ViscoTec demonstrates automatic production of optical fibres
Automatic production of optical fibres was achieved at the preeflow technical centre by ViscoTec. The customer-specific tests focused on the bonding of optical fibres in a connector. The customer required a repeatable application of 5 micro litres of a two-component material in a mixing ratio (volumetric) of 8.5:1 using an eco-DUO330 and an epoxy adhesive EPO-TEK 353ND. The two-component, high-temperature epoxy was specially developed for semiconductor, hybrid, fibre optic and medical applications.
The special challenge in dispensing the adhesive is the repeatable dosing and precise interaction of all components for an exact mixing ratio to ensure perfect curing, explained ViscoTec.
The optical fibres used in telecommunications engineering require the highest quality standards for use in, for example, the communication of audio systems in the automotive sector, or high data transfer rates in computer networks or for long-distance transmission across an ocean. In order to meet the increasingly stringent quality requirements resulting from ever larger data volumes and shorter transfer times and to achieve the required production quantities, the connectors and the optical fibres will need to be bonded, in an automated process.
Until now, the two-component epoxy resin from EPO-TEK has been applied manually, using a syringe, which must be mixed and filled precisely in advance. The precision of both the mixing ratio and the application of the minimum amount of adhesive is simply not achievable in the manual process, says ViscoTec. In addition, due to the pre-mixed cartridges, high residual amounts of material are sometimes produced.
The tests at the preeflow technical centre showed that the required quality standards are more than met when implementing the dosing process with the eco-DUO330 2-component dispenser. The volumetric dispenser was convincing in terms of repeatability, ease of service and process reliability, reports the company. A fully automatic production line is being planned.
preeflow is a brand name of ViscoTec Pumpen- u. Dosiertechnik which primarily specialises in systems required for conveying, dispensing, applying, filling and emptying medium to high-viscosity fluids. The company headquarters are in Germany, near Munich and there are subsidiaries in the USA, China, Singapore, India and France.
Established in 2008, preeflow ensures precise, purely volumetric dispensing of liquids in the smallest of quantities.
An international distribution network offers professional service and support in all areas of preeflow dispensing systems. Applications can be found in the automotive, electrical and electronics industry, medical technology, aerospace, renewable energies, electrical and hybrid technology and measurement and sensor technology.
