FIBER ROUTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

This description refers to fiber management systems and methods for facilitating the efficient assembly of fiber optic devices by allowing pre-processed and tested optical fibers to be pre-routed onto a substrate prior to installation into their corresponding fiber optic devices.

Description

FIBER ROUTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is filed on April 23, 2021 as an International PCT Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 63 / 015,326, filed on April 24, 2020, and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 63 / 154,114, filed on February 26, 2021, the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD This description generally refers to fiber routing systems for telecommunications equipment. More specifically, this description refers to fiber routing systems that use flexible substrates such as polymer films. BACKGROUND Telecommunications systems typically employ a network of telecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Telecommunications cables may include fiber optic cables, electrical cables, and / or combinations of electrical and fiber optic cables. A typical telecommunications network also includes multiple telecommunications receptacles integrated throughout the cable network. Telecommunications cables often terminate with connectors such as fiber optic connectors. Fiber optic connectors can include single-fiber and multi-fiber connectors. Fiber optic connectors are designed to make detachable fiber optic connections between two optical fibers or between two sets of optical fibers.Fiber optic connectors are often coupled together using fiber optic adapters, but certain fiber optic connectors can be coupled directly without the use of fiber optic adapters. An illustrative type of enclosure frequently used in a telecommunications system is a multi-service terminal (MST). A multi-service terminal is often used near the outer edge of a telecommunications network to provide optical connection points for attaching subscribers to the network via drop cables. A typical multi-service terminal includes a plurality of connector ports accessible from outside the terminal. Each connector port is adapted to receive a reinforced optical fiber connector that terminates one end of a drop cable. The opposite end of the drop cable is often connected to a subscriber location to link the subscriber location to the telecommunications network. Illustrative multi-service terminals are described in U.S. Patent No.7,653,282; 7,397,997; 7,903,923; 7,489,849; and 7,512,304 and are also described in International PCT Publications No. WO2019 / 040742 and WO2019 / 195602. Flexible films have been used to support and manage optical fiber routing within telecommunications devices such as modules (for example, see U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2015 / 0260927 and International Patent Application Publication PCT Nos. WO 2019 / 070682; WO 2014 / 055859; and WO 2018 / 085767). Aspects of the present description relate to improvements in this area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One aspect of this description relates to fiber management systems and methods for facilitating the efficient assembly of fiber optic devices by allowing optical fibers to be pre-routed before installation into their corresponding fiber optic devices. Another aspect of this description relates to a method for fabricating an optical circuit design for an optical connection device that includes a plurality of optical connection locations arranged in a multidimensional configuration. The method involves using a digital map corresponding to the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations to control a robotic device that routes a plurality of optical fibers onto a substrate. In one example, the substrate includes a flexible film, but more rigid, board-like substrates could also be used. The optical fibers each have at least one preprocessed end (e.g., pre-connectorized, pre-rolled, pre-polished, pre-molded with a laser or other non-contact energy source, etc.) and are pre-tested to confirm acceptable levels of optical performance.By pre-testing the optical fibers before routing, it is possible to verify that they meet applicable optical loss requirements before securing them to the substrate. This minimizes manufacturing costs associated with defective optical connection devices that would otherwise be discarded. The optical fibers are routed into the substrate by the robotic device along routing paths defined by the digital map, with the pre-processed fiber ends positioned in a multidimensional arrangement that corresponds to the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations. The optical fibers can be routed onto the substrate before the substrate is incorporated into the optical connection device, thus simplifying the assembly of the optical connection device.The assembly of the optical connection device is further simplified by pre-positioning the pre-processed fiber ends in the multidimensional arrangement that corresponds to the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations of the optical connection device so that the pre-processed ends are mounted for installation in their corresponding optical connection locations of the optical connection device. Another aspect of this description relates to a telecommunications apparatus that includes a substrate defining a plurality of substrate openings and including a fiber entry / exit location. The telecommunications apparatus also includes a plurality of optical fibers, each routed over the substrate at the fiber entry / exit location. Optical fibers, as defined in Ln / 77n7 / E / YIAI, include a first end and an opposite second end. The first ends are secured within single-fiber ferrules. Optical fibers include fixed winding portions that extend over the substrate along routing paths between the entry / exit location and substrate openings. These fixed routing portions are adhesively secured to the substrate. The first ends of the optical fibers secured within the single-fiber ferrules are placed in the substrate openings. Optical fibers also include routable portions that are not adhesively secured to the substrate and that extend from the fiber's entry / exit location to the second ends. In one example, the substrate is a sheet (e.g., comprising one or more layers, one of which may include a polymer film) that has a flexible construction.In one example, the sheet is mounted on a tray that has a more rigid construction than the sheet. In one example, the tray has a molded plastic construction. Another telecommunications apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present description includes a substrate that defines a substrate opening. In one example, the substrate has a flexible construction and may include a sheet having one or more layers, one of which may include a polymer film. An optical fiber is routed onto the substrate. The optical fiber includes a first end and a second opposite end. The first end is secured within a ferrule of an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber includes a fixed routing portion that extends onto the substrate along a routing path extending into the substrate opening. The fixed routing portion is adhesively secured to the substrate. The first end of the optical fiber secured within the ferrule is placed into the substrate opening. In one example, a plurality of optical fibers are routed onto the substrate.In one example, the substrate defines a plurality of substrate openings. A further telecommunications apparatus according to the principles of the present description includes a telecommunications housing. The telecommunications housing includes a housing, a tray mounted in the housing, and a substrate sheet secured to the tray. The substrate sheet of the tray has a construction that is more flexible than the construction of the tray. A plurality of optical fibers are routed onto the substrate sheet. Each optical fiber includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first ends are secured within ferrules. The optical fibers include fixed routing portions that extend onto the substrate sheet along the routing paths. The fixed routing portions are adhesively secured to the substrate sheet.In certain examples, optical fibers also include routable portions that are not adhesively secured to the substrate sheet. The following description will set forth a variety of additional aspects. These aspects may relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It should be understood that both the preceding general description and the detailed description below are merely illustrative and explanatory and do not restrict the broad inventive concepts on which the examples described herein are based. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 schematically illustrates a telecommunications apparatus having optical connection locations arranged in a predefined multidimensional configuration; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a digital map that defines fiber routing paths that have fiber termination locations arranged in a multidimensional configuration that corresponds to the predefined multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations of the telecommunications apparatus in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates an example of a connectorized fiber optic pigtail that can be robotically routed along the fiber routing paths defined by the digital map in Figure 2 with the connectorized ends of the fiber optic pigtails positioned at the fiber termination locations; Figure 4 illustrates a fiber optic patch cable having opposite ends connectorized; the fiber optic patch cable can be optically tested and then cut in the middle to form two pre-tested connectorized fiber optic pigtails of the type shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates an alternative optical fiber pigtail that can be pre-processed and pre-tested before routing over a substrate; Figure 6 illustrates an additional optical fiber pigtail that can be pre-processed and pre-tested before routing over a substrate; Figure 7 illustrates a ferrule-free preprocessed optical fiber that can be preprocessed and pretested before routing over a substrate; Figure 7A is an enlarged view of one preprocessed end of the optical fiber in Figure 7; Figure 8 illustrates a system for routing preprocessed optical fibers according to the principles of the present description; Figure 9 illustrates an example of a multi-service terminal (MST) in which optical circuit designs can be incorporated