Automated glass fiber drawing
The formation of pristine silica fiber sections in an ultra high vacuum environment requires the critical control of production parameters. Glass temperature and fiber draw force must be precisely controlled to produce favorable results. Process control is achieved by automating the operation of a high power CO{sub 2} laser and the acquisition of data with a dedicated microprocessor. This combination, with the integration of ocular control through the application of digital image processing techniques, has subsequently led to a consistent and reproducible means of forming high quality pristine glass fiber test sections on the order of 25 {mu}m to 50{mu}m in diameter. Fibers formed in this manner are tested to failure (in situ) by applying loads at various rates in controlled environments. This report presents the techniques and devices used to develop this automated fabrication and testing system. 2 refs., 5 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/EH
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5524774
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-89-1674; ON: DE90000894
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
360601* -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990220 -- Computers
Computerized Models
& Computer Programs-- (1987-1989)
AUTOMATION
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERS
CONTROL
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
FABRICATION
FIBERS
GAS LASERS
IMAGE PROCESSING
L CODES
LASERS
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
MICROPROCESSORS
MINERALS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESS CONTROL
PROCESSING
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
TESTING
ULTRAHIGH VACUUM