At the 2015 LASER world of PHOTONICS trade show in Munich, Germany, on 22–25 June, Nyfors will introduce the SmartSplicer – an advanced glass processing and optical fibre splicing product platform for development and manufacturing of sensitive high-power laser, sensor and telecommunication fibre components. The SmartSplicer uses annular CO2 laser heating for flexible and contamination-free processing of fused fibre components.
The SmartSplicer has been developed in close cooperation between Nyfors Teknologi of Stockholm, Sweden, and the Fraunhofer IOF Institute in Jena, Germany, which designed the optical system around patent pending and proprietary optical technology.
High-precision optics with axicon refractive elements convert a laser beam into a ring of adjustable diameter, matching the fibres or components under processing. This optical configuration provides uniform and highly precise distribution of optical power through a completely contamination free heating process. No consumables like process gas, filaments or electrodes are needed.
Different types of fibres and optical components can be processed through glass-shaping operations such as fibre-to-fibre splicing, tapering and fibre-to-end-cap splicing. The system can operate in a horizontal or vertical orientation. The SmartSplicer system also features an intelligent tool holder system that allows the customer to customise the machine to their specific applications.
“SmartSplicer is ideal for R&D and industrial glass processing applications that demand accuracy and precise control of power as well as versatility and cleanliness, such as fibre laser and medical device manufacturing. The Fraunhofer technology has made it possible to create a platform that is truly superior in all aspects,” said Erik Böttcher, CEO of Nyfors Teknologi.
The SmartSplicer will be available to customers in late 2015.
Development of the SmartSplicer has been carried out within a research project funded by the EUREKA Eurostars programme through national funding agencies DLR in Germany and VINNOVA in Sweden.