in accordance with the principles of the present description; Figure 10 illustrates an illustrative hardened optical fiber adapter that can be used to define the optical connection locations of the MST in Figure 9; it also illustrates a hardened optical fiber connector configured to mate with a hardened port of the hardened optical fiber adapter; Figure 11 illustrates an illustrative fiber management arrangement that includes an optical circuit design that can be integrated into a housing such as the MST in Figure 9; Figure 12 is another view of the substrate of the fiber management arrangement of Figure 11; Figure 13 shows a plurality of the fiber management arrangements of Figure 11 supported on a carrier; Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA Figure 14 is an exploded view that includes the fiber management arrangement of Figure 11 and a tray to support the fiber management arrangement; Figure 15 illustrates the fiber management arrangement of Figure 11 secured to the tray of Figure 14; Figure 16 is another view illustrating the fiber management arrangement of Figure 11 secured to the tray of Figure 14; Figure 17 illustrates an entry cable suitable for use with a housing such as the MST of Figure 9; the entry cable includes a plurality of optical fibers that are taped together at least at one end section of the optical fibers; Figure 18 is a schematic view showing the incoming cable of Figure 17 coupled to the MST of Figure 9, and also showing the tray arrangement and fiber management of Figure 16 in the process of installation in the MST; Figure 19 is a schematic view showing the fiber management tray arrangement of Figure 16 loaded into the MST of Figure 9; Figure 20 is a schematic view showing the fiber management and tray arrangement of Figure 16 loaded into the MST of Figure 9 with the incoming cable optical fibers optically spliced ​​to the optical fibers managed by the fiber management arrangement; Figure 21 describes an illustrative fiber routing method in accordance with the principles of this description; Figure 22 illustrates an illustrative substrate preparation station (e.g., laser cutting station) for preparing flexible substrates for use in supporting optical pigtails routed thereon; Figure 23 illustrates an illustrative adhesive application station for applying beads of adhesive material to a substrate; Figure 24 illustrates an illustrative packing arrangement for packing a connectorized optical fiber; Figure 25 illustrates another illustrative packaging arrangement for packing a connectorized optical fiber; Figure 26 illustrates an illustrative fiber routing apparatus in the process of receiving a bundled optical fiber pigtail from a mounting location; Figure 27 illustrates the fiber routing apparatus of Figure 26 in the process of locating a connectorized end of the optical fiber pigtail at a predetermined location on a substrate; Figure 28 illustrates the fiber routing apparatus of Figure 26 in the process of unloading the packaging for the optical fiber pigtail at a post-routing packaging assembly location; Figure 29 illustrates a fiber routing head of the fiber routing apparatus A single row is an example of optical connection locations arranged in a multidimensional configuration. This description also covers methods for prefabricating optical circuit layouts for use in optical connection devices that have connection locations arranged in multidimensional configurations. Prefabrication means that the optical circuit layouts are established before the optical fibers are installed in the optical connection devices. In certain examples, prefabricating optical circuit layouts allows for prefabricated fiber management arrangements to mount optical fiber connectors relative to the connection location layout to facilitate the assembly process.In certain examples, optical circuit arrangements are fabricated using pre-terminated and pretested optical fiber pigtails routed onto a substrate. In certain examples, the preterminated optical fiber pigtails are robotically routed onto a substrate using a robotic device. An illustrative robotic fiber routing device is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,400,882, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In certain examples, the routing paths of the optical fiber pigtails are defined by a digital map accessed by a control system that controls the movement of the robotic device.The control system may include one or more processors (e.g., digital processors) and memory for storing digital information (e.g., a digital map and a control protocol for managing the robotic device's operation). In certain examples, the substrates include flexible sheets comprising one or more layers, which may include a polymer film or another thin, foil-like layer. Figure 1 schematically illustrates an optical connection device 320 that includes optical connection locations 322 arranged in a multidimensional configuration 323 (e.g., an arrangement having multiple rows R1–R3 of connection locations as illustrated). The connection locations 322 of each row R1–R3 are spaced along an x-axis, and the rows R1–R3 are spaced from each other along a y-axis that is perpendicular to the x-axis. Therefore, the multidimensional configuration 323 is a two-dimensional configuration. Aspects of the present description also apply to optical connection devices that have three-dimensional configurations of optical connection locations. For example, in the optical connection device 320 of Figure 1, the rows R1–R3 could also be staggered or offset from each other along a z-axis that is perpendicular to the xy-axis and the y-axis.In certain examples, the optical connection locations 322 may each include a fiber optic adapter or other structure adapted to provide a detachable optical connection between optical fibers (for example, between two individual fibers or between two sets of optical fibers). In certain examples, the optical connection device 320 may include a telecommunications apparatus such as a fiber optic patch panel (for example, a patch panel or cross-connect panel) or a telecommunications module. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA or a telecommunications casing. Figure 2 schematically illustrates a digital map 324 that defines a plurality of fiber route termination locations 325 arranged in a multidimensional configuration that corresponds to (i.e., matches, complements, relates to) the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations 322 illustrated in Figure 1. The route termination locations 325 are arranged in multiple rows R1–R3, with the route termination locations 325 in each row R1–R3 separated from each other along the x-axis, and with each of the rows R1–R3 separated from each other along the y-axis. The route termination locations 325 can be positioned to overlap or register with the optical connection locations 322. The digital map 324 can also define fiber routing paths 327 that extend along multidimensional paths and terminate at the route termination locations 325.Fiber 327 routing paths can extend from the first 329 locations to the second 330 locations (e.g., route termination locations 325). In one example, the first 329 locations of the various routing paths are located very close to each other, and the 327 routing paths are parallel to each other at the first 329 locations to allow the creation of a ribbon-wrapped optical fiber length. It will be appreciated that the data of the digital map can be stored in memory (e.g., semiconductor-based memory) in a digital format that can be accessed by an electronic device that includes one or more processors (e.g., digital processors) having a logic circuit capable of accessing data from the digital memory, responding to and processing instructions from memory, and performing operations dictated by stored data. In certain examples, the one or more processors can be used to control an electronic device such as a robotic device so that the robotic device can route optical fibers on a substrate in a multidimensional configuration according to the digital map accessed from memory. In certain examples, optical circuit layouts are fabricated using optical fibers that are pre-processed and pre-tested before being routed onto a substrate. In certain examples, the pre-processed optical fibers are robotically routed onto a substrate using a robotic device according to a design specified by a digital map, as described above. Each of the pre-processed optical fibers has at least one pre-processed end (e.g., pre-connectorized, pre-polished, pre-molded with a laser or other non-contact energy source, etc.) that is processed before the optical fiber is routed onto a substrate.In certain examples, the preprocessed optical fiber may be pre-connectorized with a complete optical fiber connector (e.g., an SC optical fiber connector, an LC optical fiber connector, or another type of optical fiber connector such as a ferruleless connector). Figure 3 shows a pre-processed and pre-tested optical fiber 341 that is part of a pre-connectorized and tested optical fiber pigtail. The optical fiber 341 has a preprocessed end 343 supported by a complete optical fiber connector 342, such as an LC or SC connector. The connector 342 includes a ferrule 344 mounted on the preprocessed end 343 of the optical fiber 341. Often, the end 343 of the optical fiber 341 is processed (for example, by polishing, laser cleaving or shaping, plasma treatment, or other treatments) after the fiber 341 has been secured in the ferrule, but before the fiber is routed onto a substrate. The ferrule 344 is mounted on a distal end of a connector body 346, which typically has a form factor adapted to mate with the port of a corresponding optical fiber adapter. The ferrule 344 is often axially movable relative to the connector body 346 and may be spring-deflected in a distal direction. with respect to the connector body 346 by means of a spring 348 inside the connector body 346. In certain examples, pre-terminated and pre-tested fiber optic pigtails 340 can initially be manufactured by fabricating a fiber optic patch cable 400 that includes a fiber optic cable 341 with connectors 342 terminated at opposite ends of the fiber optic cable 341, supporting pre-processed ends of the fiber optic cable 341. By providing the fiber optic connectors 342 at both ends of the patch cable 400, the cable as a whole and the connectors 342 can be easily tested for optical performance, such as continuity, return loss, and insertion loss, by plugging the connectors 342 into conventional test equipment and implementing performance tests. After testing and confirming the proper optical