Vytran® Fiber Cleavers for Ø80 µm to Ø1.25 mm Cladding Fibers

• Cleave Fibers with Claddings from Ø80 µm to Ø1.25 mm
  • LDC401: Flat Cleaves Only
  • LDC401A: Flat Cleaves or Angled Cleaves up to 15°
• Accepts SM, MM, PM, and Specialty Fibers
• Includes Micrometer Backstop to Support Low-Tension Cleave Processes
• Diamond Cleave Blade
• Fiber Holder Inserts Must be Purchased Separately (Available Below)

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The Vytran LDC401 and LDC401A Fiber Cleavers produce high-quality cleaves in fibers with claddings from Ø80 µm to Ø1.25 mm in order to support precision splicing applications. The LDC401 produces flat cleaves (i.e., a cleave plane perpendicular to the length of the fiber), while the LDC401A can produce both flat and angled cleaves. Each cleaver features a diamond cleave blade, a micrometer backstop that enables low-tension cleaves in specialty fibers, and a ruler block and translating fiber holding blocks to align the point to be cleaved. The LDC401A also includes a rotary stage to apply the torsion needed for angled cleaves.

The left fiber holding block is connected to the same motorized stage as is used in our linear proof testers and includes a load cell that allows the system to internally monitor the tension applied to the fiber during the cleave process. The position of this holding block can be adjusted prior to cleaving by entering the desired position, with micron-level precision, into the tablet controller (display units are in millimeters).

The tablet included with each cleaver allows the parameters of the cleave process to be precisely controlled. Adjustable settings include the fiber tension, rotation angle, velocity at which the tension and torsion are applied to the fiber, how quickly the scribe approaches the fiber, and fiber diameter. A cleave angle calculator, included in the LDC401A tablet, provides an estimate of cleave parameters that can be refined by the user. The tablet is shipped preloaded with ten files for common cleave parameters. See the Tablet Controller tab for details.

Once the desired cleave parameters are set and loaded into the cleaver, the tablet can be removed and the cleaving process initiated by pressing the blue button on the top of the unit. For manufacturing environments with multiple cleaving stations, this feature streamlines the production process by allowing the same cleave parameters to be easily loaded into multiple LDC401 cleavers.

These cleavers use fiber holding blocks that are compatible with the FPS300 Stripping and Cleaning Station, LFS4100 Fiber Splicer, GPX3000 Glass Fiber Processing Stations, and GPX4000LZ CO₂ Laser Glass Processor, allowing fiber to be moved easily between systems. Fiber Holder Inserts are available below in a variety of sizes and must be purchased separately. A selection guide is provide on the Fiber Holder Inserts tab to aid in determining which inserts are appropriate for the fiber to be cleaved.

Each unit is shipped with a power supply and location-specific power cord.

Note: Due to the unit's design, it is not possible to upgrade an LDC401 to perform angled cleaves.

• Two are Required to use the Large-Diameter Fiber Cleavers
• Flat, Recessed Surface Clamps the Fiber Against the V-Groove in the Bottom Insert (Sold Below)
• Clamp Fiber Outer Diameters from 57 µm to 3.198 mm When Used with Bottom Inserts
• Compatible with Other Vytran Systems
  • FPS300 Fiber Preparation Station
  • LFS4100 Splicer
  • GPX3400 and GPX3600 Glass Fiber Processing Stations
  • GPX4000LZ CO₂ Laser Glass Processor
• Interchangeable by the User

The large-diameter fiber cleavers require a pair of Top and Bottom Fiber Holder Inserts to be placed in each of the fiber holding blocks in order to clamp the fiber during the cleaving process. Each top insert consists of a bar that has a recessed area on one or both sides, designed to clamp the fiber against the V-groove in a bottom insert. The inserts sit in the top section of the fiber holding blocks and are available in a variety of groove sizes. Top inserts are sold individually, and two are required to use these cleavers.

The top and bottom inserts (available below) can be paired in different combinations, outlined on the Fiber Holder Inserts tab above, to accommodate fiber with outer diameters from 57 µm to 3.198 mm. 

