US 5,707,565 AGranted

Method and apparatus for manufacturing a ferrule

AssigneeFurukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

InventorsKenji Suzuki, Hiroyuki Yamada, Koichi Takagi, Takashi Shigematsu, Mikio Ishihara

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Abstract

A method for manufacturing a ferrule having butt end face on the front and positioning holes on both sides in the width direction and formed with plurality of fiber holes for inserting optical fibers, arranged in such a manner as to be inclined in the thickness direction, by using at least two molds which are arranged in an opposed manner and either or both of which can be moved in the opening/closing direction. Each of at least two molds has a first forming wall for forming the butt end face and a second forming wall for forming a working portion for applying a pressing force perpendicular to the butt end face at the rear of the ferrule. A core for forming the fiber hole and molding pins for forming the positioning holes are arranged in parallel and held in such a manner as to be inclined at a predetermined angle .theta. in the thickness direction of the ferrule molded by at least two molds.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method for manufacturing a ferrule having a butt end face on a front portion, positioning holes on both sides in a width direction, and a plurality of fiber holes for inserting optical fibers, said method comprising:

arranging at least two molds in an opposed manner such that one or both of said at least two molds can be moved in an opening and closing direction, each of said at least two molds having a first forming wall for forming said butt end face of said ferrule and a second forming wall for forming a working portion for applying a pressing force perpendicular to said butt end face at a rear portion of said ferrule;
providing a core for forming said plurality of fiber holes and molding pins for forming said positioning holes, respectively, said core and said molding pins being arranged in parallel and held in such a manner so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle .theta. with respect to said at least two molds;
and
molding said ferrule in said at least two molds with said core and said molding pins arranged and held therein such that said ferrule is formed with said plurality of fiber holes and said positioning holes arranged in parallel through an entire length of said ferrule at said predetermined angle .theta. with respect to said ferrule.

1 more element

A molding apparatus for manufacturing a ferrule having a butt end face on a front portion, positioning holes on both sides in a width direction, and a plurality of fiber holes for inserting optical fibers, said molding apparatus comprising:

at least two molds arranged in an opposed manner such that one or both of said at least two molds can be moved in an opening and closing direction, each of said at least two molds having a first forming wall for forming said butt end face of said ferrule and a second forming wall for forming a working portion for applying a pressing force perpendicular to said butt end face at a rear portion of said ferrule;
and
a core for forming said plurality of fiber holes and molding pins for forming said positioning holes, respectively, said core and said molding pins being arranged in parallel and held in such a manner as to be inclined at a predetermined angle .theta. with respect to said at least two molds,
whereby said ferrule is formed with said plurality of fiber holes and said positioning holes arranged in parallel through an entire length of said ferrule at said predetermined angle .theta. with respect to said ferrule.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.