Abstract
An optical fiber array is an optical communication device that consists of multi-core optical fibers and a V-grooved substrate. Due to the use of DWDM systems, the demand for optical fiber arrays has increased significantly. In this research, for the mass production of optical fiber arrays, we considered and proposed technology that automates the insertion of fiber into the V groove. First, we figured out the positioning accuracy necessary to insert the fiber inside the V groove by considering the lateral offset and the angular offset of the fiber's fixed end. Next, we measured the relative positions of the fiber and the V groove with a CCD camera, and developed a positioning mechanism that allows the fiber to move within a certain allowable range. Therefore, we developed an automatic assembly machine that accurately inserts two ribbon fibers, each with 12 cores, into a 24-core V-grooved substrate.
