a different diameter with a small diameter at the tip of the ferrule body 11.
[0022]
The core 3 is inserted into the core support 14 and the core protrusion 3a having a length of, for example, 1 mm or more is protruded as an extra length from the tip surface of the core support 14 with an appropriate length for end face processing. It is assembled.
[0023]
The optical fiber assembly 1 is positioned by the processing apparatus of the first embodiment when processing the end face of the fiber. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber assembly 1 which is a workpiece to be cut is positioned on a table 32 of the apparatus main body. The apparatus is also provided with a spindle spindle, and an end mill 20 attached to the spindle spindle is fed in the two axis X and Y axis directions of the vertical direction X and the horizontal direction Y shown in the figure. In this example, the end mill 20 is automatically fed in such a biaxial direction to the fixed table 32. However, the table 32 side can also be automatically fed, and automatic processing related to cutting relative to the workpiece to be cut. Feeding is possible.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the end mill 20 sets the ferrule in the cutting feed direction (Y-axis direction) so that the cutting blade 21 starts cutting from the tip surface of the core support 14 at the tip of the ferrule 10 in the optical fiber assembly 1. Initial positioning is made orthogonal to the 10 axes. The initially positioned end mill 20 is automatically fed in the X and Y axis directions by the operation of the apparatus, but in some cases, it is automatically fed only on the vertical Y axis. In this way, when the core support portion 14 at the front end portion of the ferrule 10 is cut by a predetermined amount, the cutting is eventually set to shift to the core protruding portion 3a at the front end portion of the core 3.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows that the cutting blade 21 of the end mill 20 finishes cutting the core support portion 14 of the ferrule 10 first, and the core protruding portion 3a is being cut or finished at the next stage by automatic feeding. Cutting is shown in a state of straddling both the support portion 14 and the core-side core protruding portion 3a. In this case, a state in which the end mill 20 is being automatically fed in the direction of the symbol S that is the vertical Y-axis direction is shown.
[0026]
That is, as is clear from the above, the portion to be cut first is the hard ferrule side core support portion 14 and the portion to be cut next is the core protruding portion 3a. Simultaneous cutting is performed while being protected by the hard ferrule side core support portion 14. Therefore, regardless of the skill level of the operator, the frequency of damaging the core protruding portion 3a is remarkably reduced and the quality can be maintained, so that the productivity can be increased.
[0027]
Therefore, as shown in the processing apparatus of the first embodiment in FIG. 3, in this case, a table 32 is disposed on the bed 31 of the apparatus main body 30, and an optical fiber assembly that is a plurality of works at once on the table 32. 1, in this case, a work holder 40 of a positioning jig for holding three optical fiber assemblies 1 (shown by three optical fiber cables 2 in the drawing) is set in a stationary state. Further, a spindle of a tool mounting spindle is provided from the top plate of the apparatus main body 30, and the end mill 20 is detachably chucked on the spindle.
[0028]
As an embodiment of the work holder 40, 40A shown in FIG. 4 is for holding only one set of workpieces to be cut, and the optical fiber cable 2 and the ferrule 10 in the set of optical fiber assemblies 1 are fitted and positioned. Grooves 41 and 42 are formed for this purpose. The work holder 40B according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is for holding 5 sets of workpieces to be cut, and the corresponding number of concave grooves 43 to 47 and 43a to 47a are provided.
[0029]
In the end face machining method of the first embodiment using this end mill 20, since the end mill 20 is first brought into contact with the hard ferrule 10 by automatic feeding by the operation of the apparatus, the cutting is started. Since the ferrule 10 is simultaneously cut across the ferrule 10, it can be protected by the ferrule 10 and can avoid the initial end mill contact impact force.
[0030]
If the number of cutting blades 21 of the end mill 20 is one or more and a plurality of cutting blades, the burden of the cutting amount per sheet is reduced, and the end face can be cut to a machining accuracy close to a mirror surface.
[0031]
FIG. 6 shows an end face machining method according to the second embodiment using a rotary cutting tool 50 in place of the end mill 20 with respect to the end face machining method using the end mill 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the processing apparatus. In this case, a rotary motor 52 as a power source is provided on the base 51 of the apparatus, and the rotary cutting tool 50 is chucked on the spindle shaft 53 of the rotary output shaft, and the optical fiber assembly 1 of the workpiece to be cut which has been positioned. The end face processing is applied to.
[0032]
Also in this case, as the gist of the method of the present invention, first, the core support 14 on the ferrule 10 side is first cut from the tip surface with the rotary cutting tool 50, and is automatically fed at the next stage to advance the cutting to the core protrusion 3a. .
[0033]
FIG. 8 shows a metal saw 55 which is an example of the rotary cutting tool 50, and a saw blade 55b is formed on the outer periphery of the main body 55a. Similarly, FIG. 9 shows a dicing saw 56 as an example of another rotary cutting tool 50, and a circular blade 56b is formed along the outer periphery of the main body 56a. In addition to those shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, there is a wire cut as an example of the rotary cutting tool.
[0034]
By the way, in the case of the metal saw 55 shown in FIG. 8, since it cuts with the saw blade 55b, a process end surface is comparatively smooth. On the other hand, in the case of the dicing saw 56 of FIG. 9, since the circular blade 56b is one continuous blade, the contact friction with the workpiece end face to be cut on the workpiece side also continues. Therefore, there is a difficulty in that the end face to be cut is heated and melted easily. In the case of wire cutting (not shown), if the wire is shaken during cutting, there is an inconvenience that the end surface to be machined undulates, resulting in poor quality.
[0035]
Considering comprehensively from each of the above embodiments, when the method of the present invention for cutting the ferrule 10 first and cutting the core 3 from the first time is executed, the cutting blade is “like the end mill 20 or the metal saw 55 of FIG. It can be said that the “discontinuous blade” is preferable because the frictional heat is less likely to be generated on the end surface to be cut than the “continuous blade” as in the dicing saw 56 of FIG.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the processing method of the end face of the optical fiber assembly according to claim 1 according to the present invention is such that the ferrule is attached to the end portion of the optical fiber cable, and the core is attached from the end face of the tip end portion of the ferrule. When processing the end face of the protruding optical fiber assembly, the soft core is first cut from the hard ferrule, and then the soft core is cut. Since both the core and the ferrule are cut at the same time, the end face of the core can be processed while being protected by the hard ferrule, which is effective in suppressing problems such as damage to the core during work.
[0037]
Further, in the method of processing the end face of the optical fiber assembly according to claim 2, since the cutting feed direction of the rotary cutting tool is orthogonal to the axial direction of the ferrule, the rotary cutting tool inevitably cuts the ferrule first. First, it is effective to protect the core from the tool impact force at the beginning of cutting.
[0038]
Further, in the processing method of the end face of the optical fiber assembly according to claim 3, the end blade is used as a rotary cutting tool, and the cutting blade is discontinuous. There is little contact with the ferrule, and the generation of frictional heat is suppressed.
[0039]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of processing an end face of an optical fiber assembly. If a metal saw is used as the rotary cutting tool, the cutting blade is intermittently discontinuous like a saw blade. Can reduce frictional heat.
[0040]
On the other hand, the optical fiber assembly end face processing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention rotates the end mill while simultaneously positioning and holding a plurality of optical fiber assemblies that are workpieces to be cut on the work holder. Since the workpiece holder is automatically positioned relative to the table on which the work holder is positioned, efficient machining and production can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an aspect of first cutting a ferrule with an end mill in an end face machining method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view with a partial cross section showing an aspect in which a core is being cut while being protected by a ferrule in this example.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a work holder corresponding to one of the optical fiber assemblies which are workpieces to be cut in the apparatus of this example.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing work holders corresponding to a plurality of optical fiber assemblies which are workpieces to be cut in the apparatus of this example.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an aspect of cutting using a rotary cutting tool instead of an end mill in the end face machining method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of an apparatus for executing an end face machining method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a metal saw as an example of a rotary cutting tool in the end face machining method of the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a dicing saw as another example of the rotary cutting tool in the end face machining method according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical fiber assembly 2 Optical fiber cable 3 Core 3a Core protrusion part 4 Primary sheath 5 Secondary sheath 10 Ferrule 11 Ferrule main body 12, 13 Flange 14 Core support part 20 End mill 21 Cutting blade 30 Processing apparatus main body 32 Table 40 Work holder 50 Rotary cutting tool 55 Metal saw 56 Dicing saw