While the cleavers can only cleave fibers with cladding diameters from 80 µm up to 1.25 mm, the inserts can accommodate a wider range of outer diameters, as there are cases where the fiber should be clamped on the coating instead of the cladding. During a typical cleave, it is often desirable to clamp the cladding on the side to be discarded and the coating on the side of the fiber that will be retained. Alternatively, the fiber may be center stripped and the coating clamped on both sides (preferable in some cases, such as creating a firm clamp on non-circular fiber). Therefore, multiple combinations of top and bottom inserts may be required to accommodate all of the diameters that need to be clamped. The Fiber Holder Insert tab above includes information and a table to aid in selecting the correct combinations of top and bottom inserts to accommodate fiber outer diameters between 57 µm and 3.198 mm. 

• Two are Required to Use the LDC401 or LDC401A
• Clamp Fiber Outer Diameters from 57 µm to 3.198 mm when Used with Top Inserts (Available Above)
• VHD and VHF Series of Inserts Have Holes for Vacuum Suction to Aid in Positioning Small Fibers when Used in the LDC401 or LDC401A (See the Table to the Right)
• VHF Transfer Inserts are Used with VHT1 Transfer Clamp to Aid in Transferring a Fiber with ≤Ø1.047 mm Coating between Compatible Vytran Systems
  • FPS300 Fiber Preparation Station
  • LFS4100 Splicer
  • GPX3400 and GPX3600 Glass Fiber Processing Stations
  • GPX4000LZ CO₂ Laser Glass Processor
• Interchangeable by the User

The large-diameter fiber cleavers require a pair of Top and Bottom Fiber Holder Inserts to be placed in each of the fiber holding blocks in order to clamp the fiber during the cleaving process. Each bottom insert has a V-Groove on one or both sides that can accommodate a range of diameters (as indicated in the table to the right).

Three types of bottom inserts are available for these large-diameter fiber cleavers. Standard bottom inserts for fiber with an outer diameter <Ø1.047 mm have vacuum holes to help position the fiber in the groove when loading the cleaver. For certain fiber diameters, we also offer transfer inserts (Item #s beginning with VHF) designed to work with the VHT1 transfer clamps (available below) that aid in moving the fiber between compatible Vytran stations while maintaining coarse alignment. The VHE series of fiber holder bottom inserts have a V-Groove on one (VHE25 and VHE30) or both sides (VHE10, VHE15, and VHE20) but do not include vacuum holes. The VHF transfer inserts and VHE bottom inserts can both be installed in other, compatible Vytran stations, although the VHE bottom inserts cannot be used with the VHT1 transfer clamp.

Bottom inserts are sold individually, and two are required to use the large-diameter cleavers. If using the fiber cleaver as a stand-alone device, the VHD series or VHE series inserts will be sufficient. If using the cleavers with other compatible Vytran systems, the bottom insert in the left fiber holding block can be replaced with a transfer insert and VHT1 transfer clamp (available below) for certain fiber sizes, as indicated in the table to the right. Typically, these transfer inserts would only be used in the left fiber holder block, as the right fiber holding block usually clamps the side of the fiber that will be discarded. The right fiber holding block of the LDC401 can accept transfer inserts, if desired, while the right fiber holding block of the LDC401A is incompatible with the transfer inserts, due to the presence of the rotation stage.

The top (available above) and bottom fiber holder inserts can be paired in different combinations, outlined on the Fiber Holder Inserts tab above, to accommodate fiber with outer diameters from 57 µm to 3.198 mm. While the cleavers can only cleave fibers with cladding diameters from 80 µm up to 1.25 mm, the inserts can accommodate a wider range of outer diameters, as there are cases where the fiber should be clamped on the coating instead of the cladding. During a typical cleave, it is often desirable to clamp the cladding on the side to be discarded and the coating on the side of the fiber that will be retained. Alternatively, the fiber may be center stripped and the coating clamped on both sides (preferable in some cases, such as creating a firm clamp on non-circular fiber). Therefore, multiple combinations of top and bottom inserts may be required. The Fiber Holder Inserts tab above includes information and a table to aid in selecting the correct combinations of top and bottom inserts to accommodate fiber outer diameters from 57 µm to 3.198 mm.

