Double stripping fixture and process for fiber optic cables

A double stripping fixture for removing a buffer layer and a coating layer of a fiber optic cable, the double stripping fixture including:

• a guide plate including first and second ends, the guide plate defining a first channel at the first end, a second channel at the second end, and a cutout positioned between the first and second channels;
• a spacer adapted to be inserted into the first and second channels of the guide plate, wherein the spacer includes a first major surface and an opposite second major surface;
• a first set of blades adapted to be positioned within the first and second channels of the guide plate such that the first set of blades is positioned adjacent to the first major surface of the spacer, the first set of blades being configured to strip the buffer layer away from the coating layer of the fiber optic cable such that the coating layer is exposed;
• and
• a second set of blades adapted to be positioned within the first and second channels of the guide plate such that the second set of blades is positioned adjacent to the second major surface of the spacer, the second set of blades being configured to strip the buffer layer and the coating layer away from the fiber optic cable to expose a bare optical fiber;
• wherein the spacer is configured to provide a gap between the first and second sets of blades positioned within the first and second channels of the guide plate, and wherein the first and second sets of blades cut the fiber optic cable simultaneously.

A double stripping fixture for removing a buffer layer and a coating layer from a fiber optic cable, the double stripping fixture including:

• a guide plate defining a first channel and a second channel;
• a cover plate configured to mount over the guide plate;
• a spacer configured to be inserted into the first and second channels of the guide plate, wherein the spacer includes a first major surface and an opposite second major surface;
• a first set of blades configured to be positioned within the first and second channels of the guide plate such that the first set of blades is positioned adjacent to the first major surface of the spacer, the first set of blades being configured to cut into the buffer layer to strip the buffer layer away from the coating layer of the fiber optic cable such that the coating layer is exposed;
• and
• a second set of blades configured to be positioned within the first and second channels of the guide plate such that the second set of blades is positioned adjacent to the second major surface of the spacer, the second set of blades being configured to cut into the buffer layer and the coating layer to strip the buffer layer and the coating layer away from the fiber optic cable to expose a bare optical fiber;
• wherein the spacer is configured to provide a gap between the first and second sets of blades positioned within the first and second channels of the guide plate, and wherein the first and second sets of blades cut the fiber optic cable simultaneously.

A method of removing a protective layer and a coating layer from a fiber optic cable, the method comprising:

• providing a cable stripping tool, the cable stripping tool including a clamp that is adapted to move axially to strip the protective and coating layers, the cable stripping tool including first and second sets of blades adapted to move radially inward and radially outward, the first set of blades being spaced apart from the second set of blades by a spacer, the spacer creating a gap therebetween;
• moving the first and second sets of blades radially inward to engage the fiber optic cable;
• cutting the fiber optic cable to a first depth that extends through the protective layer of the fiber optic cable to expose the coating layer and simultaneously cutting the fiber optic cable to a second depth that extends through the protective layer and the coating layer of the fiber optic cable to expose a bare fiber;
• and
• moving the clamp axially in a direction away from the first and second sets of blades to strip the protective layer and the coating layer from the fiber optic cable.