performance of the patch cable 400, the patch cable 400 can be cut in half to provide two of the pre-terminated and pre-tested fiber optic pigtails 340. It will be noted that optical fiber 341 can optionally be a bare optical fiber (i.e., a fiber that includes a core and a cladding layer surrounding the core). However, for most applications, the portion of the optical fiber intended to be routed over the substrate is preferably not bare and instead includes at least one cladding layer (i.e., an acrylate layer) that surrounds and protects the cladding and core. The portion of the optical fiber bonded within ferrule 344 is typically a bare fiber (i.e., without cladding). In the case where a complete connector that includes a ferrule is used to provide termination (e.g., connector 342), the optical fiber is ferruled to the extent that a ferrule is mounted on the end of the optical fiber. In other examples, the optical fiber can be processed in a less cost-effective manner by terminating the optical fiber with a reduced number of parts (e.g., only a ferrule, only a ferrule with a ferrule concentrator, etc.) so that the optical fiber is ferruled without a complete connector. For example, Figure 5 shows a pre-terminated and pretested optical fiber 341 that is part of a pre-terminated and pretested optical pigtail 340a. The optical pigtail 340a includes a ferrule 344 mounted on a pre-processed end 343 of the optical fiber. Therefore, the ferrule 344 provides the termination of the fiber. Vf\l77(\7iaiY\rA pre-processed end 343 of optical fiber 341. Figure 6 shows a pre-terminated and pre-tested optical fiber 341 that is part of a pre-terminated and pre-tested optical pigtail 340b. The optical pigtail 340b includes a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule 344 mounted on a pre-processed end 343 of optical fiber 341, and a ferrule concentrator 345 mounted on a proximal end of the ferrule 344. The ferrule assembly provides the connectorization of the pre-processed end 343 of optical fiber 341. The ferrule concentrator 345 can function as a spring stop and can be used to rotatably align the ferrule 344 with respect to a connector body on which the ferrule can be mounted. In examples where bare fiber connection technology is used, the fiber end can be preprocessed by polishing and optionally shaping the optical fiber end without the use of a ferrule before routing the optical fiber onto the substrate. Figure 7 shows a preprocessed and pretested optical fiber 341 having a preprocessed end 343 that is not supported by a ferrule and is suitable for use in bare fiber optical connection systems. As shown in Figure 7A, the optical fiber 341 includes a core 347 and a cladding layer 349 surrounding the core. As shown in Figure 7A, the preprocessed end 343 has been pre-shaped by means such as polishing, laser processing, and / or plasma discharge treatment.The preprocessed end 343 of the preprocessed optical fiber 341 in Figure 7 can be configured to fit within a bare fiber alignment device for optical coupling to another bare optical fiber. Optionally, a connector body can be mounted on the preprocessed optical fiber to position and protect the preprocessed bare fiber end. Illustrative bare fiber connection systems are described in International PCT Publications WO 2012 / 112344; WO 2013 / 117598; WO 2016 / 043922; WO 2017 / 081306; and WO 2018 / 144128. Figure 8 illustrates an illustrative system 350 according to the principles of the present description for the fabrication of optical circuit designs using optical fibers that are preprocessed and pretested before the optical fibers are routed onto a substrate. The system 350 includes an electronic controller 352 comprising one or more processors having logic circuits capable of accessing data from digital memory, responding to and processing instructions from memory, and performing operations dictated by stored data. The controller 352 can access information such as digital data from memory 354 and can use such information to control the operation and movement of a robotic device 356 configured to place preprocessed optical fibers 341 onto a substrate.The controller 352 accesses the digital map 324 from memory 354 and uses the digital data from the digital map 324 to control the movement of the robotic device 352 so that the robotic device 352 places the preprocessed and pretested optical fibers 341 onto the substrate along the fiber routing paths 327 defined by the digital map 324. The preprocessed ends 343 of the preprocessed optical fibers are located at the second locations 330 of the paths. The routing 327 locations defined by the digital map 324 (i.e., the routing path termination locations 325) and the opposite ends of the optical fibers 341 are located at the first locations 329 defined by the digital map 324. Therefore, the pre-processed optical fibers 341 are arranged with the pre-processed ends 343 arranged in the multidimensional layout defined by the digital map 324 (see Figure 3) which corresponds to the multidimensional layout of the connection locations 322 of the optical connection device 320 in Figure 1. Adjacent to the first locations 329, the optical fibers 341 are routed directly alongside each other in a ribbon-like parallel configuration. The substrate may include a first 360 substrate and a second 362 substrate (e.g., a carrier). The first 360 substrate may be mounted onto the second 362 substrate, and each of the 360 ​​and 362 substrates may include a flexible, sheet-like layer (e.g., foil, Mylar, film, polymer layer, etc.). The substrates 360, 362 may also include an adhesive layer supported on the foil-like layer to anchor (e.g., adhesively secure) the optical fibers 341 to the substrates 360, 362 as the optical fibers 341 are routed by the robotic device 356 along the routing paths 327 through the substrates 360, 362. The adhesive layer of the second substrate 362 may also function to secure the first substrate 360 ​​to the second substrate, but the first substrate 360 ​​is preferably removable (e.g., peelable) from the second substrate 362.As shown in Figure 8, the routing paths 327 extend across both substrates 360, 362 such that the first portions 341a of the optical fibers 341 are routed over the first substrate 360 ​​and the second portions 431b are routed over the second substrate 362. The first portions 341a include the first locations 329 and the second portions 341b include the second locations 330. After the optical fibers 341 have been routed over the substrates 360, 362, an adhesive coating can be applied over the fibers 341 along the routing paths 327. The adhesive coating can function to more securely bond the first portions 341a of the optical fibers 341 to the first substrate 360 ​​and to secure at least one section of the ribbon-like configuration of the second portions 341b together to form a fiber ribbon section. From then on, the first substrate 360 ​​can be removed from the second substrate 362 and the second portions 341b can be removed from the second substrate 362. The first portions 341a of the optical fibers 341 are secured to the first substrate 360 ​​and form fixed routing portions of the optical fibers 341. The second portions 341b are not secured to a substrate and form routable portions of the optical fibers 341.Once removed from the second substrate 362, the first substrate 360 ​​can be installed in an optical connection device with the first portions 341a provided as pre-routed sections of optical fibers and with the second portions 341b that are routable after installation in the optical connection device. For example, the second portions 341b can be routed to a splice location to splice the tapered ends of the second portions 341ba tapered fibers of an optical fiber cable. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA preprocessed 343 of the optical fibers 341 can be mounted to align and couple with the optical connection locations of the optical connection device (e.g., the connection locations 322 of the device 320). The first substrate 360 ​​defines the openings 371 corresponding to each of the rows of termination locations of the routing path 325. The first substrate 360 ​​includes the fingers 373 (e.g., tabs, projections, etc.) that project into the openings 371 at each of the termination locations of the routing path 325. The fingers 373 include free ends 375 and base ends 376. The base ends 376 are connected (e.g., unitary with) a main body 377 of the first substrate 360. The fingers 373 are configured to flex relative to the main body 377 in the z direction (e.g., along the z-axis). The first portions 341 a extend along the lengths of the fingers 373 from the ends of the base 376 towards the free ends 375. Preferably, the first portions 341 a of the fibers 341 extend further (e.g.The fingers 373 are suspended from the free ends 375 of the fingers 373 so that the preprocessed end portions 343 of the optical fibers 341 align with the openings 371. The flexibility of the fingers 373 allows the end portions 343 to move in the z direction relative to the main body 377 of the substrate 360 ​​to allow the end portions to be inserted into an optical connection location (for example, one of the optical connection locations 322) when the substrate 360 ​​is installed in an optical connection device such as the optical connection device 320. The fingers 373 also allow the routing paths 327 to be adjusted in the z dimension to accommodate the optical connection locations arranged in a three-dimensional configuration. Fiber management arrangements, including optical circuit arrangements according to the principles described herein, can be incorporated into telecommunications housings that have predefined, multidimensional arrangements of connection locations, which can be arranged in an array such as a multi-wire array. An illustrative type of telecommunications housing includes a multi-service terminal (MST). An MST is a housing commonly installed near the outer edge of a fiber optic network to provide optical connection locations for subscribers to the fiber optic network. A typical MST is a housing with a plurality of hardened fiber optic adapter ports accessible from outside the housing.Hardened fiber optic adapter ports are often arranged in an array and are designed to receive hardened fiber optic connectors that terminate the ends of drop cables. Typically, a drop cable is routed from a port on an MST to a subscriber location. For example, the drop cable might be routed from the MST to an optical network terminal (ONT) at the subscriber location so that service is provided to the ONT via an optical line coupled to the fiber optic network. