Furukawa FITEL S185 Splicers Target Specialty Fiber Applications

Laser Components Germany GmbH has published details on the Furukawa FITEL S185 fusion splicer series, aimed at addressing the growing demands of industrial and specialty fiber applications. These include emerging fiber designs such as multicore, hollow-core, and high-power fibers, which present unique splicing challenges.

The S185 splicers feature an advanced alignment system that compensates for six axes: X, Y, Z, rotation (θ), pitch, and yaw. This comprehensive alignment is critical, especially for multicore fibers where even minor rotational misalignment can cause significant signal attenuation. In high-power applications, incorrect angular alignment can also lead to localized overheating, potentially damaging the fiber.

Furukawa has enhanced its splicing process with STA2D (Sequential Triangular Asymmetric Arc Discharging) technology. This method ignites the arc between three electrodes sequentially, unlike traditional simultaneous ignition. This controlled heat distribution allows for precise fiber shaping, resulting in splices with minimal attenuation and homogeneous glass transitions, leading to improved signal quality and robust mechanical performance.

Dr. Andreas Hornsteiner, Product Manager at LASER COMPONENTS, stated that the FITEL S185 series represents the current standard in splicing technology. He noted that the selection of the most suitable variant depends on specific application requirements, and their product engineers collaborate with customers to ensure the right tool is chosen for each project. These splicers are designed to handle even the most complex fiber types reliably.