Fiber Rough Cut Procedure

The optical fibers from Saint Gobain Crystals were shipped to UConn in several ~26 inch diameter cardboard spools. Due to concerns over UV light exposure, a single spool of BCF-20 (scintillating fiber) and BCF-98 (light guide) are stored on the end of the fiber cutting table in a light tight enclosure for construction use. The remaining inventories of fibers have been set aside in the manufacturer's shipping box for future use.

The fiber cutting table was designed as a dual purpose workstation. The following steps explain how this workstation is used to provide a way of cutting the fibers from their spools (a.k.a. rough cut). Later sections of procedure detail the use of parts of this work station as an alignment tool for the long light guides during fiber splicing.

Procedure

• Don safety equipment: eye protection.
• Ensure: sleeves are rolled up, hair is tied back, and jewlery is secured.
• Locate logbook used for data recording.
• Make sure the Dremel cutting tool is unplugged then visually inspect:
  • Ensure cutting wheel is secure and not cracked
  • Verify electrical cord is in good working order.
  • Make sure the power switch is in the off position.
• Plug in the Dremel tool.
• Set the cutting speed to 7.
• Check that the ventilation hose is secure and start the ventilation system.
• Flip up the opening to the spool storage box to expose the two slots with the protruding optical fibers.
• Select a fiber spool to cut from and remove the clip holding the corresponding fiber in place.
  • Ensure the fiber is held securely prior to release of the clip
  • If the fiber falls into the storage box:
    • Remove the side panel on the spool storage box using a razor knife to cut the tape.