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA Figure 9 illustrates an illustrative MST 120 in which an optical circuit arrangement can be used according to the principles of this description to provide fiber management and simplify assembly operations. The MST 120 includes a housing 122 that is preferably environmentally sealed. A plurality of optical fiber connection locations defined by hardened optical fiber adapters 126 (see Figure 10) are carried with the housing 122. Each of the hardened optical fiber adapters 126 includes an external hardened port 128 accessible from outside the housing 122, and an internal non-hardened port 130 accessible from inside the housing 122.In some examples, the external ports 128 may be unitarily integrated into a housing wall, but in the illustrated example, the external ports 128 are defined by separate adapter parts mounted within openings defined by the housing 122. The internal ports 130 are arranged in a multidimensional arrangement that includes a multi-row array of connector ports 130. The hardened external ports 128 may be closed by external plugs 132 when not in use. An optical fiber cable 134 is routed into the housing 122. The optical fiber cable 134 may include one or more optical fibers 135 (for example, see Figures 17-20). The optical fibers in the cable may be coupled (for example, spliced) to the optical fibers of a pre-routed optical circuit layout (for example, the optical fibers 341 pre-accommodated in the first substrate 360).The pre-processed ends (e.g., connectorized or splinted ends) of the optical fibers in the pre-routed circuit arrangement can be registered with internal ports 130 to facilitate the insertion of the pre-processed ends into internal ports 130. In other examples, cable 134 may include one or more optical fibers that couple to the input of an optical component such as a passive optical splitter or a wavelength division multiplexer that has outputs that are optically coupled to the optical fibers of the pre-accommodated optical circuit arrangement. As shown in Figure 10, each of the hardened optical fiber adapters 126 includes a ferrule alignment sleeve 140 for receiving and aligning the ferrules of two optical fiber connectors to be mated together (e.g., the ferrule of connector 415 and the ferrule of connector 150). It will be appreciated that the ferrules support the ends of the optical fibers, which are coaxially aligned when the connector ferrules are aligned within the ferrule alignment sleeve 140. An illustrative MST is described in U.S. Patent No. 7,512,304, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Figure 10 also illustrates an illustrative hardened fiber optic connector 150 adapted to mate with one of the hardened external ports 128 of the MST 128. The hardened fiber optic connector 150 is illustrated mated to a drop cable 152. The hardened fiber optic connector 150 includes a ferrule 154 to accept the end of an optical fiber from the drop cable 152. The ferrule 154 is mounted on the end of a connector body 156 adapted to be received within one of the hardened external ports 128 of the hardened fiber optic adapters 126. In certain examples, the hardened fiber optic connector 150 includes an environmental seal. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA 158 and a twist-to-lock fastener 160. In the illustrated example, the twist-to-lock fastener 160 includes threads, but alternatively it could include a bayonet connection interface or another interface that interlocks by a twist action. In other examples, a slip-lock may be used. The hardened port 128 includes internal threads 170 and a sealing surface 172. Further details of the fiber optic connector 150 are provided in U.S. Patent No. 7,744,288, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. When the hardened fiber optic connector 150 is installed in the hardened port 128 of the fiber optic adapter 126, the ferrule 154 is received inside the ferrule alignment sleeve 140, the environmental seal 158 seals against the sealing surface 172, and the external threads of the twist-to-lock fastener 160 engage with the internal threads 170 of the fiber optic adapter 126 to retain the hardened fiber optic connector 150 within the hardened port 128. In certain examples, the fiber optic adapter 126 may be secured within a housing opening by a nut 174 with a housing wall captured between the nut 174 and a flange 176. An environmental seal 178 may provide a seal between the flange 176 and the housing wall. In other examples, the hardened fiber optic connector can be locked into the hardened port using a sliding closure or a flexible closure. You will see that the MST 120 can be easily used to interconnect subscribers to a fiber optic network. Each of the hardened fiber optic adapters 126 represents a connection port for attaching a subscriber to the network. To connect a subscriber to the network, the plug 132 is removed from one of the hardened fiber optic adapters 126 to expose the hardened external port 128. A fiber optic drop cable, terminated with a hardened fiber optic connector, is then attached to the network by inserting the hardened fiber optic connector into the hardened external port 128. After the hardened fiber optic connector is installed in the hardened external port 128, one fiber of the drop cable is optically connected to a corresponding fiber of the fiber optic cable 134.For example, the hardened optical connector installed inside the hardened external port 128 connects with a corresponding non-hardened fiber optic connector (e.g., connector 415) installed inside the hardened internal port 130 of the fiber optic adapter to couple the downlink line to the network. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a telecommunications apparatus 400 having a predefined fiber routing arrangement in accordance with the principles of the present description, adapted to provide fiber management with respect to an optical connection device such as the MST 120 of Figure 9. Figure 13 shows a plurality of the apparatus 400 supported on the same carrier 401 during manufacture. The telecommunications apparatus 400 includes a substrate sheet 402 having a flexible construction. The substrate sheet 402 defines a plurality of sheet openings 404 and includes a fiber entry / exit location 406. The telecommunications apparatus 400 includes a plurality of pre-tested and pre-processed optical fibers 408. IC7? Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA each included as part of a pre-terminated optical fiber pigtail 410. Optical fibers 408 are routed over the substrate sheet 402 at the fiber entry / exit location 406. Each of the optical fibers 408 includes a first end 409 and an opposite second end 411. The first ends 409 are secured within the single-fiber ferrules 412. The optical fibers 408 include the fixed routing portions 408a that extend over the substrate sheet 402 along the routing paths that extend between the entry / exit location 406 and the sheet openings 404. The fixed routing portions 408a are adhesively secured to the substrate sheet 402. The first ends 409 of the optical fibers 408 secured within the single-fiber splints 412 are positioned in the openings of sheet 404.Optical fibers 408 also include routable portions 408b that are not adhesively secured to the substrate 402 and that extend from the fiber entry / exit location 406 to the second ends 411. In the illustrated example, the single-fiber ferrules 412 are mounted inside the fiber optic connector bodies 414 positioned in the foil openings 404. In one example, the fiber optic connector bodies 414 are SC connector bodies. Therefore, the single-fiber ferrules 414 are integrated as part of the complete fiber optic connectors 415 positioned in the foil openings. With reference to Figure 11, the substrate sheet 402 includes a plurality of fingers 416 projecting into the openings of the sheet 404. Fixed routing portions 408a of the optical fibers 408 extend along the lengths of the fingers 416, and optical fiber connectors 415 are located adjacent to the free ends of the fingers 416. The optical fibers 408 may include buffered portions extending between the free ends of the fingers 416 and the optical fiber connectors 415. The buffered portions may include sections of the optical fibers 408 that include tight polymeric buffer coatings (for example, a 900-micron coating) or that are coated or otherwise covered with semi-tight or loose buffer tubes. In other examples, the 416 fingers extend inwards or attach to the 415 fiber optic connectors. With reference again to Figure 11, the optical fibers 408 are tapered in a tapered fiber region 418 adjacent to the second ends 411 of the optical fibers 408. The optical fibers 408 are loose in a loose fiber region 420 located between the tapered fiber region 418 and the entry / exit location 406. The substrate sheet 402 includes a perimeter routing portion 422 that defines and extends around a perimeter P of the substrate sheet 402. The perimeter routing portion 422 forms a continuous loop surrounding the sheet openings 404. The perimeter routing portion 422 includes a band of substrate material that extends around the continuous loop. With reference to Figures 14-16, the substrate sheet 402 can be secured to a tray 424 (for example, a molded plastic tray) prior to installation of the appliance. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA telecommunications 400 in the MST 120 housing. The tray 424 includes a perimeter frame 426 that defines and extends around a center tray opening 428 of the tray 424. