Method of forming a fiber ribbon cable unit

A method of forming a fiber ribbon cable unit from a plurality of individual fibers of insulated construction having first, second and third insulated portions, comprising the steps of:

• stripping the insulation from the insulated third portions of the fibers;
• stripping the insulation from parts of the insulated second portions of the fibers to form end surfaces on the insulation intermediate opposite ends of the second portions;
• positioning the insulated first portions of the individual fibers adjacent an entrance end of a fiber-receiving transition means in spaced relationship;
• mounting the second portions of the individual fibers in the fiber-receiving transition means in converging relationship such that the third insulation-stripped portions of the fibers exit from an exit passage in the transition means in closely adjacent relationship;
• abutting the end surfaces on the remaining insulation on the second portions of the fibers against internal stop surfaces of the fiber-receiving transition means to locate the second portions of the optical fibers in the transition means;
• attaching an end portion of a first flexible strip to an exit end of the fiber-receiving transition means;
• mounting the insulation-stripped third portions of the fibers in a planar array on the first flexible strip;
• positioning a second flexible strip over the insulation-stripped third portions of the fibers on the first flexible strip;
• and
• bonding the first and second flexible strips to one another with the insulation-stripped third portions of the fibers therebetween, to form the fiber ribbon cable unit.