Assembly in Action: Robots Help Assemble Fiber Optic Pigtails
Incorrect component assembly causes misalignment of the fiber cables, which greatly reduces the output capacity of the finished connectors. Traditional first pass yields from these manual assembly operations are in the 5 percent to 10 percent range. The results can be costly and time-consuming, especially if operators have to rework or scrap expensive components.
RTS Wright Industries (Nashville, TN), a manufacturer of automation equipment, designed a modular, semiautomatic system for assembling fiber optic pigtails. Operators load precut fiber cable onto a pallet. The next station automatically strips, cleans and cuts the cable ends.