Apparatus and method for producing an end of an optical fiber bundle and improved optical fiber bundle made with same

摘要

A method and apparatus are described, which permit a simple, rapid manufacture of an end of an optical fiber bundle. According to the method a metallic sleeve is placed on an end section of the bundle, the end section with the sleeve on it is positioned in a shaping tool without pressing the sleeve and then pressure is exerted on the sleeve exclusively in a radial direction by press jaws of the shaping tool. In the optical fiber bundle made by the method the outer optical fibers ( 4 ') of the optical fiber bundle ( 1 ) are embedded at least partially in the sleeve material. The apparatus for making the end of the bundle ( 1 ) with the sleeve ( 10 ) has a shaping tool ( 20 ) including at least two radially movable press jaws ( 22 a- 22 f) that substantially surround the sleeve ( 10 ).