LDC401 & LDC401A Automated Cleavers Chapter 7: Cleaving
Page 16 TTN100064-D02
7.7. Unloading the Fiber
To unload the fiber after cleaving:
1. If the thumbscrews were secured, turn them counter-clockwise until they disengage from the FHB base.
2. Hold the fiber securely and press down on the left-hand lifting lever to release the clamping force. The fiber
will be free to move after the lifting lever is lowered, so it is important to keep the fiber secured (the V-
groove extension is ideal for this).
3. Raise the left-hand FHB lid and carefully remove the cleaved fiber. Immediately the left FHB lid is opened,
the internal vacuum pump will turn on for approximately 15 seconds to assist in holding the fiber during the
unloading process.
4. Press down on the right-hand lifting lever to release the clamping force.
5. Raise the right-hand FHB lid and remove the cleave discard. Make sure to dispose of the cleave discard
properly as these shards can be very sharp.
6. Check that no debris is left behind in the FHB V-grooves or on the lid clamping surfaces.
After the vacuum turns off, the Tablet Controller displays a message with instructions to “Close FHB or Press Start
Button to Initiate Home Process.” Either action will trigger the homing routine, which re-sets the position of the left-
hand FHB, the right-hand FHB if an angle cleave was performed, and the Cleave Blade.
The Reset may be initiated as soon as the cleaved fiber is removed using the Start Button – it is not necessary to
wait for the vacuum pump to time out.
If the Reset process is interrupted or fails, all system functionality is disabled to prevent possible damage to the
equipment. Remove any fibers and/or discards from the FHBs and cycle the power OFF then ON. The cleaver will
initialize and attempt to run the homing process again. If any further difficulty is experienced, contact
techsupport@thorlabs.com for assistance.
Figure 16 Removing a Cleaved Fiber from the Left Fiber Holding Block