Adjustable

Thermal Stripper
User’s Guide
Safety Information & Precautions __________________________________________________ 4
Transportation & Storage __________________________________________________________ 6
Introduction to the Adjustable TS __________________________________________________ 7
Unboxing the ADJ TS ______________________________________________________________ 8
The ADJ TS at a Glance _________________________________________________________ 9
Accessories Included __________________________________________________________ 10
Optional Accessories __________________________________________________________ 10
Initial Setup _____________________________________________________________________ 11
Strip Length Setup _____________________________________________________________ 11
Strip Length Fine Adjustment ___________________________________________________ 12
Time & Temperature Adjustment ________________________________________________ 13
Fiber Size/Blade Adjustment ____________________________________________________ 14
General Use _____________________________________________________________________ 16
Preparing the ADJ TS ___________________________________________________________ 16
Loading the Fiber ______________________________________________________________ 16
Stripping the Fiber _____________________________________________________________ 17
Maintenance ___________________________________________________________________ 18
Tech Support ____________________________________________________________________ 19

Thermal Stripper Users Guide | 6/13/2014

 Copyright Notice
©2014 3SAE Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of this manual in any form requires written permission from 3SAE
Technologies, Inc.
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Safety Information & Precautions
 The use of safety glasses is recommended. Fragments of fiber can cause injury if
they come into contact with eyes

 Observe all safety precautions common to the handling of optical fibers and
dispose of fiber scraps safely

 Do not operate the Thermal Stripper in the vicinity of flammable vapors or liquids.
Operation of the unit in such an environment may increase the risk of fire or
explosion

 Before storing, the Thermal Stripper should be turned off and the heating element
cooled to room temperature. This should also be done before cleaning with
compressed gas or canned air. These products can contain flammable materials
or contaminants that may ignite

 Use only the A/C adapter that is supplied with the Thermal Stripper. Using an
improper power supply may permanently damage the Thermal Stripper

 Do not modify or disassemble the Thermal Stripper or any of its accessories,

including the power supply

 The heating element operates at temperatures up to 200° C. Never place your

fingers inside the lid or touch the heating element surface, as burns may result

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 The sides and bottom of the unit may become warm to the touch after prolonged
use

 Turn the Thermal Stripper off when not in use

 Do not expose any portion of the Thermal Stripper to water or other liquids

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  Use of this unit should be restricted to personnel that:
 Have been appropriately trained in handing of optical fiber and related
materials
 Have read, understood, and will follow all usage and safety instructions in this
manual

 Note: It is the responsibility of the user to use this product for its intended purpose
and according to this manual. 3SAE Technologies cannot be responsible for
damages or injury resulting from failure to follow these instructions
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Transportation & Storage
The Thermal Stripper must be protected against humidity, vibrations, and shock during
transportation and storage.

Save the packaging materials for future use and always transport the Thermal Stripper
in its original packaging material with the marked side up to prevent damage.

Keep the Thermal Stripper clean and dry.

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 Introduction to the Adjustable TS
The Adjustable Thermal Stripper (ADJ TS) is a fiber preparation unit designed to thermo-
mechanically remove coatings from optical fibers.

It is designed to support from 40µm to 1000µm glass optical fibers.

This manual is intended to instruct the user in the routine use, adjustment, and
maintenance of the ADJ TS.
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Unboxing the ADJ TS
1 Begin by opening the box.
2 Remove the ADJ TS unit.
3 Remove all of the included accessories.
4 Compare the contents of the package with the Accessories Included list and the
packing slip to verify that everything has been received.

Note: Please save all original packaging materials to be used for future shipments

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 The ADJ TS at a Glance

LED Adjustment Set Screw

Blade Adjustment Screw

Blade

Heating Element

Cam Screw Platform

Cleaning Brush Magnet

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Time Adjustment Temp Adjustment

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 Accessories Included

The ADJ TS comes standard with the following accessories.

Item What it’s used for

Power supply w/cord Connect the power supply to the ADJ TS using the cord
then plug it into a standard power out to operate

Cleaning Brush Used to clean fiber debris that builds up on the blade
and heating element

Optional Accessories

Generic Platform Universal clamp used to improve fiber handling

Fitel Platform Used to accommodate the Fitel style fiber holder

Fujikura Platform Used to accommodate the Fujikura style fiber holder

Ericsson Platform Used to accommodate the Ericsson style fiber holder

3SAE Ultrasonic Cleaner When stripping any fiber, it is recommended to clean

the fiber using IPA or acetone in an ultrasonic cleaner

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 Initial Setup
Strip Length Setup

To set a specific strip length:

1 Loosen the set screw.

2 Rotate the cam screw to the desired location.
3 Tighten the set screw to lock the cam into position.

The cam and cam set screw can be removed and relocated into the ADJ TS base for
additional stripping length.

