Hot Water Fiber Bending Procedure

Overview

The light guide is offset soon after the SciFi section in an S-bend to reduce the amount of fiber exposed to the electrons' trajectory. Fibers are placed within a water tank, heated with the water, then bent and cool within the tank. The process takes many hours.

Procedure

Measuring Fibers

Before beginning the bending procedure, you will first need to determine the most appropriate position for the fibers in the particular bundle you are constructing. The cross-sectional width of the fuse sites vary from fiber to fiber. To avoid having a row or column in the bundle that is larger or smaller than another, fuse site measurements are made and fiber position is optimized. The orientation of the fibers are noted in the Bundle Names Google document and labeled so that orientation can be controlled for the bending process, effectively choosing the final position of the fiber in the bundle.

Orientation of the Fibers

• First ensure that each part of the bending unit is clean and don a pair of powder-free gloves.

• Be sure that the chimneys and the bottom halves of the collars are attach to their appropriate plates.

• Open the intermediate storage box and remove the fibers you will be bending. Place these fibers on a flat surface, always being cautious with the fuse site.
• Use the bundling tool to place the fibers in the correct orientation and position as defined by the Bundle Names Google Document.
  • Note: Because the bundling tool is 5 fibers wide and 6 fibers high, and the collars are 6 fibers wide and 5 fibers high, the bundling tool must be rotated when placed in the collars. Therefore when the bundling tool is used, the fibers should be put in columns first with the orientation opposite of what is stated in the Google Doc.
• Put a collar around the bundle so that it is secure around the fibers but does not cause damage. The fibers should not be able to slide through, rotate, or change orientation.
  • Note: While working with one end of the bundle, always be cautious of the other end. Any bends may cause damage to the fiber.

Placement into the Bending Unit

• It's important for bending to make sure the scintillating end of the fibers are square and flush. This process usually requires 2 technicians.
  • Start by placing a flat block in front of the bundle and secure the collar onto the bending unit. Have one technician hold the flat block in place (or clamp the block to the table.)
  • Loosen the collar around the bundle enough to the fibers to slide but not change orientation.
  • Gently take each fiber and push it through the collar so that it butts up against the flat block. If you have a second technician with you, have them watch the fuse sites and you'll be able to see when all the fibers are flush.
    • Note: Be sure not to strain any of the fibers during this process.