Systems and methods for a vacuum gripper assembly

A method of gripping an optical fiber, the method comprising:

• providing a fiber optic positioning and retention system comprising:
• a fiber retention mechanism;
• one or more fiber alignment blocks, each of the one or more fiber alignment blocks comprising:
• a first alignment surface;
• a first groove extending along a length of the first alignment surface of the fiber alignment block;
• and
• at least one aperture passing through the fiber alignment block to the first groove;
• at least one chuck positioned within the at least one aperture, the at least one chuck comprising a second groove that is aligned with the first groove;
• and
• at least one vacuum chuck piston coupled to the at least one chuck;
• positioning the optical fiber within the first groove;
• actuating the at least one chuck;
• positioning a second alignment surface of the at least one chuck flush with the first alignment surface of the fiber alignment block;
• positioning the optical fiber within the second groove of the at least one chuck;
• actuating the at least one vacuum chuck piston for guiding the optical fiber toward an apex of the second groove;
• gripping a portion of the optical fiber via the fiber retention mechanism;
• and
• retracting the fiber alignment block.