Cam Screw

Cam Set Screw

Cam Screw Relocation

Cam Set Screw Relocation

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 Strip Length Fine Adjustment

For a fine adjustment to the strip length when using a Fitel/Fujikura fiber holder, move,
then adjust the platform screw.

Adjustment Screw

Screw Relocation / Adjustment

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 Time & Temperature Adjustment

For some coatings, it may be necessary to adjust the time and temperature settings to
ensure proper stripping of the fiber.

The time dial sets the Wait Time in seconds. The factory default is 3 for SMF coatings.
Increase the time if the stripping process is not smooth and the fiber does not strip
cleanly.

The temperature dial sets the Set Point in Celsius. The factory default is 6 (80°C) for SMF
coatings. Increase the temperature if the stripping process is not smooth and the fiber
does not strip cleanly.

Note: Reduce the temperature if melting of the coating occurs

Value Time(s) Temp(C) Value Time(s) Temp(C)

0 0 OFF 8 16 130
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1 2 60 9 18 140
2 4 70 A 20 150
3 6 80 B 22 160
4 8 90 C 24 170
5 10 100 D 26 180
6 12 110 E 28 190
7 14 120 F 30 200

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 Fiber Size/Blade Adjustment

For different cladding diameters, it is necessary to adjust the blade for optimum
performance.

Note: Prior to adjusting the blade, notate what diameter the unit is set to. This will help
in knowing what direction to open the blade to

1 Loosen the adjustment set screw by turning it counter clockwise.

2 Load a fiber onto the ADJ TS.
3 Move the fiber into the stripping position.

Adjustment Set Screw

Blade Adjustment Screw

Thermal Stripper Users Guide | 6/13/2014

4 Turn the blade adjustment screw until the blades contact the fiber enough for
an initial strip.
a. Counterclockwise will close the blade opening.
b. Clockwise will open the blade opening.
5 Attempt to strip the fiber.
a. If the fiber does not strip, repeat step 4 and 5.
b. If the fiber does strip, proceed to step 6.

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 6 Place the stripped portion of the fiber in the closed blade and tighten the blade
adjustment screw until the blade grabs the fiber cladding. Test this by sliding the
fiber back and forth.
7 This setting should allow the fiber to move through the blade with slight friction
caused by contact with the blades.
8 Turn the adjustment screw (clockwise) slightly, approximately 15 degrees.
9 Tighten the adjustment set screw to lock in the blade setting.
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General Use
This section describes the standard operation procedures for using the ADJ TS.

Preparing the ADJ TS

1 Connect the power supply to the ADJ TS.

Note: Plugging in power on the ADJ TS will power on the unit. Once powered on, the
unit will begin to heat to the set temperature, indicated by a solid red LED. Once the
ADJ TS reaches temperature, the LED will flash red

Loading the Fiber

2 Slide the installed platform all the way to the left, towards the blade and heating
element.

Generic Platform
3A Place a fiber into the platform
a. Ensure that the fiber extends to the edge of the heating element.
b. Ensure that the fiber lays onto the lower ‘V’ of the blades.

Fitel, Furukawa, Ericsson Platform

3B Load the fiber holder onto the fiber platform.
c. Ensure that the fiber extends to the edge of the heating element

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d. Ensure that the fiber lays onto the lower ‘V’ of the blades.

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 Stripping the Fiber

4 Close the blades by pressing down on the lid.

Note: The LED will turn yellow for the duration of the set Wait Time. The LED will turn
green to indicate the fiber is ready to be stripped

5 (when the LED turns green) Continue to keep the blades closed and slide the
platform away from the blade and heating element.

6 Release the lid and remove the fiber holder.

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Maintenance
The ADJ TS will build up debris on the blade and in the heating area as it is used. This
debris will affect the strength of the stripped fiber.

Note: For optimal performance, it is recommended to clean the blade and heating
element after every strip

Cleaning the Blade

Cleaning the Heating Area

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 Tech Support
Please refer below to contact 3SAE Technologies, Inc. with questions regarding your
ADJ TS.

Email support@3SAE.com

Website www.3SAE.com

Technical Support Lines Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST

615-778-8812 Extension 2

After Normal Business Hours 800-864-1404

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