Large diameter optical fibers are increasingly important in the development of new optical technologies. Cleaving these fibers for presents many challenges, more so as the fiber diameter increases. Low angle offsets and smooth, flat endfaces are required. Many fibers are non-round or have internal structures that interfere with conventional cleaving. With some fibers priced in hundreds of dollars per meter, the length of cutoff scrap must be minimized.

The 3SAE EndFace Prep Station meets these challenges with a novel, polishing-based design that now features both flat and angle polishing. The results are consistent, even for shaped fibers. The endfaces are flat and highly polished. The EPS is not an adapted connector polisher – it is a purpose-built LD fiber preparation unit optimized for splicing and other large diameter fiber termination applications.