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PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
at Foss Fiber Optics
Foss combines specialized production equipment with expertise in fiber optics, copper, cable assembly and mechanical manufacturing. Across our production facilities in Norway and Slovakia, we use technologies for fiber termination, polishing, laser stripping, fiber winding, optical and geometrical inspection, environmental testing and product development.
The equipment supports both our own manufacturing and the development of customized customer solutions, from individual products and prototypes to larger production runs.
Technology for specialized manufacturing requirements
Some products require more than standard termination and assembly. Material selection, fiber construction, connector technology and environmental requirements may require specialized production processes and dedicated equipment.
Foss therefore invests in manufacturing technologies that enable us to handle both standard products and more demanding production tasks. This can be relevant for customers looking for a complete manufactured solution, as well as for projects where access to a specific process or production technology is essential.
Foss has access to laser stripping technology for production processes where coatings or other material layers need to be removed in a controlled way.
Laser stripping is a non-contact process and can be relevant for products and components where precision and process control are important, or where mechanical stripping methods are not the preferred solution.
This technology gives Foss additional flexibility in the production and development of specialized fiber and cable solutions.
For applications where optical fiber needs to be wound or spooled in a controlled way, Foss has dedicated fiber winding technology. This equipment enables us to handle fiber on spools and reels as part of the production of customized solutions.
The capability can be relevant for applications where fiber length, winding and controlled fiber handling are important parts of the finished product.
Foss uses dedicated fiber winding equipment, including a Supertek WLT fiber winding machine, as part of its production capabilities.
The quality of the connector end face is critical to the performance of a fiber optic connection. Foss uses precision polishing equipment from manufacturers including Seikoh Giken for fiber optic connector production.
Controlled polishing helps achieve the required end-face geometry and surface quality before the connector moves on to inspection and testing. The polishing technology is used for both standard fiber optic connectors and more specialized cable and connector assemblies.
After polishing, the geometry of the fiber optic connector end face can be inspected using Data-Pixel interferometer. Interferometric inspection makes it possible to measure connector geometry and verify relevant parameters against requirements in the IEC 61755 series.
This provides information that cannot be obtained from optical power measurements alone and enables direct verification of the polished connector end face. For applications with demanding requirements for repeatability and documentation, this can be an important part of the manufacturing and quality process.
Foss uses equipment including the VIAVI MAP 300 platform for optical testing of terminated fiber optic products. Measurements form part of the production control process, and measurement results can be logged and linked to the relevant product.
This provides documentation and traceability for projects where these requirements form part of the delivery.
Products intended for demanding environments may need to be evaluated across a wide temperature range. Foss has climatic chamber capabilities covering temperatures from −40 to +180 °C.
This equipment can be used in product development and for solutions where temperature resistance or specific environmental requirements need to be evaluated.
It is particularly relevant for products developed for demanding industrial, offshore, defense, transportation and other harsh-environment applications.
Foss' production capabilities also include electrical testing of terminated copper products. Dedicated electrical test equipment is used to inspect completed cable assemblies before delivery.
This allows fiber optic, copper and hybrid solutions to be manufactured and tested within the same production environment.
Some connector systems and specialized products place specific requirements on the environment in which they are assembled. Foss therefore has cleanroom facilities for the assembly of selected specialized products and connector systems.
This forms part of our production capability for applications where controlled environmental conditions and cleanliness are important during assembly.
When a standard solution does not meet the requirement, new parts or mechanical elements may need to be developed.
Foss uses 3D printing for prototype development and smaller production runs.
This makes it possible to test an idea, evaluate the physical design and make adjustments before the solution is moved into regular production.
Foss also has in-house mechanical manufacturing capabilities, including:
- CNC machining
- milling
- turning
- in-house toolmaking
- mould production
- plastics manufacturing
- production and assembly of racks and mechanical components
The combination of fiber optic, electrical and mechanical manufacturing capabilities allows more elements of a customized solution to be developed and produced in-house.
Technology combined with
manufacturing expertise
Production equipment alone does not necessarily solve a demanding manufacturing challenge. At Foss, technology is combined with expertise in termination, cable construction, connector technology, testing, product development and series production.
This means we can support customers both when the required manufacturing process is already defined and when the most suitable process first needs to be evaluated.
Depending on the project, we can assist with:
- evaluation of manufacturing methods
- selection of components and materials
- prototyping
- specialized production processes
- testing and documentation
- production of individual products
- small custom production runs
- larger production volumes
From a single process to a complete solution
Some customers need a complete manufactured and tested solution. Others are looking for a manufacturing partner with access to a specific technology or production process.
Foss can support projects at different levels, from a specialized manufacturing operation to the development, production, testing and documentation of a complete product.
With production facilities in Norway and Slovakia, we combine specialized technology with flexible European manufacturing capacity.