The most common method of terminating a fiber bundle employs a ferrule (hollow metal or plastic block or tube to contain fibers) and epoxy. The epoxy keeps the fibers contained in the ferrule and serves as a grinding and polishing fixture. As. The most common method of terminating a fiber bundle employs a ferrule (hollow metal or plastic block or tube to contain fibers) and epoxy. The epoxy keeps the fibers contained in the ferrule and serves as a grinding and polishing fixture. As long as the ID of the “tube” is sized for the required bundle, and the epoxy is mixed, applied, and cured p. Because high temperatures in some applications will melt epoxy, terminations made without epoxy are available. Mechanical swaging or fusing can be used for these applications; but each method has its pros and cons. Both methods allow glass fiber optic components to be used in applications exposed to the softening point of the fiber material (Borosi. Because the ends of the fiber bundle are softened, squeezed together and fused, the interstitial spaces between individual fibers have been eliminated, reducing the active diameter of the bundle. The amount of diameter reduction is 10-14% depending on the pack of the fibers and their starting size. Once fused, fiber ends can withstand temperatures. Swaging does less physical damage than fusing, but this technique limits the ability to affect a good final polish, which reduces transmission when compared to the same bundle with polished end. Swaging requires special finishing techniques which increase the cost of the finished part, but not to the extent of the price increase incurred by fusing.Hot knife termination is a field terminating technique common in commercial lighting applications with plastic fiber only. This simple technique requires plastic fibers to be hand gathered in the ferrule tube, then cut flush with a heated razor knife. Recognized for its convenience and speed, this termination method is popular with installers and c.
