Optical fiber unit and machining method for optical fiber unit

Abstract

A machining method for an optical fiber unit, includes: preparing an optical fiber unit in which a first optical fiber ribbon that intermittently connects a first plurality of optical fibers and a second optical fiber ribbon that intermittently connects a second plurality of optical fibers are layered and arranged, the first optical fiber ribbon and the second optical fiber ribbon are intermittently connected in a length direction by interlayer connection parts; opening up a separation part between the first optical fiber ribbon and the second optical fiber ribbon; and breaking the interlayer connection parts by inserting a finger or a division tool into the opened separation part.

1 . A machining method for an optical fiber unit, the machining method comprising:
 preparing an optical fiber unit in which a first optical fiber ribbon that intermittently connects a first plurality of optical fibers and a second optical fiber ribbon that intermittently connects a second plurality of optical fibers are layered and arranged, the first optical fiber ribbon and the second optical fiber ribbon are intermittently connected in a length direction by interlayer connection parts;   opening up a separation part between the first optical fiber ribbon and the second optical fiber ribbon; and   breaking the interlayer connection parts by inserting a finger or a division tool into the opened separation part.   
     
     
         2 . A machining method for an optical fiber unit, the machining method comprising:
 preparing an optical fiber unit in which a first optical fiber ribbon that intermittently connects a first plurality of optical fibers and a second optical fiber ribbon that intermittently connects a second plurality of optical fibers are layered and arranged, the first optical fiber ribbon and the second optical fiber ribbon are intermittently connected in a length direction by interlayer connection parts;   separating the first plurality of optical fibers of the first optical fiber ribbon and the second plurality of optical fibers of the second optical fiber ribbon into a plurality of single optical fibers in an end part of the optical fiber unit in the length direction; and   arranging the plurality of single optical fibers in one row by setting the optical fiber unit in a holder.   
     
     
         3 . The machining method for an optical fiber unit according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 setting, in a sheath removing device, the holder in which the plurality of single optical fibers of the optical fiber unit are arranged in one row; and   removing sheaths of the first plurality of optical fibers of the first optical fiber ribbon and sheaths of the second plurality of optical fibers of the second optical fiber ribbon together using a pair of blades of the sheath removing device.   
     
     
         4 . The machining method for an optical fiber unit according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 setting, in a cutting device, the holder in which the plurality of single optical fibers of the optical fiber unit are arranged in one row; and   cutting the first plurality of optical fibers of the first optical fiber ribbon and the second plurality of optical fibers of the second optical fiber ribbon together by moving a cutting blade of the cutting device in a direction in which the plurality of optical fibers are aligned.   
     
     
         5 . The machining method for an optical fiber unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 when opening up the separation part, a force is applied in the length direction to the optical fiber unit to reduce an interval between the interlayer connection parts.   
     
     
         6 . The machining method for an optical fiber unit according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the holder includes a base part and a lid part, and   when arranging the plurality of the optical fibers in one row, the plurality of layered and arranged single optical fibers of the optical fiber unit are sandwiched between the base part and the lid part.