Clean fiber connectors
Risk of injury from laser radiation
When the product is switched on, there is a danger
of injuries due to laser radiation during the performance
of maintenance work. Laser radiation can
damage the eyes and skin.
e Only perform maintenance work with the laser
switched off (Switching on/off
Before inserting the fiber in the optics (e.g., during installation, fiber or
optics replacement), the fiber connector must be checked for contamination
and cleaned as required.
Notes about
cleaning
ð Only use the cleaning materials described in this operating manual.
ð Only follow the cleaning procedure described in this operating
manual.
ð Never touch the quartz-block end-face or the glass surface of the
screwable protective sleeve with your fingers.
Use of compressed air
ð Never use compressed air in the immediate
vicinity of the fiber connector, since this may
lead to contamination of the quartz-block endface.
Required materials
You need the following materials for the cleaning:
• Lint-free cleaning swabs
• Isopropanol (anhydrous)
• Acetone (anhydrous)
• Compressed air (oil-free, anhydrous)
• Microscope, model IPG or similar
• Light-source
The cleaning swabs are included in the scope of delivery. The microscope
and compressed air are included with the order.
Preparation 1. Ensure a clean working place close to the process optics. Then
minimize the risk of a re-contamination of the fiber connector after
the cleaning process.
2. Keep a clean protective cap available for the process optics.
3. Remove any impurities within the protective cap with compressed air as a precaution before use.
4. After cleaning, place the protective cap on a clean storage surface with the open side down.
5. Place the microscope ona level surface close to ensure a secure base of the microscope.
Disconnecting the fiber connector Some tasks (exchange of the optics or the fiber) require the fiber connector
to be removed beforehand.
6. If possible, align the process optics horizontally with the fiber connector so that the position of the fiber connector is parallel to the floor.
7. Use a damp cloth to remove coarse dirt from the fiber connector and the optics near the fiber connector.
8. Alternatively, you can remove the coarse dirt with compressed air. After compressed air usage, wait a while until any dispersed dust has settled before you disconnect the fiber connector from the optics.
9. Disconnect the fiber connector from the optics (see the following
figure). To unlock the bayonet mount, turn the grooved handle
counterclockwise until the stop (1). Pull the fiber connector carefully
off (2).
1
2
Figure 80: Unplugging fiber connectors (here: a HLC-8 fiber plug into an FCH-8 adapter)
10. Immediately seal the optics with the cleaned protective cap.
Cleaning the fiber
connector
11. Place the fiber connector in the holder on the microscope (see figure
Microscope).
12. Switch the microscope's light source on and point this towards
the surface to be cleaned.
