Fiber optic scribe and cleave tool and method

Abstract

A method for breaking or severing a rod of brittle fiber material, such as glass optical fiber, to produce a mirror end surface thereon, normal to its longitudinal axis and free of imperfection, is described wherein a linear section of the fiber, usually stripped of its outer protective coating or cladding, is supported and held at and between spaced zones and sequentially subjected to gradually increasing axial tension while its exterior surface is scored by a rotatable cutter or scoring wheel moving in and along a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said section to effect its separation or cleavage along said plane. An adjustment system to accommodate different sizes and types of fiber optic materials is provided for regulating the axial tension imposed on said section, the angle of attack and scoring pressure exerted by the cutter wheel, the distance of the plane of severance relative to the mounting zone for an optical fiber connector fitting and the holding or radial gripping force exerted on the fiber. The sequential steps of tensioning and scribing or scoring the fiber also are selectively reversable. A manually actuatable tool for accomplishing the foregoing events is also described wherein the program of holding, tensioning, scoring and cleaving of the fiber is carried out independently of manually applied tool operating force.