Ferrule for use with an optical fiber connector and method for

Abstract

A ferrule used for an optical fiber connector and a method for efficient production thereof are disclosed. The ferrule comprises a through-hole formed linearly along the axial line thereof and having a part of a small diameter for the insertion of an optical fiber, a part of a large diameter for the insertion of a sheathed optical fiber, and a diametrically tapered part intervening between the small diameter part and the large diameter part and diverging from the small diameter part to the large diameter part. The through-hole has a length of not less than 1 mm for the small diameter part and a length of less than 6 mm for the total of the small diameter part and the diametrically tapered part. In the production of this ferrule, the grinding work for the impartation of an outside diameter is implemented by causing the opposite end parts of a ceramic blank having an engaging part adapted to receive a rotational driving force to be rotatably supported with a double center cylindrical grinder and rotating a live center of the double center cylindrical grinder having formed thereon a fitting part for union with the engaging part thereby enabling the ceramic blank engaged with the live center to rotate and effecting the grinding work.