Vytran® CO₂ Laser End-Cap Splicer

• Includes End-Cap Splicer Workstation and Computer with Control Software
• CO₂ Laser Provides Uniform Heating Necessary for Large-Diameter Splicing
• Automatic Fiber Alignment
• Ideal for Splicing Single Mode, Multimode, and Specialty Fibers
• No Consumables Required

The GLZ4001EC CO₂ Laser End-Cap Splicer Workstation integrates the furnace tower, fiber holding blocks, computer with operation and process development software, and other operational equipment into an easy-to-use rolling cart that can be positioned anywhere in the lab.

This workstation features automatic fiber alignment and is specially designed for fusing large end caps to single mode, multimode, and other specialty fiber using the True Core Imaging Technology. Precision fiber handlers can translate and position a fiber in XY with a resolution of 0.2 µm and translate along the fiber axis (Z-axis) up to 10 mm with a resolution of 0.25 µm. This allows the furnace to precisely and uniformly heat the fiber or end cap to ensure a high-quality splice directly to end caps up to Ø5 mm. With a tapered lead-in, end caps up to Ø9.50 mm can be spliced.

The workstation includes the fiber holders, optical heads, furnace tower, CCD camera for imaging, PC and monitor pre-installed with the control software, and mirror tower for side-view imaging.

Top and bottom inserts for the fiber holders, both of which are required to operate the splicer workstation, can be purchased separately below. Our end-cap holders (sold separately below) can hold larger end caps from Ø0.95 mm to Ø9.50 mm using vacuum suction, a flexure clamp, or a magnetic lid.

Installation, commissioning, and training by one of our application engineers is included with the purchase of a system.

• Top Inserts for Fiber Holding Blocks
• Accepts Fiber Outer Diameter (Cladding/Coating) from 57 µm to 3.198 mm (See the Fiber Holder Insert Tab for Information on Choosing Inserts)
• Single-Sided and Dual-Sided Inserts Available (See Table to the Right for Details)
• Also Compatible with Automate Glass Processors, LDC401 Series Fiber Cleavers, FPS301 Stripping and Cleaning Station, and LFS4100 Splicing System

Fiber Holder Inserts, which consist of one top insert and either a bottom or transfer insert, are placed in the fiber holding blocks of the optical glass processor to secure the fiber during splicing or tapering. The inserts clamp the cladding, buffer, or coating of the fiber and can accommodate outer diameters of up to 3.198 mm. Please refer to the Fiber Holder Insert tab for more information on pairing the top and bottom inserts sold here.

The VHA standard top inserts come in single-sided and dual-sided versions. These standard inserts can also be used in the Automated Glass Processors, CO₂ Laser Glass Processor, LDC401 Series of Fiber Cleavers, FPS301 Stripping and Cleaning Station, and LFS4100 Splicing System.

• Bottom Fiber Inserts with V-Groove(s) for Fiber Holding Blocks
• Compatible with Cladding/Coating Diameters from 112 µm to 3.198 mm (See the Fiber Holder Insert Tab for Information on Choosing Standard or Transfer Inserts)
• Transfer Inserts for Moving Fiber Between Vytran Systems
• Inserts with Vacuum Holes for Aligning Smaller Fibers (<Ø1047 µm) in V-Groove

Fiber Holder Inserts, which consist of one top insert and a bottom insert, are placed in the fiber holding blocks of the splicer workstation to secure the fiber during splicing or tapering. Bottom inserts are magnetically held within the fiber holding blocks of the splicer workstation and other compatible systems. The V-groove machined into the bottom inserts ensures the fiber is centered within the fiber holder; inserts with different V-groove sizes are available (see the Fiber Holder Insert tab for more information on pairing top and bottom standard or transfer inserts). Vacuum holes at the bottom of the transfer inserts are used for holding and aligning small fibers within the V-groove.

Two types of bottom inserts are compatible with the splicer workstation: transfer bottom inserts and standard bottom inserts. Transfer bottom inserts (indicated with Item #'s starting with VHF) allow for a single fiber to be transferred between the LDC401 Series of Fiber Cleavers, FPS301 Stripping and Cleaning Station, and the GLZ4001EC workstation with minimal loss of alignment. For example, a fiber can be placed in a transfer insert and cleaved using the LDC401 cleaver, then the entire transfer insert can be placed in the GLZ4001EC for splicing. This process works because the transfer inserts are precisely located within each Vytran system, and the VHT1 Transfer Clamp (sold directly below) prevents axial movement of the fiber during transport. Transfer inserts are equipped with vacuum holes that provide a small suction force to hold the fiber in place. All of these transfer inserts require the VHT1 Transfer Clamp (sold below); transfer inserts for fiber outer diameters ≤550 µm also require a Graphite V-Groove (sold below).

