Methods of removing coating material from optical fibers

A method of removing a buffer coating from an optical fiber, wherein the buffer coating surrounds a primary coating on the optical fiber, the method comprising:

• positioning an end section of the optical fiber next to an end of a tube, wherein at least a portion of the end section of the optical fiber includes the primary coating and the buffer coating, and further wherein the tube has an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the primary coating and an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the buffer coating;
• applying energy to heat the buffer coating;
• inserting the end section of the optical fiber into the tube so that the buffer coating contacts the end of the tube;
• and
• advancing the end section of the optical fiber along the tube, wherein the tube removes the buffer coating from the primary coating as the end section of the optical fiber is advanced;
• wherein the tube is part of a fiber optic connector that also includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends, and a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of the ferrule bore, the method further comprising:
• applying energy to heat the bonding agent;
• advancing the end section of the optical fiber through the tube, into the ferrule bore, and through the bonding agent when the bonding agent is heated, wherein the heated bonding agent thermally removes at least a portion of the primary coating when the end section of the optical fiber passes through the bonding agent;
• and
• securing the optical fiber in the ferrule bore with the bonding agent.