Cleaning MTP and MPO connectors after optical fiber polishing

As part of our business activities, Domaille Engineering project managers and engineering staff are constantly visiting customer facilities and interacting with users of our equipment. From an independent point of view, most organizations polishing optical fiber with MTP or MPO connectors are using the same basic process. The polishing media, speed, pressure and time all vary a little bit, but steps are very similar. However, we are always amazed by the amount
of variation in the cleaning between polishing steps. We have seen everything from a light DI water mist all the way up to high pressure air/water jet blasts that soak everything within a six foot radius. We have observed not only tremendous variation between different organizations, but have also witnessed vastly different cleaning techniques between personnel on different shifts within the same organization. From an engineering standpoint, observing these process
variations caused us to formulate the first version our OpticCleanse™ automated cleaning system.

The first thing our product development engineers noticed when they started monitoring the cleaning task was that getting all the media removed got exponentially harder with each step. The finer the media, the harder the cleaning became. The guide pin holes in the MTP or MPO connectors are natural collection points for media and can easily cause cross contaminate between fiber optic polishing steps resulting in scratches. The final optical fiber polish, especially with slurry, is extremely difficult to get clean.

The Domaille design and product development engineering staffs are currently working on a special version of the OpticCleanse™ automated cleaning system specifically designed for removing slurry from the MT-EZ polishing fixture. The new system will be based on using ultrasonic waves to remove the media from the fixture. Other considerations for the
OpticCleanse™ system include a pivot system to lower the fixture into the ultrasonic cleaning solution without removing the fixture from the machine, plus separate clean and contaminated reservoirs for the cleaning solution. We are hoping to have working prototypes at the OFC exhibition in March and will be looking for clients to beta test the system. If you are interesting in testing the OpticCleanse™ system, please contact me at (507) 281-0275, ext 120 or email dhickerson@DomailleEngineering.com.