Methods and systems for producing thermoplastic coated optical fibers

A method for producing a coated optical fiber, the method comprising:

• drawing an optical fiber from a draw furnace along a first vertical pathway;
• routing the optical fiber through at least one first fluid bearing wherein the at least one first fluid bearing redirects the optical fiber along a second vertical pathway, the fluid bearing having a tapered channel therein defined by at least two sidewalls, the fiber being retained between said two sidewalls during said routing step;
• applying a thermoplastic coating to the optical fiber with a thermoplastic coating system;
• and
• winding the optical fiber onto a fiber storage spool with a fiber take-up system wherein the fiber take up system is spaced apart from the thermoplastic coating system such that the thermoplastic coating may be cooled before the optical fiber is wound onto the fiber storage spool.