US Conec Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool Quick start guide

Applications Engineering Notes
Copyright 2018 US Conec, Ltd.
Document Title Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number AEN-1408
Revision Number 2.0
Effective Date August 2, 2017

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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THE USE OF SAFETY GLASSES FOR EYE PROTECTION IS RECOMMENDED
1.0 Document Purpose
This document describes the procedure for ribbonizing loose fibers using the US Conec
loose fiber ribbonizing tool and ½” Scotch®810 Magic™Tape.
2.0 Required Equipment and Materials
US Conec loose fiber ribbonizing tool
100 millimeter ruler or other measuring device
Permanent marker
½” Scotch®810 Magic™Tape
New razor blade or Xacto®knife
Isopropyl alcohol, 99.8% pure
Lint-free wipes
Tweezers
Fiber optic side cutters
3.0 Ribbonizer Operating Instructions
3.1 Cable Preparation
3.1.1 Prepare the cable for ribbonization according to the manufacturer’s
instructions or for the termination type being used.
3.2 Fiber Preparation
3.2.1 Raise the ribbonizing tool’s fiber stacker into the vertical position and
remove the fiber shim.

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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3.2.1
3.2.2 Clean all tool surfaces of contaminants with 99.8% pure isopropyl alcohol
and lint free wipes. Pay particular attention to the fiber tray.
3.2.2
Fiber
Stacker
Fiber Shim
Fiber Tray

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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3.2.3 For standard polarity, place the loose fibers into the fiber stacker as shown
in Table 1 below.
Fiber No. Color Fiber No. Color Fiber No. Color
1
Blue
5
Slate
9
Yellow
2 Orange 6 White 10 Violet
3 Green 7 Red 11 Rose
4 Brown 8 Black 12 Aqua
Table #1: Standard Ribbon Fiber Color Order Chart
3.2.3a 3.2.3b
3.2.4 Carefully slide the shim into the stacker, leaving a small gap between the
shim and the “top” fiber in the array.

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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3.2.4 3.2.5
3.2.5 Gently slide the fibers from right to left and back several times to allow
the fibers to settle into position as they exit the jacket. Pull the fibers so
that the end of the jacket is snug against the opposite side of the stacker.
3.2.6 Push the shim down until it contacts the top fiber in the stacker and
compacts the fibers into a ribbon.
NOTE: Pushing the shim down too firmly will cause over-compacting of the
fibers resulting in fiber crossover and possible damage to individual
fibers.
3.2.6 3.2.7

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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3.2.7 Thoroughly clean the fibers with 99.8% pure isopropyl alcohol and lint-
free wipes. Use caution to not break fibers.
3.2.8 Position the fibers into the fiber tray.
3.2.8.1 Rotate the stacker down to the horizontal position.
3.2.8.2 Gently slide your finger along the fiber tray in the direction
of the opposite end of the tool, aligning the fibers in the
proper order in the tray.
NOTE: Repeat as necessary until the fibers are lying smoothly in
the tray.
3.2.8.2
4.0 Fiber Ribbonization
4.1 Cut a piece of Scotch®810 Magic™Tape approximately 60 mm long.
4.2 Apply the tape to the tray, covering the fibers and securing them into position.
Keep the tape approximately centered along the tray. Lightly slide your finger
along the tape as it covers the fibers aligned in the tray.

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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4.2a 4.2b
CAUTION: Make sure the fibers remain in the proper order during this step.
Attention is required to ensure fibers do not cross.
4.3 Place a new razor blade or Xacto®knife against the outside of the tray at the end
opposite the stacker. Hold the blade at an approximate 45° angle to the edge of
the tray.
4.3 4.4
4.4 Carefully slide the blade along the edge of the tray to remove the excess tape.
Pull the tape away from the tray with your other hand as the blade is moved.
Attention is required to ensure the tape is cut as closely as possible against the
edge without fiber damage.

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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4.5 Repeat steps 4.3 and 4.4 for the other side of the ribbon.
4.5 4.6
4.6 Slide your finger across the ribbon lying in the tray. Repeat several times,
increasing pressure with each pass.
4.7 For multi-leg cables (24, 48, or 72 fiber units), number the ribbonized fiber ribbon
(1, 2, 3, 4, or A, B, C, D, etc.) before removing it from the fiber tray.
4.8 Slowly rotate the stacker to the vertical position while gently sliding the end of
the tweezers under the ribbon in order to remove it from the tray.
4.8a 4.8b
4.9 Remove the shim from the stacker and gently remove the fiber ribbon.

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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4.10 Measure and trim the ribbon to the required length using ONLY fiber optic side
cutters.
4.10
4.11 Follow the connector manufacturer’s recommended termination procedure for
complete connector installation.

Document Title: Operating Instructions for the US Conec
Loose Fiber Ribbonizing Tool
Document Number: AEN-1408 Rev 2.0
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