APPARATUS FOR FORMING LATERALLY LIGHT EMITTING FIBER OPTIC CABLE, LATERALLY LIGHT EMITTING FIBER OPTIC CABLE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

摘要

An apparatus (30) is provided for forming a fiber optic cable (C) having a plurality of micro-bends (B) in a relatively uniform pattern in each of a plurality of plastic fiber optic strands (S) thereof to thereby increase the amount of light laterally and uniformly transmitted from the fiber optic cable (C). The apparatus preferably includes a supply having a plurality of plastic fiber optic strands (S), a micro-bend former (50) positioned downstream from the supply and positioned to individually receive each of the plurality of plastic fiber optic strands (S) in a spaced apart relation for forming a plurality of micro-bends (B) in a relatively uniform pattern in each of the plurality of strands (S), and a strand guide positioned downstream from the micro-bend former (50) and positioned to receive each of the plurality of micro-bend strands for guiding the plurality of spaced-apart, micro-bent strands into an abuttingly contacting relation.