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the substrate sheet 402 is secured to the perimeter frame 426 with the sheet openings 404 coextensive with the center tray opening 428. The substrate sheet 402 can be adhesively bonded to the perimeter frame 426, or it can be mechanically bonded to the perimeter frame 426 by means of a fastener such as the retaining tabs 430. Tray 424 includes the first and second opposite sides 431, 432 (side 431 is shown in Figures 14 and 15, and side 432 is shown in Figure 16). The substrate sheet 402 is secured to the frame 426 on the first side 431 of tray 424. The frame 426 defines a channel 434 around the center frame opening 428 on the second side 432 of tray 424. The routable portions 408b of the optical fibers 408 are routed in the channel 434 and can be routed from the first side 431 to the second side 432 of tray 424 through one or more openings 436 defined by the tray 424. The tray may include bend radius protection at the openings 436 to protect the optical fibers 408 against excessive bending. Once the telecommunications apparatus 400 has been secured to the tray 424, the tray 424 can be installed in the housing 122 of the MST 120. When installed in the housing 122, the first side 431 of the tray 424 faces the internal ports 130 of the fiber optic adapters 126, and the second side 432 of the tray 424 faces away from the fiber optic adapters 126. The connectors 415 at the ends of the fingers 416 are mounted in a multidimensional configuration that corresponds to the multidimensional configuration of the internal adapter ports 130 of the fiber optic adapters 126. Therefore, each of the connectors 415 is mounted by the substrate 202 in alignment with one of the corresponding internal adapter ports 130.Once the 415 connectors are aligned with the ports of the internal adapter 130, the connectors can be efficiently installed in the ports of the internal adapter 130 by pushing the 415 connectors into the ports of the internal adapter 130. The fingers 416 are flexible and flex to allow the 415 connectors to be inserted into their corresponding internal adapter 130 ports. The second ends 411 of the optical fibers 408 are spliced ​​to the ribbon-wound optical fibers 135 of the MST inlet cable 134 at a splice location 438 (for example, a bracket for holding a splice protection sleeve containing an optical splice) held within the channel 434 of the tray 424. Housing 122 may include the first and second pieces of housing 122a, 122b, which are located at a sealed interface 123 and cooperate to define an interior of housing 122 when mated together at the sealed interface. Fiber optic adapters 126 are mounted in the first piece of housing 122a. The first side 431 of tray 424 faces the first piece of housing 122a, and the second side 432 of tray 424 faces the second piece of housing 122b when tray 424 is mounted in housing 122. Figure 21 describes an illustrative method 500 in accordance with the principles of the present IC7C Vf\l77(\7iei\\rA Description for manufacturing a telecommunications apparatus (e.g., a fiber management arrangement) having a predefined and pre-established fiber routing arrangement adapted to provide fiber management to an optical connection device. Illustrative optical connection devices may include an MST such as the MST 120 in Figure 9, another type of housing, a panel, a tray, a drawer, a module, or another type of device. It will be appreciated that the telecommunications apparatus may have a configuration similar to telecommunications apparatus 400 and may include a plurality of optical fibers having pre-processed ends (e.g., pre-connectorized ends) that are routed along predefined routing paths.In certain examples, routing paths can be established by means of a digital map that defines the fiber routing paths and fiber routing path termination locations arranged in a multidimensional configuration that corresponds to (e.g., matches, complements, relates to) the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations of a given optical connection device. In step 502 of method 500, a substrate is provided. In certain examples, the substrate may include a single flexible polymer layer that does not include an adhesive layer. For example, the substrate may include a polymer film that has a single polymer layer. In certain examples, the substrate may be preprocessed to include a desired outer shape and to include predefined openings, such as openings 371, which may correspond to routing path termination locations. In one example, a supply roll of polymer film may be fed through a cutting location, such as a laser cutting location, which cuts the film to define substrates that have predefined outer shapes and opening locations. The waste film may be collected on a waste collection reel.In certain examples, the laser cutter may include a laser scanner with a laser cutting head that can be robotically moved in two or three dimensions. The locations of the openings and the shape of the substrate can be predefined by a digital map accessed by the laser scanner to cut the predetermined external substrate shape and a predetermined pattern of openings in the film. In step 504, an initial fixative material (e.g., an adhesive such as an epoxy) can be applied to the preprocessed substrate to define a plurality of fiber routing paths. In one example, the fixative material can be applied as separate beads that are routed along the predetermined fiber routing paths. As discussed earlier, the predetermined routing paths can be defined using a digital map. Additionally, an adhesive application device such as an injection head can be robotically controlled to move in two or three dimensions so that beads corresponding to multiple different optical fiber routing paths can be applied to the substrate.In certain examples, after the application of the fixing material beads, the fixing material beads can be exposed to a curing environment (e.g., heat, radiation, ultraviolet (UV) radiation from a UV lamp, etc.) to initiate the curing of the fixing materials so that the fixing material becomes sticky or adherent. Once the fixative material has been applied to the substrate and curing has begun, the process can continue with step 506 of the method, where the optical pigtails are accessed from the assembly and routed along predefined fiber routing paths corresponding to the partially cured fixative beads. Again, a robotic head can be used to apply the pigtails along the routing paths. The routing head can be robotically controlled and can access a digital map containing data corresponding to the routing paths. In certain examples, the routing head may include a roller or rollers to press the optical fibers of the pigtails against the pre-routed fixative beads corresponding to the predefined routing paths.It will be appreciated that the assembled pigtails can be prepackaged in a way that allows robotics to easily access and efficiently route them along predetermined paths. In a preferred example, the assembled pigtails each contain a predefined length of optical fiber with one preprocessed end (e.g., a pre-connectorized end). In a preferred example, the predefined lengths of optical fiber are packaged on a configured reel, and in certain examples, the pigtail packaging may include supports for holding the optical connectors. Additionally, the optical pigtail packaging may include a structure to protect the coiled optical fibers and to maintain the optical fibers within a specific reel diameter. Once the pigtails have been routed onto the substrate, the method continues with step 508, where the fixing beads can finally cure. Optionally, a secondary fixing material can be applied over the pre-routed pigtails to provide better securing of the pigtails along the routing paths. In certain examples, the first portions of the optical pigtails may be secured to the substrate, and the second portions of the optical fibers may extend beyond an outer boundary of the substrate. It will be noted that the second portions of the optical fibers are not directly attached to the substrate. In certain examples, the method may include processing the second portions of the optical fibers to tape them (step 510). For example, the second portions of the optical fibers may be arranged in a linear arrangement relative to each other using a tapering tool. In certain examples, the tapering tool may clamp the fibers in a given arrangement in which the optical fibers are parallel to each other with a predetermined pitch between the center points of each optical fiber. Illustrative pitch distances between the optical fibers may include 200 microns and 250 microns.Once the tape tool has arranged the optical fibers in the array, a curable matrix material can be applied to the optical fibers and cured to secure them together. In certain examples, the matrix material may be conventional tape material that secures them. Optical fibers in a fixed, flat arrangement. In other examples, optical fibers may be secured together by means of a rollable tape configuration in which the relative positioning (e.g., a sequence) of the optical fibers is established, but the optical fibers are movable with respect to one another. Rollable tape configurations often provide intermittent connections between the optical fibers, use slits in the matrix material to allow the tape to be wound, or use thin layers of matrix material, sometimes on only one side of the group of aligned fibers. Examples of rollable tapes are described in U.S. Patents Nos. 10,185,105; 9,880,368; 10,488,609; 10,007,078; 9,995,896; 9,086,555; 10,416,403; 9,116,321; 10,514,517; 9,989,723, 10,101,549, whose descriptions are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In U.S. Publications No.2020 / 0271879 also describes examples of reel tapes, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other examples of loose fiber tapes include Freeform Riddon™ tape produced by Sumitomo of Japan, reel tapes produced by OFS Furukawa of Norcross, GA, SpiderWed® tape produced by AFL Telecommunications, LLC of Duncan, SC, and FlexRiddon™ from Prysmian Group of Italy. Figure 22 illustrates an illustrative station 520 for fabricating substrates suitable for use in the practice of the method in Figure 21. The station 520 includes a supply roll 522 for supplying a continuous length or weave of plastic sheet 523 (e.g., plastic sheets, plastic film, etc.). The station 520 may include a cutting region 524, such as a laser cutting region, in which the substrate can be cut from the substrate material weave and openings can be cut into the substrate. The substrate can then be removed from the system, and the remaining weave can be collected on a waste reel 525. It will be appreciated that the laser cutting can take place at multiple locations 524a, 524d along the station 520 so that different cuts can be made at different locations. Figure 23 shows an illustrative station 530 for applying the initial fixing material to a substrate. For example, as shown in Figure 23, a substrate 531 having pre-cut openings 532 and a predefined outer shape 533 is supported on a platform or table 534 that moves along an x-axis 535. The station 530 also includes a fixing material application head 536 (for example, a nozzle, a jet head, a jet print head, a spray nozzle, etc.) that is movable along a y-axis 538 and along a z-axis 537. The x, y, and z axes are all perpendicular to each other according to a Cartesian coordinate system. A fixing material curing device such as a UV lamp 539 is also provided at station 530. In certain examples, the UV lamp 539 is movable along the y-axis 538 and / or the z-axis 537.It will be appreciated that the movement of the table 534, the application head 536 and the UV lamp 539 can be coordinated by means of a controller that accesses a digital map to control the application of the beads of fixing material (e.g. UV-curable adhesive material) on the substrate 531. The linear drives and linear guides are. