Technological advances have paved the way for more convenience for us in terms of communication. People today enjoy being able to send their messages in the blink of an eye and even search for information with a single click of their mouse. This is all thanks to the use of fiber optics which makes transmission of information faster.
Fiber optics are composed of delicate fibers usually made of silica or glass that are slightly thicker than a strand of human hair. Due to its elaborate makeup, it is important to use tools that are essentially created for it. Below are just some examples that one might encounter.
Tools
Fiber Stripper . When one needs to strip a loose tube, a fiber stripper is the perfect choice as it strips the tube without nicking the fiber inside. That said, the stripper is not designed for buffers that have tight surfaces because of the blade's thickness.
Kevlar Scissors . These scissors are designed to cut Kevlar strength members that are located inside fiber optic cables. The tool is made of carbon molybdenum and vanadium steel which makes it durable and can extend its service life.
Sheath Cutter . For the journeyman who needs to cut any point or area of the cable, the sheath cutter is one's best bet. The cutter has an adjustable depth control reducing the potential of cutting the inside cables. An Allen key is included to remove the cutter socket retention cap.
Fiber Cleaver. To create a perfect flat end face, use of a fiber cleaver is necessary. The tool is often used in fiber splice operation to ensure a successful splicing of the fiber with minimal losses. New models are very light and portable making it ideal for FTTx operations.
Round Cable Slitter. The cable slitter is the ideal tool for circular or spiral cuts. The slitter can strip and slit cables of .18mm to 1 inch diameter in length. The adjustable cutting depth allows it to strip up to 4.5 mm or.18 inch thick.
Crimp Tool. A crimp tool is useful for termination of optical connectors. The tool can crimp connectors of different diameters by changing the hex crimps. The die can be .42, .68. .078, .128 inch hex crimps. It is also easy to correct the attached connector by releasing the built-in safety.
These are just some of the tools that one might need when cutting optic fiber cables. There are some kits available that contain some of the tools as well as cleaning tools that are essential to help maintain your cables in tiptop shape.