Fiber Optic Termination Tools

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Stripping Tool Components

• Self-Aligning Blade Set Assures Concentric Scoring of Buffer or Coating
• Color-Coded Blades are Long-Lasting and Replaceable
• Each Stripping Tool Includes a BFG1 Bare Fiber Gripper
• Foolproof, No-Nick Design
• Fast, Reliable Fiber Stripping

These fiber buffer stripping tools provide a quick, easy, and reliable way to remove the buffer from an optical fiber in preparation for connectorization. A fiber guide and matched blades ensure that the optical fiber is correctly positioned and stripped each time. The blades are color coded to allow for fast identification of the proper fiber stripping tool. Replacement blade sets are available separately (see below) for stripping tools with Item # Prefix T06, T12, T18, T21, or T28. The blades and fiber guide lock are removed using the included assembly tool as illustrated in the diagram to the right. We also offer the TSK1 fiber stripping kit below, which includes a variety of blade sets and fiber guides, as well a fiber jacket stripper, in a compact case.

The BFG1 Bare Fiber Gripper is included with each fiber buffer stripping tool. When removing the buffer from an optical fiber, the textured rubber material of this gripper provides a secure hold without damaging the fiber. This method of gripping is recommended over wrapping or clamping the loose end of the fiber, as these techniques can create microfractures in the fiber. The BFG1 gripper is also sold separately below.

To select the correct fiber stripping tool for your cladding and coating diameter, please expand the Stripping Tool Selection Guide table below.

• Replacement Blades for Fiber Buffer Stripping Tools with Item # Prefix T06, T12, T18, T21, or T28
• Two Pre-Attached, Matched Blade Pairs Per Package

These blades replace used blade sets for select fiber buffer stripping tools sold above; see the table to the right for the compatible stripping tool models. Each package contains two blade sets and a fiber guide lock, which are color-coded to allow for easy identification of the compatible size and tool. The blades are packaged in pre-attached, matched pairs that should only be used together; do not mix two halves of different blade pairs.

Instructions for replacing the blades of the fiber stripping tool are included with the stripping tool itself. To replace blades for a stripping tool not listed in the table to the right, please contact Tech Sales.

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The FTS4 three-hole fiber stripping tool can be used to strip off (1) the jacket, (2) the buffer, and (3) the coating of an optical fiber.

The FTS4 Fiber Stripping Tool is capable of stripping the fiber jacket (furcation tubing), fiber buffer, and fiber coating. The first hole, indicated by the 1 in the photo to the right, strips the Ø1.6 mm - Ø3 mm fiber jacket down to the Ø600 µm - Ø900 µm buffer coating. The second hole strips the Ø600 µm - Ø900 µm buffer down to the Ø250 µm coating. The third hole is used to strip the Ø250 µm cable down to the glass fiber without nicks or scratches.

The handle is made of thermoplastic rubber and the tool is 6" (15 cm) long from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle. This fiber stripper is preset at the factory and cannot be adjusted or calibrated. The stripping tool should be periodically checked for proper operation and can be cleaned with dry compressed air to remove debris from the openings.

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These images depict the recommended stripping procedure. A: Immerse the target fiber section in stripping liquid.
B-C: Gently pinch the base of the soaked section with FSGT tweezers and pull toward the end of the fiber.
D: The coating should slide off, leaving a stripped section.

• Coating Stripping Tweezers for Fluoride and Other Soft Glass Fibers
• Non-Marring Stripping when Used with Chemical Stripping Agent
• Acid-Resistant Stainless Steel Body and PA66/GF30 Tips

Our FSGT Coating Stripping Tweezers can be used along with a solvent to chemically strip the coating from fibers. Fibers made from soft glasses, such as our fluoride fibers, are susceptible to damage when conventional mechanical stripping methods are used. For such fibers, using these tweezers with a chemical stripping agent provides effective stripping without scratching or nicking the bare fiber.

The FSGT tweezers consist of an antimagnetic, acid-resistant stainless steel body with two angled PA66/GF30 tips. The tweezers are resistant to paint strippers and other common solvents, making them ideal for use with chemical agents used to strip fibers.

Stripping Procedure
To strip a fiber, the coating should first be exposed to a stripping liquid such as a paint stripper for three to five minutes. Placing the stripping liquid in a long vessel such as a syringe with a long tip is recommended to increase ease of application. If using a gel-type stripper, it can be applied manually to the exterior of the fiber. Note that the required soaking time will depend on the particular stripping agent being used as well as the chemical composition of the coating. For example, if a dichloromethane (DCM) based stripping liquid is used, the required time may be shorter.

The coating on the section of the fiber soaked in stripping liquid will visibly swell, as seen in section B of the image to the right. A pair of FSGT tweezers can then be used to gently pinch the fiber in the soaked section, and pull toward the end of the fiber. Care should be taken to ensure that only moderate pressure is applied, or else the fiber may break. The soaked coating should slide off the end of the fiber, leaving the cladding exposed.

If additional cleaning of the stripped section is needed, a solvent such as methanol can be used with our TCW604 Lint-Free Wipes to remove any remaining debris.

When dealing with chemical stripping agents and bare fluoride fibers, chemically resistant gloves such as our nitrile gloves should always be worn. Refer to any safety documentation for the chemical stripping agent before use.

The AFS900 Adjustable Stripping Tool is capable of stripping the fiber jacket (furcation tubing) and fiber buffer. The blades have a V-groove slot to precisely hold the fiber in the proper position as the stripping tool is closed. The AFS900 has an adjustable blade stop that can be used to ensure that the optical fiber is not cut when stripping the jacket or buffer. This tool is often used when stripping Ø900 µm fiber jacket (tight or loose), and can remove jackets and buffers down to Ø400 µm. Because of the delicate nature of fiber, we recommend that when the AFS900 is used to strip fiber buffer that the stop be properly set and then to dedicate the tool for that purpose. Also available are fiber buffer stripping tools with blades that are dedicated for use with specific fiber cladding and buffer diameters (see above).