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA can be used to move components along the axes Figure 24 illustrates an example of a 550 optical fiber pigtail suitable for use with the method in Figure 21. The 550 pigtail includes a length of 552 optical fiber and a 553 optical fiber connector terminated at one end of the 552 optical fiber. In the illustrated example, the 554 packaging (e.g., a cartridge) is provided to keep the 552 optical fiber wound in a circular loop and to maintain the bend radius requirements of the 552 optical fiber. In certain examples, the 554 packaging may also include a bracket for securing the 553 optical fiber connector in a mounting location on the packaging. Figure 25 shows alternative packaging 556, which includes a holder 555 that secures the optical fiber connector 553 to a defined connector mounting location in the packaging 556. In certain examples, the holder 555 may secure the optical fiber connector 553 to a remnant of the packaging by friction, a press-fit connection, a mechanical interlock, a sliding interface, or other techniques. In one example, the holder 555 may include fingers 557 for gripping or otherwise securing the optical fiber connector 553 to the mounting location in the packaging 556. In certain examples, the packaging 556 may include a reel 558 having flanges 559 that define a channel 560 onto which the optical fiber 552 is wound. In one example, the optical fiber 552 is wound in a non-circular shape.In the illustrated example, the packaging 556 includes at least one non-curved side (e.g., a flat side). Additionally, the packaging arrangement may include a fastening element 561 to allow the packaging to be secured (e.g., friction-secured, clipped, locked, or otherwise retained) in a mounting location of a device for accessing and routing pigtails into substrates. In certain examples, the optical fibers 552 of the pigtails may have a standardized length. Figures 26-28 illustrate an example of a mounting apparatus 570 for mounting pre-packaged pigtails 550 and also illustrate a fiber optic pigtail routing apparatus 580 for accessing the packed pigtails 550 from the mounting area 570 to apply the pigtails to the pre-placed beads of fixing material applied to the substrate 531. In the illustrated example in Figure 26, the pigtail mounting apparatus is configured as a carousel arrangement 571 and includes a plurality of pigtail packing mounting locations 571a. It will be appreciated that the carousel arrangement 571 may have a loading station for loading unused pigtail packing into the pigtail packing assembly locations 571a of the carousel 571 and an unloading station to allow the pigtail packing to be transferred from the pigtail packing assembly locations 571a of the carousel arrangement 571 to the fiber routing apparatus 580.A post-routing mounting location 573 can be provided to receive the pigtail packing after the pigtail has been routed over substrate 531. In one example, during fiber routing, substrate 531 is supported on a platform 574 and the post-routing mounting location includes a packing receptacle. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA 575 is provided on a carrier 576 that is separate from the pallet 574. In certain examples, the pigtail packing may be mounted in a side-by-side configuration within the packing receptacle 575. In certain examples, portions of the optical fibers 552 may remain coiled or otherwise managed by the packing material when the packing material is loaded at the post-routing assembly location. Therefore, the optical fibers may extend from the substrate 531 on the pallet 574 to the post-routing assembly location 573 located outside the pallet 574. Therefore, portions of the optical fibers not routed onto the substrate and secured to it may be positioned to extend beyond an outer boundary of the substrate and may be assembled for further processing such as tapering. Figure 26 shows the pigtail routing apparatus 580 interfacing with the carousel arrangement 571 to receive the package loaded with a connectorized pigtail. Figure 27 shows the pigtail routing apparatus 580 positioning the connectorized end 553 of the optical fiber pigtail 550 on the substrate 531 before routing the optical fiber 551 along a corresponding adhesive bead that has been previously applied to the substrate 531. Figure 28 shows the pigtail package being placed in the post-routing mounting location 573 after the optical fiber 551 has been wound along and secured to the adhesive bead on the substrate 531.The post-routing mounting location 573 is shifted from substate 531 so that portions of the optical fibers not routed over the substrate extend out of or beyond an outer boundary of the substrate 531 while being held (e.g., on a reel) by the packaging. Figure 29 is a schematic view illustrating the pigtail routing head 581 of the pigtail routing apparatus 580 operating in combination with the platform 574 of the pigtail routing apparatus 580. The pigtail routing head 581 is linearly movable along the y-axis 538 relative to the platform 574, and the platform is linearly movable along the x-axis 535 relative to the pigtail routing head 581. The pigtail routing apparatus 580 may include linear bearings (e.g., linear tracks, rails) to guide the movement of the routing head 581 and the platform 574 along their respective axes, or it may include linear drives such as driven cylinders or rack and pinion drives to move the routing head 581 and the platform 574 along their respective axes.The pigtail routing head 581 can also be moved along the z-axis 537 relative to the platform 574. In one example, the pigtail routing head 581 can be moved along the z-axis 537 relative to the platform 574 and the linear guide supporting the routing head 581 by means of a linear drive such as a driven cylinder. The pigtail routing head 581 includes a main body 582 in which a pigtail packing mounting location 583 is carried. The packing mounting location 583 is adapted to receive a packed pigtail from the carousel 571. In certain examples, the location of The packaging assembly 583 is movable relative to the main body 582 along the xy / y / z axis to facilitate access to the packaging from the carousel 571 and to manage the packaging to the post-routing mounting location 573. The pigtail routing head 581 also includes feed rollers 584 and a press roller 585 carried with the main body. At least one of the feed rollers 584 may be the driven roller. A press point 586 for receiving the optical fiber 582 from the optical fiber pigtail managed by the packaging 554 is defined between the feed rollers 584. In certain examples, the feed rollers 584 are adapted to pull the optical fiber from the packaging pigtail and push the optical fiber toward the press roller 585.During fiber routing, the press roll can wind through the substrate while simultaneously pressing the optical fiber of the pigtail against an adhesive bead that has been previously applied along the desired fiber routing path. During fiber routing in substrate 531, a controller can coordinate the rotational speed of the feed rolls 584 with the relative movement between the press roll 585 and the substrate 531. In certain examples, the feed rolls 584 can feed the optical fiber to a defined pressure point between the press roll 585 and the substrate 531.The optical fiber preferably passes under the press roller 585 so that the press roller 585 can press the optical fiber onto the adhesive bead on the substrate 531 as the main body 582 is moved by one or more drives under the control of a controller such as a digital controller. In certain examples, the main body 582 of the pigtail routing head 581 is movable along the y-axis and the z-axis, and the substrate-supporting table or platform 531 is movable along the x-axis. In this way, a control system can manipulate the pigtail routing system components to route pigtails onto the substrate according to a digital map accessed by the control system. In certain examples, a connector holder 590 or a clamping gripper for holding the assembled pigtail connector can be attached to the main body 582. In certain examples, the connector holder is movable along the xy-axis, the yy-axis, and / or the z-axis relative to the main body 582 to facilitate gripping the pigtail connector from the packaging into the mounting apparatus 570 and positioning the pigtail connector at a desired location on the substrate 531.The connector can initially be grasped by the support 590 as the packaged pigtail is loaded into the packaging mounting location 583 from the mounting apparatus 570. Once the pigtail connector has been positioned or secured in the desired location in substate 351, relative movement can be generated between the routing head main body 582 and the platform to route the pigtail optical fiber along the predetermined fiber routing path in the substrate. As mentioned previously, the routing path can be defined digitally via a digital map.During routing, the 585 press roller can be wound along the routing path and can press the pigtail optical fiber against the routing path as the roller moves along the routing path, thus leaving the optical fiber behind the roller secured to the substrate by the previously deposited adhesive bead. Figures 30 and 31 show an illustrative system for mechanically aligning portions of optical fibers that are not fixed to the substrate (e.g., portions of optical fibers that extend beyond an outer substrate boundary 531) to facilitate fiber bundling. The tool includes a first part 600 that defines a plurality of grooves 602 to receive the optical fibers. The grooves 602 are configured to position the optical fibers parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch. In one example, V-grooves can be used to establish the center-to-center spacing of the optical fibers. A second part 604 can be configured to press the optical fibers into the grooves 602. In certain examples, side members 606 are provided on parts 600 and 604 to press the optical fibers together laterally.For example, movement in a first orientation 610 between parts 600, 604 can be used to press the optical fibers together laterally in alignment with the slots 602, and movement in a second orientation 612 perpendicular to the first orientation can be used to press the optical fibers into the slots 602. Once the optical fibers have been aligned and positioned in a desired sequence, a matrix material can