Page 28 - EngineerIt June 2021

FIBRE TECHNOLOGY

Successful fibre networks demand

a quality first approach

ibre to the home (FTTH) had a slow start in South Africa but always adheres to factory specifications. We do not just perform
once it took off there was no stopping it and it created many a ‘clean-up service’ but rather perform a complete calibration
Fopportunities for new companies to emerge. service. Only our service engineers are qualified and experienced
It was once believed that only highly trained specialist to service Fujikura equipment and we offer a three day turn-around.
technicians could be employed to do installations and manage a
fibre installation, but the industry soon realised that a more practical Service procedure
approach was needed. This led to the development of test and fibre When a Fujikura product arrives at the lab for repair or service,
splicing equipment that could be handled by trained operators. a pre-service assessment is completed initially. This is done to
A Japanese company, Fujikura, which was founded in the calculate the approximate cost of the repair and a quote is issued.
late 1800s, introduced its first fibre splicing equipment in 1974 Any anomalies are discussed with the client and issues like
and went on to become one of the world’s most trusted suppliers negligence by the operator, are brought to the client’s attention.
to the industry. The next step is to strip and clean the unit as fibre debris on the
In South Africa the fibre boom started some years later gears of a splice machine is fatal to the motors and gearboxes.
and training courses to become a fibre installation operator The fibre path, i.e. mirrors, lenses, clamps and V-grooves are
emerged to satisfy the requirements of the industry. Bodies like cleaned and inspected under our high-power digital microscope.
the FTTH council were set up to look after the interests of this With the cleaver, we clean and check the fibre plate and blade
emerging industry. under the microscope.
Entrepreneur Zach Yacumakis saw the opportunity and in 2011 We then align the X and Y optical paths of the splice machine
founded IC Logistics (ICL), acquiring the South African distribution in order to ensure the arc discharge is straight across the two
rights for Fujikura Ltd for a popular range of equipment for the fibre- electrodes. An angled arc reduces the life of a splice by as much
optic telecommunications market. As an importer and distributor as 25 years and causes premature wear of the electrodes.
of specialised technology and equipment, ICL is presently the sole Motors and sensors are calibrated next, before calibrating the
distributor for Fujikura Ltd splicer equipment and AFL (American arc duration and arc temperature. The unit is tested in different
Fujikura Limited) test and inspection equipment in Southern Africa. splice modes and a calibration certificate is issued after successful
Splicing of optic fibre is an exact science. The two fibres have completion of all the tests. All services and repairs are performed
to be precisely aligned and the right temperature has to be applied using specialised tools, equipment and software. n
to bond two fibres and make a perfectly aligned joint. Failing to get
two fibres aligned and welded correctly will cause the light signal to
be reflected at the faulty joint, much like a break in a copper cable,
and the signals will go nowhere.
Yacumakis said that Fujikura splicing equipment is considered
the best available, being compact, battery operated and easy to
use under most field conditions. He said, “It is not the cheapest but
the most economical on the market because it is durable and will
operate for a long period before needing to be serviced.”
IC Logistics has a fully equipped workshop with Fujikura trained
technicians carrying out maintenance and repairs where needed.
But as with all fast-growing markets, grey equipment has made
an appearance, often catching people with so-called bargains.
Yacumakis said that they will only maintain and service genuine
Fujikura equipment.
“We have invested heavily in a state-of-the-art technical
service centre at our head office in Randburg. Our highly trained
technicians have the expertise to support all Fujikura products,
including fusion splicers, AFL Noyes testers and measurement
equipment. It is recommended by Fujikura Ltd. Japan that all
equipment manufactured by them and distributed by us be
calibrated annually. Electrode replacement service is as per
manufacturers specification, depending on the model. Establishing
a regular calibration cycle will ensure that Fujikura equipment

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