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Fiber can be fed through the TBS1400 by pressing down on the two rounded tabs.

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The TBS1400 Tight Buffer Stripper shears off a portion of the buffer, allowing the user to peel the buffer back by hand.

Thorlabs' Vytran^® TBS1400 Tight Buffer Stripping Tool is used to remove tight buffer from Ø900 µm to Ø1400 µm buffered fiber without cutting the coating. It is designed for fibers with coating diameters from 250 µm to 500 µm. The tool consists of eleven slots, each of which is 4" (101.6 mm) long, and a holding plate with an installed blade. Each tool is factory-aligned and tested for cut depth at the slots listed in the lower right table.

To use, place the tool on a flat, clean surface, then push down the two rounded tabs next to the holding plate to raise the holding plate. While holding down the tabs, insert the buffered fiber into the desired slot in the direction marked "Feed", as shown in the image to the far right. Release the tabs to lower the holding plate and pick up the part with one hand. Using your other hand, pull the buffered fiber in the direction marked "Strip". This removes a portion of the buffer, as shown by the drawing directly to the right, and provides a starting point for peeling back the rest of the buffer by hand.

We recommend starting with a slot that will remove less material, then increasing the amount removed until the ideal slot is determined. Our JEL10 and EYL10X Eye Loupes are useful for inspecting the stripped fiber to ensure the coating has not been compromised.

Each TBS1400 stripping tool ships with one single-sided blade pre-installed, as well as ten extra replacement blades. Additional replacement blades are available for purchase in a pack of 100. Instructions for replacing or adjusting the blades are provided in the manual. Replacement requires only a 0.050" balldriver or hex key (not included), while adjustments additionally require a 5/64" balldriver or hex key as well as a flathead screwdriver of appropriate size (neither included).

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FTS3B Replacement Blade Set

The FTS3 Stripping Tool will provide precise cuts through Ø3 mm and Ø3.8 mm furcation tubing. Simply set the depth of the dual cutting blades before placing the cutting tool around the fiber. Then spin the tool around the fiber several times. This results in two precise cuts through the tubing. The furcation tubing between the two cuts can then be removed by using the blade at the end of the FTS3 to make a precise cut through the tubing along the length of the fiber. Each FTS3 also comes with a blade that has a rounded tip. Long cuts along the length of the fiber can be made through the furcation tubing by swapping the blade at the end of the FTS3 with the rounded blade. Simply place the fiber in the end V-groove, press the blade through the furcation tubing, and then draw the fiber through the tool.

Replacement blades (Item # FTS3B) are available for the FTS3 stripping tool. Each FTS3B set contains three straight blades plus the round tipped blade.

This fiber connector crimp tool can be used to crimp SMA, FC, SC, and ST^®* connectors. It has hex crimp sizes of 0.128", 0.151", 0.178", 0.197", and 0.215". Crimping is only required for connectors attached to furcation tubing that is Ø2 mm or greater; Ø900 µm or smaller tubing does not need to be crimped. The color of the handle may vary.

Please note that, when using this tool with our Ø2 mm tubing, epoxy must be used after crimping a sleeve from the 190066CP or 190088CP packs to ensure that it is properly secured to the tubing. For information, please contact Tech Support.

*ST^® is a registered trademark of Lucent Technologies, Inc.

The T186 Kevlar Cutting Shears (Mfg. Item # JIC-186) have carbon steel blades that are specifically designed to cut through Kevlar fibers. One blade is serrated to keep the Kevlar fibers from sliding along the blades as the shears are being closed, which allows the Kevlar fibers to be cut easily. These shears feature an ergonomic loop handle made from dual component nylon and Santoprene™. The tool is 6" (15 cm) long from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle and features an adjustable joint screw for tension adjustments.

It is important to use the T186 cutting scissors only for cutting Kevlar. Any other material, including the silica fiber itself, can potentially damage the precision edge of the blades and make them less effective in cutting Kevlar. 

The BFG1 Bare Fiber Gripper is an ideal aid when removing buffer from an optical fiber. The textured rubber material of this gripper provides a secure hold without damaging the fiber. This method of gripping is recommended over wrapping or clamping the loose end of the fiber, as these techniques can create microfractures in the fiber.

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• Safe Solution for Disposing of Cleaved Fiber Ends
• One Circular and One Rectangular Covered Hole in Lid
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 2.75" x 2.75" x 6" (6.99 cm x 6.99 cm x 15.24 cm)
• Disposable: Do Not Reuse

The FTDU offers a safe solution for disposal of cleaved fiber ends, epoxy and syringes, and other sharp objects. This high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle features a translucent lid with one circular and one rectangular hole in it (see the photo to the right). Both of these holes have individual covers that snap closed to keep the contents inside the unit. Tabs on the side of the lid hold the covers open for hands-free use. The two hole covers are connected by a plastic tab. Cut, or pull, the covers apart to use the holes separately.

To use, insert sharps into one of the holes in the lid. Do not remove the lid itself from the unit. Use the "Contents" space on the label to clearly indicate what is inside. To protect against spills, keep the holes covered when not inserting sharps. When it is full, securely cover both holes in the lid by inserting the tab on the cover into the slot in the lid and dispose of the canister according to the contents. Do not fill the sharps container past the indicated "Full" line on the label. Do not reuse this unit; it is a one-time-use container only.