Fiber Optic Center, Inc. (FOC) has announced a line of fiber cable and duct blowing machines in association with Fremco. The systems aim to assist both new fiber-optic network deployments as well as scenarios where fiber-optic cable must be added to existing conduit.
The new line includes:
- MiniFlow RAPID, which can install fiber cable at to 100 m/minute and over distances up to 3.5 km. The system, made with stainless steel and anodized aluminum construction for rugged conditions, monitors the pushing force applied on the cable to enable technicians to stop the drive wheels if the cable is in danger of damage.
- MultiFlow installs multiple ducts, microducts, and fiber cables using either air or water. Water-assisted cable blowing enables higher pressure, which FOC says is particularly advantageous when installing multiple micro ducts at once or larger cables.
- The PowerFlow unit can blow cables with a speed up to 80 m/minute and over distances as great as 10 km. It also can leverage either air or water.
- The MicroFlow unit features a protection technology that stops the machine if the fiber cable meets an obstacle. (The machine detects cable bends created when an obstacle is encountered.) The machine also will stop automatically if the motor exceeds the preset maximum torque level. After the protection technology has stopped the blower, the machine will automatically start up again. The MicroFlow will make three attempts to get through the obstacle; if it does not succeed, it will come to a full stop.
For more information on FTTx equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.