Claims (5)

In the processing method of the end face of the optical fiber assembly in which the core protrudes from the end of the optical fiber cable,
The optical fiber cable is formed in a cylindrical shape at the end portion of the optical fiber cable, and is provided on a core support portion formed at the distal end portion of the ferrule main body that is provided as a different diameter step portion that is slightly smaller in diameter than the core of the optical fiber cable. Attach the core and cover the ferrule body,
When proceeding cutting with rotary cutting tool is a cutting edge of the rotating cutting tool has reached the core projecting portion of the core, thereby straddle the cutting edge of the rotary cutting tool tip of the core projecting portion and the ferrule A method for processing an end face of an optical fiber assembly, wherein the end surface is simultaneously cut. 2. The method for processing an end face of an optical fiber assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a cutting feed direction of the rotary cutting tool is a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the ferrule. The rotary cutting tool, method of processing an optical fiber assembly end face according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool had use of the end mill. The rotary cutting tool, method of processing an optical fiber assembly end face according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool had use a metal saw. In a processing apparatus for an end face of an optical fiber assembly in which a core protrudes from an end portion of an optical fiber cable,
An optical fiber assembly in which the core of the optical fiber cable is mounted on a core support portion provided as a step portion having a different diameter that is slightly smaller than the core of the optical fiber cable formed at the tip of the ferrule body formed into a cylindrical shape; ,
A work holder that is positioned on a table on a bed and holds one or more of the optical fiber assemblies in a state where the tip of the ferrule and the protruding portion of the core are looked outward;
An end mill that is mounted on a spindle of a rotating spindle and is automatically fed relative to the work holder during rotary cutting of the ferrule tip and the core protrusion;
An apparatus for processing an end face of an optical fiber assembly, comprising:

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