EoW January 2012

News Technology

Successful demonstration of high speed optical fibre draw process

high speed draw process technology combined with state-of-the-art optical fibre coatings. Using DSM’s DeSolite ® Supercoatings, the trials at Nextrom’s test facility in

Vantaa, Finland demonstrated excellent draw performance and resulting fibre performance at all speeds tested, including at 2,500m/min – 50% faster than average production speeds used globally in the industry. Process speeds of 2,500m/min were achieved in the Optical Fibre Drawing process at Nextrom’s laboratory using state-of-the-art OFC 20 production technology. Using Nextrom’s OFC 20 technology together with DSM's latest-generation optical fibre coatings, the draw technology and material expertise can be seamlessly integrated into the optical fibre manufacturing solution. Fibres drawn had excellent cure levels and consistent geometry, which are important parameters indicative of fibre draw quality. Testing of fibres manufactured in the high speed trials exhibited excellent microbending performance, dynamic fatigue and strip force results — all key properties inherent to DeSolite Supercoatings. are challenged with increasing capacity and efficiency to keep up with market demand while also balancing telecom carriers’ heightened attention on improving both quality and performance,” said Steve Schmid, global applications development manager for fibre optic materials at DSM. “These trials confirm that advanced DeSolite Supercoatings combined with leading fibre draw process technology from Nextrom can deliver optimal value for industry demands.” “Optical fibre manufacturers

Nextrom, turnkey manufacturing solutions for optical preforms and fibres, and DSM Functional Materials, a market leader for optical fibre coatings, have completed trials demonstrating the latest generation of a leader in

Nextrom Oy – Finland Fax : +358 9 5025 3003 Email : info@nextrom.com Website : www.nextrom.com

Royal DSM NV – The Netherlands Website : www.dsm.com

▲ ▲ The drawing of a 200mm diameter preform

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EuroWire – January 2012