DESCRIPTION
A fiber optic delivery system is generally made of:
- a fiber optic with or without protection tube
- an SMA connector
- a custom assembly according to the application

SMA “One Shot” connector
Recent development has led to a complete redesign of the SMA connector to meet the cost objective of “disposable fiber”. Priority has been given to reducing manufacturing cost of the connector. But the real challenge was to reduce the cost of assembly on the fiber.
For many years we have assembled thousands of connectors with the “crimp and cleave” technology. From this experience we have developed a solution for this new connector. The result is a global concept we are offering under the name “One Shot”:
- a disposable SMA connector (“One shot”)
- HCS fibers in 200µm, 300µm, 400µm and 600µm diameter
- Ultra fast “crimp and cleave” assembly technology (<1mn)
- Very simple assembly tool with no consumable product and more than 10000 cleave without service needed.

CLEAVING
The optic end face of a fiber must be plane, perpendicular to the axis and with a “mirror” aspect. The quality of this end face is an essential factor of fiber delivery system performance.
Two different process are commonly used: polishing or cleaving.
Polishing is a rather long process and is using costly consumable. On the contrary cleaving is a quick process with no consumable. It gives perfectly transparent optic faces by natural cleave of the molecular structure of silica. However the choice of the cleaving tool is essential: the CT2 tool that we offer is user friendly and gives consistent results.

CRIMPING
Crimping assembly on a fiber optic is a highly technical operation. As a matter of fact every stress in the fiber generate optical attenuation.
HCS fibers are well suited because of their large numerical aperture and their specific polymer cladding which allows exceptional mechanical performances (see HCS fibers general information page). The SMA “One shot” connector has been designed to take advantage of these fibers and reduce crimping induced attenuation. Crimping is made directly on the Tefzel coating with a long tube avoiding high pressure points.