UV Curing: The Future of Optical Fiber Manufacturing

With the increasing demand for optical fiber cables, especially in the telecommunications industry, manufacturers are constantly seeking ways to improve manufacturing efficiency as well as the quality and durability of their products. The use of UV curing in optical fiber manufacturing provides numerous benefits, such as increased productivity, improved quality, and reduced waste, making it an attractive option for the industry.

Our OmniCure^® AC8225-F+ and AC9225-F UV LED curing systems are especially designed for fiber curing applications. Our patented LED control technology provides exceptional uniformity and enables customers to easily scale production speeds without complex changes in integration.

UV curing applications in optical fiber manufacturing include marking, coating, bonding, and terminating optical fibers. UV-curable inks are used to mark plastic optical fiber cables with clear and durable text, barcodes, or logos, while UV-curable coatings can be applied to protect fibers from environmental factors and improve their optical performance. UV-curable adhesives are used to bond optical fibers to other components, and UV-curable resins can be used to terminate optical fibers into connectors or ferrules.

UV-curable coatings provide protection to optical fibers from environmental factors such as moisture, heat and abrasion, while also improving the optical performance of the fibers. Different types of UV- curable coatings are available, each with their own advantages and suitability for specific applications.

UV Curing for Bonding and Termination of Optical Fibers

UV-curable adhesives and resins are used in optical fiber manufacturing to provide strong and durable bonds and terminations. UV-curable adhesives are applied to bond optical fibers to other components, such as connectors or substrates. Our UV Curing systems are used to cure these adhesives to ensure a strong and durable bond.  UV-curable resins are used to end optical fibers into connectors or ferrules. The resin is applied to the end of the fiber and cured using our UV Curing systems that deliver the required UV light for a reliable and high-performance termination. This termination process is essential for ensuring optimal optical performance and prevention of signal loss.

In recent years, there have been several advancements in UV curing technology that have improved the process of marking optical fiber cables, including the use of LED-based curing technology. Our OmniCure LED curing solutions offer a more precise and controlled curing process, allowing for better control of ink viscosity and curing properties. Other benefits include:

• Contactless ink jetting/UV curing virtually eliminates risk of cable damage compared to conventional marking techniques
• UV cured markings are highly durable and do not fade or rub off over time
• Ribbon backing material is not required thereby improving environmental sustainability by reducing waste
   

In summary, the use of advanced UV LED curing systems such as the OmniCure AC8225-F+ and AC9225-F for optical fiber manufacturing provides numerous benefits including:

• Faster curing times
• Improved marking quality and precision
• Reduced energy consumption
• Longer lifespan compared to traditional UV lamps
• Lower maintenance costs
• Higher productivity
• Reduced carbon emissions