The finest Precision Rubber Pad for Polishing Optical Fiber in the marketplace!
Domaille Engineering is proud to announce our new Gold Series line of precision rubber pads used for polishing optical fiber connectors. This new product was developed in conjunction with several OEM cable assembly houses to minimize the variation in the optical fiber polishing process. These pads, along with other new process variation reduction products part of OpticMizer™ Process Control System. These unique rubber pads feature actual durometer readings, total durometer range of +/- 2 (Shore A), color coding for EZ visual identification and the new Dry Grab high gloss non-slip surface for adhering abrasive film. Every precision rubber pad is ground to a .02mm tolerance, serialized and date coded for data tracking.
Recommended products for use with the Gold Series Precision Rubber pads include the EZ Abrasive Kit (SKU: AK10500), Gold Series Locking Rubber pads (SKU: PM12101-XXL) and EZ Lock Platen (SKU: PM10152L) and the 5” diameter precision ground glass plate (SKU: PM12200)
The Gold Series Precision Rubber Locking Pads can also be ordered. These pads have a two locking notches and are used in conjunction with the EZ Lock Platen system.
Gold Series Precision Rubber Pad Benefits
- Part of the OpticMizer™ Process Control System product line.
- Precision +/- 2 durometer ranges
- Dry Grab high gloss anti-slip surface for positive abrasive film adherence.
- Actual durometer documented on pad.
- Color coded, serialized and date stamped for visual identification and data tracking.
- Precision ground to within +/- .02 mm tolerance.
- Available with Locking Features for EZ Lock Platen system.
The Gold Series Precision Rubber Pads took over three years to develop. The initial request came from several OEM clients who noticed a pattern in their rejection levels. The root cause of the rejections was variation in the durometer of there rubber backing pads was changing the end face geometry. Most commercially available rubber pads for optical fiber polishing are not tested for durometer and have a wide range of variation between lots of rubber (+/-5 durometer is very common).
To make the new precision rubber pads, Domaille Engineering partnered with a local firm to develop a robust rubber processing cycle and several OEM clients to develop accurate testing methods.
The rubber processing looked at refined materials, mixing technology, and processing methods. Combined with the accurate testing, Domaille was finally able to come up with a repeatable process that hold the durometer to within +/- 2 Shore A when tested at 71°+/-1 F.
The next step in the rubber pad development was working at developing a method to keep abrasive film from slipping on the rubber pads. We tested many different methods before developing the Dry Grip system. The Dry Grip is incorporated into one side of the rubber pad. When used in conjunction with the EZ Abrasive kit, the abrasive film can just be rolled onto the rubber pad without any water or other adhesion aid.
The rubber pad is ground to Domaille Engineering’s exacting quality standards on our manufacturing floor. The grinding process is done to the keep the pads parallel to the rotating platen and perpendicular to the polishing fixture.
