With a range of polishing machines including Domaille, Huber & Suhner and APC 8000’s we have the capability to polish all mainstream connector types and most legacy as well. Following end-face polishing, we use either DORC or Data Pixel Daisi interferometer for 3D geometric analysis. Prior to optical testing, all enfaces undergo thorough cleaning with the bench-mount Seikoh Giken Ferrule Pro followed by clarity and scratch analysis inspection where we use a combination of both digital and lensed microscopes.
Capabilities
TERMINATION SPECIALISTS
Our fibre optic engineering team have the ability and know-how to terminate most fibre optic connectivity solutions.
With experience and tooling for most branded solutions of mainstream product sets and for many proprietary connectors we can provide a termination service that will likely fit the bill.
PATCH CORDS
Patch cords to bespoke length are commonly catered for with rapid turnaround times.
Typical connectors such as MTP / MPO, LCHD, LC, SC, FC/PC, ST, SMA, E2000 and APC (angle polished) variants are stocked in large volumes for custom made, rapid termination and despatch.
Complementary to our Exfo test equipment range, high specification Test Reference & Master patch cords are made in-house. OTDR launch reels, boxes and dead zone eliminators as well as 19” rack mount test beds. These contain anything from 50m to 100km of fibre with custom pre-built events for network simulation.
SPECIALITY TERMINATIONS
Some of the speciality terminations include; PM fibre assemblies with high polarised extinction ratio’s, terminations onto small core such as 4/125 or 6/125 or for large core HCS such as 200µm or 400µm. We terminate directly onto fibre tailed laser modules and on-board optic circuitry with single fibre or arrayed configurations such as MTP/MPO ferrules. We also support many legacy connectivity products like SMA 905/906, MTRJ and TAP8 (DIN).
For external connectivity, where the mated pair needs to be surface mount or daisy chained, there is a wide variety of solutions available from Leader Optec. Expanded beam connectors, using ball lensed technology onto tactical cables are terminated in-house. For those applications where butt-joint connectors for physical contact and lower losses are required, we can provide and terminate ODVA compliant or military specified and approved MIL-DLT-38999 assemblies. There is a wide range of choice, whether it be for a single fibre or up to 48 fibres within a single housing that is required, Leader Optec can terminate in the UK.
HIGH DENSITY ASSEMBLIES
Our Welsh and UK based facility produces high density MTP® / MPO / MPO+ assemblies and a range of LC HD connector styles from brands including Lite Linke, Huber & Suhner, RDM, Senko and Sanwa. Each connector style has its own unique merits dependent on the application and network requirements. For MTP / MPO, there is a range of cable types from single jacketed/single connector to multi-tailed cables that can be configured with Base-8 MPO, Base-12 or Base-24 and up to 144 fibres per trunk cable assembly. For the LC HD connector styles, we manufacture assemblies on 1.6mm, 2mm or 3mm zip twin duplex, or the increasingly popular round duplex cable which maximises cable space or onto Hydra type cables with multiple tails.
PRE-TERMINATED CABLES
With a multitude of different designs for a multitude of applications and conditions, Pre-Terminated cabling is Leader Optec’s core business. The basic concept of installing a pre-connectorized cable presents some huge benefits over on-site termination or fusion splicing pigtails onto cable. Major advantages include installation speed – this can save hours per cable plus it negates the need for skilled terminators and jointers and the specialise equipment required. Instead, assembly in a near clean-room manufactured environment, the whole pre-term is made to specification – length, labelling and performance – complete with Tier 1 or Tier 2 test certification. The pre-term connector tails can be fitted with a clear flexible protection sock to prevent damage to the connectors during installation. To get started, its simply choose the cable jacket material and construction to suit the environment, choose the type of closure, junction box or receptacle the pre-term is fitted to, choose the number of fibres and connector type required. We can then guide you through to the rest.
COPPER TERMINATION
To complement our high speed networking portfolio, Leader Optec manufactures custom length Category 5e to Category 7A cable assemblies, both patch cables and pre-term looms.
We offer immediate despatch for standard length patch cords/ jumper cables, with fast lead-times and UK manufacture on custom length or design, such as special pin-out, labelling, boot colour. Our pre-term loom service is our description for Cat5e-Cat7A pre-connectorized cables with either RJ45 plugs or Keystone Jacks. Generally they’re configured as single cables or in multiples up to 24 cables per loom, which can be fitted into an expandable sock or banded together with velcro® ties. The components can be on free-issued to us or Leader Optec supplied.
QUALITY & TESTING
Firstly, all production staff are assessed and NVQ qualified for their task in-hand. All assemblies are made to a standard or customised drawings with various check point along the process. Leader Optec has some of the best equipment available for inspection and test measurement and all fibre and copper cable assemblies are 100% tested prior to leaving our facility. Take an MTP® single-mode assembly, for which our technicians have received training and certification directly from UC Conec. The process is Visual Inspection at 400x magnification for cracks or blemishes , recorded Interferometry check ensuring each individual fibre has the correct end-face geometry. Also, as there are up to 24f in a single connector, that all fibres correlate within both X & Y axis of the ferrule. The next process is recorded insertion loss, then return loss testing, then polarity check finishing with a final recorded visual inspection check. At the packing stage, there will be final QC check for assembly against the drawing for labelling, packaging and general aesthetics. The process flow is as highlighted below:
Polarity ⇨ Visual ⇨ Interferometer ⇨ Polarity ⇨ Visual ⇨ Final
QUALITY, TESTING & ACCESSORIES
Quality is not to be confused with grade and at Leader Optec, we manufacture and supply product to a very consistent quality plan.
We make what the customer expects whether it be to the highest grade and performance or to a fit-for-purpose grade and budget to match.
Under our ISO9001:2015 accreditation and in-line with IEC industry standards and customer specification our people and equipment provide customer satisfaction.
With some of the best test and measurement equipment available and embedded process control we aim to provide guaranteed quality assurance.
OPTICAL PERFORMANCE
Optical performance testing generally follows Tier 1 using Light Source and Power Meter for insertion loss and return loss measurement. We work to industry and customer specifications which often exceeds Grade A and Grade B tolerances for specific projects. For many pre-terminated solutions, Tier 2 testing using OTDR measurements with launch and tail leads in situ is available. This test provides a full trace which will provide losses and length for fuller interrogation.
PROTOTYPING & 3D PRINTING
We have prototyping and 3D printing capability in-house and numerous product stress type testing apparatus to prove our designs. We understand that small and subtle changes to standard components can often make all the difference to customer and project requirements. It may be a colour change, a special labelling requirement or alternative packaging. You’ll find that Leader Optec is large enough to cope but small enough to care.
SYSTEM PRODUCTS
To compliment the manufacturing business, the company actively designs and stocks a variety of system products such as patch panels, closures and boxes. These are typical containment for pre-terminated cables or bulk cables for splicing on site.