Special Optical Cable Stripping

Special optical cable stripping requires precision tools and techniques to safely remove fiber coatings, jackets, and buffers without damaging the glass core.

Types of Fiber Stripping Tools

Mechanical Strippers: Handheld tools with precision holes or blades designed to remove coatings from standard fibers (125 µm glass with 250 µm coating) or specialty fibers with thinner coatings (200 µm). Examples include three-hole strippers for segmented stripping and CFS-2 fiber strippers for pigtail and FTTH applications, which allow stripping from 900 µm down to 125 µm without adjustments . Thermal Strippers: Use heated air or hot knives to remove polymer coatings cleanly, ideal for acrylate-based fibers. Tools like the AUTOSTRIPPER 2™ provide chemical-free window stripping for coatings up to 550 µm, offering high cleanliness and fiber strength . Automated Systems: High-speed units like the AUTOPREP 2™ strip, clean, and cleave fibers in under 15 seconds, ensuring consistent preparation for industrial-scale splicing or connectorization . Specialty Cable Strippers: For loose tube, armored, or multi-layer cables, tools such as the ACS Armored Cable Slitter or Jonard CST-4000 allow longitudinal, spiral, or circular cuts. Adjustable blades prevent nicking the fiber while removing outer jackets, aramid yarn, or buffer tubes .

Stripping Techniques

1. End Stripping: Remove a defined length of coating (typically 30–40 mm) from the fiber end for splicing or connectorization.
2. Window Stripping: Remove a short section of coating from the middle of the fiber for applications like fiber Bragg gratings.
3. Mid-Span or Jacket Removal: For armored or loose tube cables, use longitudinal or circumferential cuts to access internal fibers without damaging them .

Best Practices

• Select the right tool for the fiber type and coating thickness to avoid scratches or nicks.
• Adjust blade depth carefully for multi-layer cables to prevent fiber damage.
• Use chemical-free or thermal methods when possible to maintain fiber strength and cleanliness.
• Cut aramid yarn with specialized high-carbon steel shears to handle tough reinforcing fibers . By combining the appropriate tool with precise technique, technicians can achieve clean, repeatable stripping for a wide range of optical fiber applications, from FTTH installations to industrial splicing and high-density cable preparation.