Standard Fiber Holder Bottom Inserts (indicated by Item #'s starting with VHE) can be used with fibers with large-diameter fibers. These inserts come in single-sided and dual-sided versions. The standard bottom inserts can also be used in the LDC401 Series of Fiber Cleavers, FPS301 Stripping and Cleaning Station, Automated Glass Processors and LFS4100 Splicing System. Unlike transfer inserts, alignment of the fibers will not be maintained when these inserts are transferred between systems.

• Clamp and Graphite V-Grooves Used with Transfer Bottom Inserts to Move Fiber Between Vytran Systems
• One VHT1 Transfer Clamp Required with Transfer Bottom Inserts
• Graphite V-Groove for Supporting Smaller Fibers from Ø80 µm to Ø550 µm During Splicing
• Transfer Clamps are Also Compatible with LDC401 Series of Fiber Cleavers and FPS301 Stripping and Cleaning Station

These Transfer Clamps and V-Grooves are used with the VHF Transfer Bottom Inserts sold directly above to move a single fiber between various Vytran systems with minimal loss of alignment. For example, a fiber can be placed in a transfer insert and cleaved using the LDC401 Fiber Cleaver. Then, the entire transfer insert and fiber can be moved to the GLZ4001EC for splicing.

The VHT1 clamp secures transfer inserts with a magnetic lid that prevents axial movement of the fiber and can be used to hold the insert during transport without touching the fiber itself. For fibers with diameters ≤550 µm, a graphite V-groove is available to support the fiber when splicing (please see the size table to the right for more information). To provide extended support along the length of the fiber and reduce the amount of overhang during processing, we also offer 0.594" long V-grooves (Item #'s VHG125L, VHG250L, and VHG500L). The graphite V-grooves are secured by tightening two setscrews on the transfer insert. For information on how to assemble transfer inserts, see the Fiber Holder Inserts tab.

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An Ø8 mm end cap with a Ø1 mm lead-in is secured within the front clamp of the ECH8C.

• For Holding Ø0.95 mm to Ø9.50 mm End Caps During Splicing
• Versions Equipped with Vacuum Suction, Clamp, or Magnetic Lid Available
• Compatible with Fiber Holding Blocks on Splicer Workstation

These holders secure and position end caps in the splicer workstation during the fusion process. Holders for end caps with outer diameters ranging from 0.95 mm to 9.50 mm are available.

Holder with Vacuum Suction
The ECH1V, ECH15V, and ECH2V End-Cap Holders use suction force to hold smaller Ø1.0 mm, Ø1.5 mm, and Ø2.0 mm end caps respectively within the steel tube holder. Suction is generated through the flexible tube via the connector plugged into the vacuum line labeled "VACUUM" at the rear of the workstation. To mount an end cap within the holder, pick up the end cap with tweezers and load it into the holder. The steel tube that holds the end cap features an internal step to prevent an end cap from being pulled into the steel tube entirely. Vacuum-style holders can be held between two fiber holding block inserts (Item #s VHA20 and VHE20) which can be purchased separately.

Holders with Flexure Clamp
The ECH4C, ECH5C, and ECH8C Holders use a flexure clamp that does not require a vacuum to operate and allows an end cap to be placed in close proximity to the furnace tower. These holders use a two-clamp system that enables adjustment of the flexure clamp position on the holder in order to accommodate different end-cap lengths from 2.5 mm to 10 mm. Tighten the screw using a torque wrench with a 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex to a torque of 0.04 N·m for best performance; do not overtighten the screw. These holders are directly compatible with the fiber holding block; they are used in place of a bottom insert in the fiber holding block.

Holders with Magnetic Lid
The ECH8L Holder features a hinged magnetic lid and a nylon-tipped setscrew to secure end caps up to Ø9.50 mm in place. To use, place the end cap on the v-groove and gently tighten the set screw using a 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver (not included). Overtightening the setscrew will cause the lid to lift and decrease the holding force on the end cap. This holders is directly compatible with the fiber holding block; it is used in place of a bottom insert in the fiber holding block.

