Test equipment vendors team up for free inspection at OFC

MARCH 8, 2007 -- Timbercon Inc. (search for Timbercon) has announced it is teaming with EXFO (search for EXFO), Westover Scientific (search for Westover Scientific), and Data-Pixel (search for Data-Pixel) to offer a fiber-optic cable testing and inspection event at the OFC/NFOEC show in Anaheim, CA, March 27–29, 2007. This service will provide show attendees the opportunity to get a standard fiber-optic cable cleaned, tested, inspected, and analyzed with accompanying hard-copy inspection report of the cable, all free of charge.

The event is designed to enable attendees to gain a better understanding of fiber cable testing, the differences in performance associated with various performance criteria, connectorization, polish, and the importance of cleaning.

For each cable provided, Timbercon will properly clean the cable assembly, then perform an endface inspection with a Westover inspection scope to check for scratches, pits, and contamination. Timbercon will then conduct an interferometry analysis using a Data-Pixel Interferometer provided by Connected Fibers LLC, for radius, apex offset, fiber height, angle, key error, and fiber roughness inspection. Finally, an EXFO test set will be used to capture insertion- and return-loss measurements. Upon completion, Timbercon will provide a summary of the results.

"Our goal with this event is to provide fiber-optical cable assembly users an opportunity to look at one of their own cables and better understand the various attributes associated with its performance, and how those attributes can be optimized with quality cable preparation and manufacturing," explains John Lee, vice president, sales and marketing, Timbercon. "Partnering with Westover, EXFO, and Connected Fibers for this event has enabled us to demonstrate cutting-edge equipment, procedures, and processes associated with cable testing, measurement, and verification."

The free test and inspection event is open to all attendees of the OFC/NFOEC 2007 show. To participate, simply bring a standard fiber-optic cable assembly to the Timbercon booth (#3207) during exhibit hours and ask a representative, "How good is my cable?" Each event participant will receive an Armadillo loopback (singlemode or multimode) and be entered to win an Apple iPod. Those unable to attend the show may take advantage of this opportunity through the month of April. For questions, additional information, or to set up a booth appointment, contact Holly Woolard at (503) 827-8141 or [email protected].

Visit Timbercon
Visit EXFO
Visit Westover Scientific
Visit Data-Pixel
Visit Connected Fibers