A: Handheld fiber-optic fusion splicers drive production in the small supply market in mainland China. The products are generally targeted at the low-end sector of the international market, which is largely dominated by big-brand players.

Growing momentum in Greater China’s fiber-optic industry has yet to extend to the fiber-opticfusion splicer sector. This segment is so small at present it comprises only two or three makers in mainland China, plus several trading firms and design houses, and no suppliers in Taiwan. Of the total 2007 global shipment of fiber-optic fusion splicers valued at $308 million, only 6 to 8 percent came from mainland China, according to data from Global Information Inc. The research firm projects the global shipment value will climb to $440 million by 2012.

The high technology requirement for entry into this product line and the small demand will not likely fast-track supplier adoption in mainland China and Taiwan in the near term. The supplier base for fiber-optic fusion splicers in both regions will not likely expand significantly, even as the overall FTTx industry continues to be flooded with new players. Makers’ stronger focus on passive optical network (PON) products such as optical line terminals (OLTs) and optical network units (ONUs), particularly in Taiwan, will also derail the development of industrial-application products such as fusion splicers.

According to projections from Taiwan’s Market Intelligence Center (MIC), global fiber-optic production value will reach $57.34 billion this year, up from $52.44 billion in 2007 and $48.89 billion in 2006. Production value of fiber-optic passive components, including fiber-optic fusion splicers, is projected to hit $1.43 billion this year and $1.58 billion in 2009, up from $1.24 billion in 2007.

A: Before optical fibers can be successfully fusion-spliced, they need to be carefully stripped of their outer jackets and polymer coating, thoroughly cleaned, and then precisely cleaved to form smooth, perpendicular end faces. Once all of this has been completed, each fiber is placed into a holder in the splicer’s enclosure. From this point on, the fiber optic fusion splicer takes over the rest of the process, which involves 3 steps:

Alignment: Using small, precise motors, the fusion splicer makes minute adjustments to the fibers’ positions until they’re properly aligned, so the finished splice will be as seamless and attenuation-free as possible. During the alignment process, the fiber optic technician is able to view the fiber alignment, thanks to magnification by optical power meter, video camera, or viewing scope.

Impurity Burn-Off: Since the slightest trace of dust or other impurities can wreak havoc on a splice’s ability to transmit optical signals, you can never be too clean when it comes to fusion splicing. Even though fibers are hand-cleaned before being inserted into the splicing device, many fusion splicers incorporate an extra precautionary cleaning step into the process: prior to fusing, they generate a small spark between the fiber ends to burn off any remaining dust or moisture.

Fusion: After fibers have been properly positioned and any remaining moisture and dust have been burned off, it’s time to fuse the fibers ends together to form a permanent splice. The splicer emits a second, larger spark that melts the optical fiber end faces without causing the fibers’ cladding and molten glass core to run together (keeping the cladding and core separate is vital for a good splice – it minimizes optical loss). The melted fiber tips are then joined together, forming the final fusion splice. Estimated splice-loss tests are then performed, with most fiber fusion splices showing a typical optical loss of 0.1 dB or less.

A: Optical fiber fusion splicing is a welded joint formed between two optical fibers. It is a permanent, low-loss, high-strength joint compared with other temporary joint such as a mechanical splice. Optical fiber fusion splices play a crucial role in the optical network.

The Ideal Fusion Splicing Process
The goal is to create a joint with minimum insertion loss yet with mechanical strength and long-term reliability that matches the fiber itself.

The ideal process should be fast, inexpensive and should not require expensive equipment. But in reality the process needs trade-offs among different applications and requirements. For example, for undersea telecommunications, long-term reliability is the most important goal for a fusion splicing.

The Advantages
There are other approaches for interconnecting fibers such as fiber optic connectors and mechanical splicings. Compared to these two, fusion splicing has many advantages as explained below.

1. Very compact2. Lowest insertion loss3. Lowest back reflection (optical return loss ORL)4. Highest mechanical strength5. Permanent6. Can withstand extreme high temperature changes7. Prevents dust and other contaminants from entering the optical path

A: Normal, free testing samples available to offer, but will be send under Freight Collect.
Expensive sample should be paid the cost.
Available courier: TNT, DHL, UPS, Fedex, DPEX and Special-line.

A: Delivery term: FOB Ningbo/Shanghai China, CFR/CIF destination port.
Payment term: Cash, T/T, L/C.