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An example application shows the GPXM45 Insert being used in Top View to inspect the end face of an endcapped fiber on the GLZ4001EC CO₂ Laser End-Cap Splicer Workstation.

• For Inspection of Fiber End Faces and Alignment of Fiber Components 
• 10 mm Square 45° Inspection Mirror
• Also Compatible with the LFS4100 Splicer, GPX3400 and GPX3600 Glass Fiber Processing Stations, GPX3800, GPX3850, and GPX3900 Glass Fiber Processing Stations, and the GPX4000LZ CO2 Laser Glass Processor Workstation.

The GPXM45 Insert with 45° Mirror provides an additional method for inspection of fiber end faces and alignment of fiber components. A fiber holding block on any of the compatible Vytran systems listed above secures the mirror insert in the same way as a fiber holder bottom insert. This mirror provides an additional view for the GLZ4001EC workstation, which does not have the ability to inspect the end face of the left side fiber before splicing or endcapping has occurred. Additionally, this mirror can be used outside the Vytran systems as a convenient inspection tool on an optical bench or a microscope.

• Add-On Shelf for GLZ4001EC Laser Glass Processing System
• Maximum Load Capacity: 100 lbs (45 kg)
• Includes Mounting Hardware (T-Nuts, Bolts, and 3/16" Hex Key)

The GLZD Drop-Leaf Shelf is compatible with our GLZ4001EC and GPX4000LZ Processing Systems. The shelf includes mounting hardware and can attach to either side of the system enclosure. The supporting braces lock in place automatically when the shelf is raised. Each system enclosure can support one shelf on each side for a total of two.

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Figure 662A  USC2 Ultrasonic Cleaner and USC2NVT Nest for Vytran Transfer Bottom Inserts

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Figure 662C  The cleaning intensity and duration controls are located on the rear of the cleaner.

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View Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
USC2	1	Ultrasonic Fiber Cleaner with Bare Fiber Holder Nest
USC2NVT	1	Ultrasonic Cleaner Nest for Vytran Bottom Inserts
USC2Y15	1	15 mm Spacer for Vytran Nest
VHF750	1	Fiber Holder Transfer Bottom Insert, Ø516 µm - Ø1047 µm
VHT1	1	Transfer Clamp with Magnetic Lid for Fiber Holder Transfer Inserts
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Figure 662B  The USC2NVT Nest adds support for Vytran transfer bottom inserts.

• Easy-to-Adjust Immersion Depth, Cleaning Duration, and Power Level
• Bare Fiber Nest with Magnetic Clamp Included
• Nest for Vytran Transfer Bottom Inserts Sold Separately (Item # USC2NVT)
• Compatible Solvents: Acetone or Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol)
• Spout for Easy Fluid Disposal; Slotted Shield for Reduced Solvent Evaporation

Thorlabs' Vytran^® USC2 Ultrasonic Fiber Cleaner is designed for volume processing of bare fiber. Adjustment knobs for cleaning intensity and cleaning duration allow the user to easily set repeatable cleaning parameters. The dunking jig offers adjustable immersion depth and is compatible with interchangeable fiber holder nests (each sold separately). A red LED indicates when the cleaning cycle is active. The 100 mL solvent tank is only suitable for use with acetone or isopropyl alcohol.

Tilting the dunking jig submerges the fiber in the tank and initiates the ultrasonic cleaning process. The ultrasonic agitation ceases after the chosen cleaning duration. The height of the fiber holder above the solvent tank can be changed over a 0.5" (12.7 mm) range using the knurled adjuster on the side of the dunking jig, visible in Figure 662B.

The knurled adjuster can also be reversed to disengage the bare fiber nest and switch it out for another fiber holder nest. Each cleaner is shipped with a bare fiber nest installed in the dunking jig. The USC2NVT Nest (sold separately) is designed for use with Vytran transfer bottom inserts. Accessories are available for the Vytran fiber nest to support a wider range of usage scenarios, including a clamp for standard bottom inserts and spacers for recessing inserts farther from the solvent tank. We also offer nests for Fujikura^® and Fitel^® fiber holders (each sold separately). Please see the complete product presentation for more information.