Blade Function
The Micro-Strip® stripping blades ‘score’ the protective coating surrounding the fiber cladding and, while holding the coating with the blade edge, remove the coating as the user pulls the cable through the fiber channel of the stripping tool. This ‘scoring’ action of the blade causes coating residue to adhere to the sharp blade edge. The following blade cleaning procedure should be maintained in order to optimize stripping performance & blade life.
Cleaning Procedure
Blade cleaning should be performed, with the blades still mounted in the tool, after every 10 to 20 uses. The cleaning step should take about 5 to 10 seconds. Clean between stripping blade halves with the spiral cleaning brush provided with each tool. The brush should be dipped in Isopropyl alcohol to ensure that any debris is dislodged and flushed. Dry blade area with clean air if available (Note: Blades may also be cleaned with dry brush after each strip if desired, followed by daily cleaning procedures as described above). Furthermore, a periodic (i.e., after every 100 strip operations) cleaning process should be undertaken involving the removal of the blades from the tool. With the blade-assembly tool provided with each stripper, remove both blades by first removing the color-coded tube lock/blade size-indicator with the shovel end of assembly tool; then, with the pronged end, line up & insert into holes in rear of handle head and eject stripping blades from tool.
Once removed, using cleaning brush provided and alcohol thoroughly clean both sides of each half of blade plastic as well as the steel cutting edge and stripping hole. This will dislodge any coating residue that may have built up on the stripping blade. Dry the blade area with clean air if available.
If after repeated successful strips the fiber breaks during the stripping operation, take blades out of tool and clean thoroughly. Insert blade set back into tool and resume stripping. If fiber continues to break, blades are in need of replacement.
Blade Life
With the blade and coating guide sized properly to the fiber and using the cleaning procedure described above, the blade life will be optimized but will vary depending on the jacket or coating material being stripped. A blade might typically last several hundred stripping cycles, possibly less or more depending on material and whether the blade is properly cleaned and maintained. If you need to replace or acquire a blade set or fiber guide, we have a list of them in our online catalog and you can order them online or by telephone. Note: Orders placed by telephone will be serviced faster than those placed online. Micro Electronics, Inc. has been widely used by field installers, manufacturers of connectors and components, and R & D labs since 1973. In fact, many leading systems integrators, contractor and manufacturers insist on Micro-Strip® tools. Because unlike many other strippers, Micro-Strip® tools are specifically designed for fiber optic stripping.
Stripping Procedures
Using MS-1-FS
1. Hold tool in one hand, fiber in the other. Keep handles in fully expanded position. Insert fiber through fiber guide until end aligns with rule markings to match desired strip length.
2. Squeeze handles closed. Cutter blades are now scoring the buffer or coating.
3. While maintaining a slight pressure to keep cutter closed, withdraw fiber from tool, completing the stripping process.
Using MS-2-L
1. Insert cable through fiber guide. Align end of cable with rule marking at desired strip length.
2. Close handles together so blades cut into jacket.
3. While holding handles closed, flip latch bar down around pin. Release handles to latched, semi-open position. Do not re-close handles. Move hand up to grasp head of tool. While other hand is holding cable firmly, pull with a quick, smooth motion. Flip latch off pin. Stripped jacket will fall out through rear of channel when handles are fully opened.