• Transfer Clamp and Graphite Tips for Fiber Holder Transfer Bottom Inserts
• Transfer Clamps Required to Transfer Fibers in VHF Inserts Between Compatible Vytran Systems
  • FPS300 Cleaning and Stripping Station
  • LFS4100 Splicer
  • GPX3400 and GPX3600 Glass Fiber Processing Stations
  • GPX4000LZ CO₂ Laser Glass Processor
• Graphite V-Grooves for Supporting Fibers ≤Ø500 µm During Splicing or Tapering
• V-Grooves Accept Diameters from 80 µm to 550 µm

These Transfer Clamps and V-Grooves are used with the VHF Transfer Bottom Inserts sold directly above to move a single fiber between various Vytran systems with minimal loss of alignment. For example, a fiber can be placed in a transfer insert and cleaved using the LDC401. Then, the entire transfer insert and fiber can be moved to a splicer or glass processor for splicing.

The VHT1 clamp secures transfer inserts with a magnetic lid that prevents axial movement of the fiber and can be used to hold the insert during transport without touching the fiber itself. For fibers with diameters ≤550 µm, a graphite V-groove is available to support the fiber when splicing (please see the size table to the right for more information). The graphite V-grooves are secured by tightening two setscrews on the transfer insert.

• LDCCM Microscope and Tablet Mount Kit:
  • Digital Microscope for Imaging the Fiber, Cleave Blade, and Micrometer Position
  • Swing Arm Mount for Quick and Easy Positioning of Microscope
  • Tablet Mount Positions Controls Above and Behind the Cleaver
  • Integrated USB Hub Simultaneously Connects Microscope and Cleaver to Tablet
  • Compatible with LDC401 and LDC401A Fiber Cleavers
• LDCCK Microscope Kit:
  • Includes Digital Microscope and Swing Arm
  • Requires PC or Tablet (Not Included) to View Image
  • Compatible with LDC401 and LDC401A Fiber Cleavers as well as Previous-Generation LDC400 and LDC400A Fiber Cleavers

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LDCCK Digital Microscope Kit

These optional kits feature a digital microscope on a swing arm that attaches to the side of our LDC Series Fiber Cleavers. The microscope can image the fiber, cleave blade, and micrometer backstop at up to 220X magnification, enabling more effective use of the cleaver. The magnification of the microscope can be adjusted using the silver wheel on the side, and the focus can adjusted by sliding the microscope in its holder. The microscope also incorporates eight white light LEDs for illumination of the subject. The brightness of these LEDs may be adjusted using the narrow black wheel near the top of the microscope. A button on the side captures a still image when pressed.

The LDCCM kit includes the digital microscope, swing arm, and a tablet mount for holding the tablet included with our LDC401 and LDC401A cleavers above the system, minimizing its footprint. The tablet mount incorporates a USB hub that enables the tablet included with the LDC401 and LDC401A cleavers to interface with the cleaver and the microscope simultaneously. The microscope can then be controlled using the software that comes pre-installed on the LDC401 or LDC01A tablet.

The LDCCK kit includes only the digital microscope and swing arm for users that do not wish to mount a tablet above the workstation. To use the LDC401 or LDC401A Cleaver's tablet to control the cleaver and view the microscope image simultaneously, a separate USB hub (not included) is necessary. Alternately, each kit includes a CD with software that allows the microscope to be operated via a tablet or PC supplied by the user. The LDCCK Kit is also compatible with our previous-generation LDC400 and LDC400A Fiber Cleavers, which included a handset instead of a tablet.

• Replacement Blade for Our Fiber Cleaving Systems (See List to the Right)
• 0.08" (2.0 mm) Long Diamond Blade
• User Installable

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The blade is shipped in a protective covering.

The ACL83 Diamond Cleave Blade is a replacement blade for the Vytran fiber processing systems listed to the right. Each system is shipped with a blade included.

When used with proper cleave parameters, a single location on the blade can provide up to 5,000 cleaves (dependent on the cladding properties of the fiber being cleaved). The blade can be positioned approximately 10 times before replacement (assuming proper cleave parameters and usage that does not cause unexpected damage to the blade). Blade replacement instructions for each system are provided in the user manuals.

Note: Severe damage to the blade can occur if conditions cause high stress perpendicular to the edge of the blade or if incorrect parameters are used to cleave the fiber.