FIBER REINFORCED OPTICAL FIBER AND ITS PRODUCTION

摘要

PURPOSE:To exert only the tension in the stage of drawing out to an optical fiber in a way as to avoid exertion of other force thereto and to prevent disconnection by positioning loosely the optical fiber into a hollow pipe formed on the outside circumference of the drawn-out optical fiber core. CONSTITUTION:An optical fiber core 1 is drawn out continuously from a bobbin 2 and is sent into a pipe forming machine 3 where a molten thermoplastic resin is extruded into a cylindrical shape of a small diameter and is immediately cooled to form a core pipe 4 having a small diameter. The core 1 is inserted in a loose state into the pipe 4 and a reinforcing fiber bundle 6 consisting of glass fibers, etc. on a bobbin 5 is passed through an unsatd. polyester tank 7 and is coated on the outside of the pipe 4. The fiber is further passed through a forming ring 8 and a melt extruder 9 by which the pipe is coated with a thermoplastic resin 10. The pipe passes thereafter through a cooling tank 11 and a wire- shaped material 12 is obtd. Said material is cured in a curing tank 13, is delivered therefrom and is taken up on a take-up reel 23.