| 摘要 |
A middle portion (13) of an optical fiber encapsulation (11) of an optical fiber ribbon is selectively removed, while leaving intact separated ribbon portions (14, 15) and optical fiber portions (12) extending between the separated ribbon portions. The exposed optical fiber portions are next contained between a pair of first optical fiber support members (18, 19) on opposite sides of the fiber portions. The support members are then preferably contained and encapsulated (FIGS. 7, 8) by injection molding plastic around them, which additionally reinforces the adjacent optical fiber ribbon portions. The optical fiber ribbon is cut for use by cutting transversely through the first support members and the optical fiber portions. This exposes optical fiber ends (27) which are polished for alignment and abutment to other optical fiber ends. The optical fiber support members also define an alignment aperture (20) that extends substantially parallel to the optical fiber portions. Second optical fiber support members supporting second optical fibers are then aligned with the optical fiber portions by an alignment pin (29) inserted into the alignment aperture. Connectors can be mounted at periodic intervals on an entire reel of optical fiber ribbon (FIG. 12).
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