be applied to the fibers to form a section of a standard fiber tape or a rollable fiber tape in which the optical fibers are held in the desired sequence by the matrix material. It will be noted that different types of structures can be used to press the optical fibers of the pigtails onto a substrate during fiber routing. For example, needle-type fiber guides with rounded tips and no rollers can be used. Alternatively, as described earlier, a fiber routing tool with a rotating press roller can be used. The press roller may have a non-grooved circumferential outer surface (e.g., a flat axial profile) or it may have a circumferential groove into which the fiber is received. In a further example, the routing tool may include multiple press rollers that cooperate to press a fiber onto a substrate during fiber routing.The rollers can be mounted on different axes of rotation that are angled to each other and the circumferential edges of the rollers can cooperate to define a pocket (e.g. receptacle, notch, etc.) in which the fiber is received as the fiber is pressed onto the adhesive supported by the substrate. Figures 32-41 illustrate an illustrative arrangement of multiple rollers 700 according to the principles of the present description for use in pressing optical fibers onto a substrate (e.g., a flexible substrate) to adhere the fibers to the substrate during fiber routing. The roller arrangement 700 is adapted for mounting on a manipulator such as a robotic arm or other movable component that can be moved by a control system to route a fiber onto a substrate. The roller arrangement 700 includes the first and second rollers 702, 704, which are angled (e.g., skewed, inclined) to each other and relatively positioned Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA in such a way that the rollers cooperate to define a fiber pocket 706 (see Figures 38 and 39) between the circumferential edges 708 of the rollers 702, 704. The first and second rollers 702, 704 rotate about the first and second rotation axes 712, 714 (see Figure 38) defined by the first and second pins 716, 718 supported by a frame 720 of the roller arrangement 700. In one example, the rotation axes 712, 714 are arranged at an angle in the range of 70-110 degrees, or in the range of 80-100 degrees or approximately 90 degrees. The roller arrangement 770 includes frame 720 for supporting pins 716 and 718 and for coupling the arrangement to a manipulator. The main support for frame 770 is provided by a frame block 724 in which pins 716 and 718 are supported. Block 724 includes a coupling interface 725 for coupling the arrangement 770 to a manipulator. Clips 726 and 728 are used to retain pins 716 and 718 within frame block 724. Another frame block 722 is secured to frame block 724 by fasteners 730, such as bolts. The 730a-d plates are mounted between the frame blocks 722, 724. In one example, the 730a-d plates are clamped between the frame blocks 722, 724 and the 730 fasteners extend through the openings in the 730a-d plates.Frame 720 defines a fiber passage 732 (see Figures 35 and 36) that extends through frame 720 and is configured to direct an optical fiber 734 that is routed over a substrate to pocket 706. Passage 732 is defined by plates 730a-dy and is configured to taper inward as the passage extends into pocket 706. Plates 730a and 730d include angled entry portions 736 to guide the optical fiber 734 into passage 732. Figures 42 and 43 illustrate an illustrative system 800 for splicing optical fibers 802 from connectorized pigtails 804 having connectorized ends 806. The optical fibers 802 may include pre-routed portions 802a that have been routed and secured to a substate 808 in a manner described above, and portions 802b that extend out of the substrate and are not routed over the substrate 808. The system includes a reel retention region 810 for receiving the fiber reels 812 after the fiber portions 802a have been routed into the substate 808. The 802b portions of the fibers 802 may be wound around the fiber reels 812. The reel retention region 810 includes the reel holders 814 that define the pockets for receiving the fiber reels 812.The reel holders 814 are arranged in an angled fan-shaped configuration such that when the fiber holders 812 are held within the holders 814, the fiber holders 812 are spread out relative to each other (e.g., arranged in an arc and separated by fan angles A). The fiber reels 812 can rotate within their corresponding holders 814 to allow the fiber portions 802b to be released from the reels 812. Due to the fan-shaped configuration, the reels 812 can each rotate about a separate axis of rotation as the fiber portions 802b are released from the reels 812. The reel retention region 810 includes a fan-shaped comb 816 through which the fiber portions 802b are routed. The fan comb 816 includes the slots 817 for unfolding (e.g., separating) the fiber portions 802b and for guiding (e.g., directing, in). Ln / 77n7 / E / YIAI angle) the 802b fiber portions from a substrate fiber entry / exit location 808 to their respective 814 fiber carriers. Although reference has been made to connectorized pigtails for this example, it will be appreciated that any pre-processed or even non-pre-processed optical fiber can also be routed and tapered using the 800 system. The 800 system includes a plate 820 (e.g., a vacuum plate) to support the substrate 808 during the routing of the connectorized pigtails 804. The plate 820 is movable relative to the reel retention region 810 along an axis 822 and is movable beyond a tape station 830. The tape station 830 includes a fiber alignment accessory 832 (see Figures 44-47) that includes a fiber alignment member 833 defining an open-ended fiber alignment slot 834 into which the fiber portions 802b can be received. The accessory 832 also includes a pusher 836 for pushing the fiber portions 802b into a flat, side-by-side arrangement within the slot 834.The 830 tape station also includes a matrix applicator 838 (e.g., an injector) for applying a matrix material (e.g., a curable material such as acrylate or another curable material that may include an adhesive) to the fiber portions 802b aligned by the alignment accessory 832 for tapering the fiber portions 802b. The 830 tape station also includes a curing component 840 for applying energy (e.g., radiant energy such as ultraviolet light) to the matrix material on the fiber portions 802b to cure the matrix material. Once the fiber portions 802a have been routed over the substrate 808 and the reels 812 have been loaded into the reel retention region 810, the plate 820 is moved along the axis 822 away from the reel retention region 810 and beyond the tape station 830 (see Figure 43). As plate 820 moves away from the reel retention region 810, reels 812 rotate within their supports 814 to allow fiber portions 802b to be released from reels 814. Once plate 820 moves past tape station 830, fiber alignment member 833 moves in a first lateral direction relative to fiber portions 802b so that fiber portions 802b are received into slot 834 through the open end, and pusher 836 moves in a second lateral direction to push and align the fiber portions into slot 834.The continuous movement of plate 820 pulls the aligned fiber portions 802b past the matrix applicator 838 where the matrix material is applied to the fiber portions 802b and past the curing component 840 where the material is cured to bond the fibers together in the tape configuration. Figure 48 illustrates another flexible substrate 900 and a connectorized optical fiber pigtail routing configuration according to the principles described herein. The configuration includes a plurality of connectorized pigtails 901, each comprising an optical fiber 902 having one end terminated by an optical fiber connector 904 (e.g., an SC or LC connector). The optical fiber connectors 904 include ferrules 906 into which end portions of the optical fibers 902 are placed, and dust caps 908 are detachably mounted over the ferrules. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA ferrules 906. Optical fibers 902 include pre-routed portions 902a attached to the sub-substrate 900 along the fiber routing paths. The substrate 900 includes a plurality of openings 910. The fiber routing paths are routed along a main path 912 that extends along a length of the substrate between sets of the openings 910. The routed fiber portions 902a are routed along the main path 912 to an entry / exit location 914 defined by a flexible extension or tail located at one end of the substrate 900 where the optical fibers extend out of the substrate 900. The fiber portions 902a branch individually from the main path 912 to separate some of the openings 910. In certain examples, the connectors 904 are secured in openings 910.In certain examples, the 904 fiber optic connectors are secured to the 900 substrate at locations where the connectors extend at least partially beyond their respective 910 openings. In certain examples, the connectors are secured to the 900 substrate such that a first portion 904a of each connector aligns with its respective 901 opening, and a second portion 904b of each connector extends beyond its respective 910 opening. By extending the 902 fibers beyond the 910 openings, the length of fiber not attached to the 900 substrate is provided and made available to facilitate the insertion of the 904 connectors into the corresponding adapter ports when the substrate is installed in a housing such as an MST and the connectors are disconnected from the 900 substrate and inserted into the corresponding adapter ports of the housing. In one example, the 904 connectors can be secured to the substrate by attaching (e.g., bonding) the 908 dust caps to the 900 substrate. Once the 900 substrate is installed within a housing, the 906 ferrules can be removed from their respective 908 dust caps to disconnect the 904 connectors from the 900 substrate, and the 904 connectors can be inserted through the 910 openings into their respective adapter ports. The 908 dust caps can remain attached to the 900 substrate. The dust caps may include structures such as enlarged 908a end flanges that are adapted to make contact with the substrate when the 904 connectors are placed on the 900 substrate, providing mating locations for attaching the 908 dust caps to the 900 substrate. Illustrative aspects of the description Aspect 1. A telecommunications apparatus comprising: a substrate sheet having a flexible construction, the substrate sheet defining a plurality of sheet openings, the substrate sheet including a fiber entry / exit location; and a plurality of optical fibers each routed over the substrate sheet at the fiber entry / exit location, each of the optical fibers including a first end and an opposite second end, the first ends being secured with single-fiber ferrules, the optical fibers including fixed routing portions extending over the substrate sheet along routing paths extending between the entry / exit location and the Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA foil openings, the fixed routing portions that are adhesively secured to the substrate foil, the first ends of the optical fibers are secured within single-fiber ferrules that are placed in the foil openings, the optical fibers also include routable portions that are not adhesively secured to the substrate and that extend from the fiber entry / exit location to the second ends. Aspect 2. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 1, wherein single-fiber ferrules are mounted inside fiber optic connector bodies positioned in foil openings. Aspect 3. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 2, wherein the fiber optic connector bodies are SC connector bodies. Aspect 4. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 2, wherein the single-fiber ferrules are integrated as part of the fiber optic connectors positioned in the foil openings. Aspect 5. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 4, wherein the substrate sheet includes a plurality of fingers projecting inwards from openings in the sheet, wherein fixed routing portions of optical fibers extend along the lengths of the fingers, and wherein optical fiber connectors are located at adjacent ends of the fingers. Aspect 6. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 5, wherein the optical fibers include buffered portions that extend between the finger tips and the optical fiber connectors. Aspect 7. The aspect 5 telecommunications apparatus, where the fingers extend inwards or attach to the fiber optic connectors. Aspect 8. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 1, wherein the optical fibers are tapered in a tapered fiber region adjacent to the second ends of the optical fibers, and wherein the optical fibers are loose in a loose fiber region located between the tapered fiber region and the entry / exit location. Aspect 9. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 1, wherein the substrate sheet includes a perimeter routing portion that defines and extends around a perimeter of the substrate sheet. Aspect 10. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 9, wherein the perimeter routing portion forms a continuous loop around the foil openings. Aspect 11. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 10, wherein the perimeter routing portion includes a band of material that extends around the continuous loop. Aspect 12. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 1, wherein the substrate sheet is secured to a tray. Aspect 13. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 12, wherein the tray includes Vf\l77(\7iaiY\rA a perimeter frame that defines and extends around a central tray opening, and wherein the substrate sheet is secured to the perimeter frame with the sheet openings coextensive with the central tray opening. Aspect 14. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 13, wherein the tray includes opposite first and second sides, wherein the substrate sheet is secured to the frame on the first side of the tray, wherein the frame defines a channel around the central frame opening on the second side of the tray, and wherein the routable portions of the optical fibers are routed into the channel. Aspect 15. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 14, wherein the tray is mounted in a housing. Aspect 16. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 15, wherein the housing includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters including hardened outer ports accessible from outside the housing and inner ports accessible from inside the housing, wherein single-fiber ferrules are integrated as part of the fiber optic connectors positioned in the foil openings, and wherein the fiber optic connectors are inserted into the inner ports. Aspect 17. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 16, wherein the first side of the tray is oriented towards the optical fiber adapters and the second side of the tray is oriented away from the optical fiber adapters, and wherein the second ends of the optical fibers are spliced ​​to the optical fibers of a housing feeder cable at a splice location contained within the tray channel. Aspect 18. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 17, wherein the housing includes the first and second housing pieces that join at a sealed interface and cooperate to define a housing interior when coupled together at the sealed interface, wherein the fiber optic adapters are mounted on the first housing piece, and wherein the first side of the tray faces the first housing piece and the second side of the tray faces the second housing piece. Aspect 19. A telecommunications apparatus comprising: a substrate defining a substrate opening; and an optical fiber routed over the substrate, the optical fiber including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end being secured within a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, the optical fiber including a fixed routing portion extending over the substrate along a routing path extending into the substrate opening, the fixed routing portion being adhesively secured to the substrate, the first end of the optical fiber secured within the ferrule being placed in the substrate opening. Aspect 20. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 19, wherein the optical fiber also includes a routable portion that is not adhesively secured to the substrate, wherein the routable portion extends to the second end. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA Aspect 21. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 19 or 20, wherein the substrate includes a flexible sheet that defines the substrate opening. Aspect 22. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 21, wherein the flexible sheet includes a polymeric film. Aspect 23. The telecommunications apparatus of any of aspects 19-22, wherein a plurality of optical fibers are routed over the substrate. Aspect 24. The telecommunications apparatus of aspect 23, wherein the substrate defines a plurality of substrate openings. Aspect 25. A telecommunications facility comprising: a casing; a tray that is mounted in the housing; and a substrate sheet having a construction that is more flexible than a construction of the tray, the substrate sheet being secured to the tray; and a plurality of optical fibers routed over the substrate sheet, the optical fibers each including a first end and an opposite second end, the first ends being secured within ferrules, the optical fibers including fixed routing portions extending over the substrate sheet along the routing paths, the fixed routing portions being adhesively secured to the substrate sheet. Aspect 26. The housing of aspect 25, wherein the substrate sheet defines the sheet openings, wherein the first ends of the optical fibers are secured within ferrules that are positioned in the sheet openings, and the optical fibers also include routable portions that are not adhesively secured to the substrate. Aspect 27. The housing of aspect 26, wherein the housing includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters mounted on a wall of the housing, the fiber optic adapters each including a first port accessible from outside the housing and a second port accessible from inside the housing, and wherein ferrules are integrated within the fiber optic connectors inserted within the second ports. Aspect 28. The housing of aspect 27, wherein the routable portions extend to the second ends of the optical fibers and are managed in the tray, and wherein the second ends of the optical fibers are spliced ​​to the optical fibers of an incoming cable attached to the housing. Aspect 29. A method for manufacturing an optical circuit design for an optical connection device comprising a plurality of optical connection locations arranged in a multidimensional configuration, the method comprising: using a digital map corresponding to the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations to control a robotic device that routes a plurality of optical fibers in a substrate, wherein the optical fibers are pre-tested optical fibers, Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA each with at least one preprocessed end, wherein the optical fibers are routed by the robotic device along the routing paths defined by the digital map, and wherein the optical fibers are routed over the substrate with the preprocessed ends of the optical fibers positioned in a multidimensional arrangement that corresponds to the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations. Aspect 30. A method for fabricating an optical circuit design, the method comprising: routing a bead of adhesive material along a fiber routing path in a substrate; and routing an optical fiber along the bead of adhesive material to secure the optical fiber to the substrate along the fiber routing path. Aspect 31. The method of aspect 30, wherein the optical fiber is pressed against the bead of adhesive material by means of a press roller as the optical fiber is routed along the bead of material. Aspect 32. The method of aspect 31, wherein the feed rollers, which include at least one driven roller, feed the optical fiber to the press roller as the optical fiber is routed along the bead of material. Aspect 33. The method of aspect 32, wherein the feed rollers pull the optical fiber from the packaging and push the optical fiber toward the press roller as the optical fiber is routed along the bead of material. Aspect 34. The method of aspect 33, wherein the packaging retains the optical fiber in a coiled configuration. Aspect 35. The method of aspect 34, wherein the optical fiber has a connectorized end at the time the optical fiber is routed over the substrate, wherein the feed rollers and the crimping rollers are carried by a fiber routing head, and wherein a connector clamp for gripping the connectorized end and for positioning the connectorized end over the substrate is carried with the fiber routing head. Aspect 36. The method of aspect 35, wherein the packaging includes a connector holder, and wherein the connector pliers are adapted to remove the connector end from the connector holder. Aspect 37. The method of aspect 30, wherein a plurality of beads of adhesive material are routed onto the substrate, wherein a plurality of optical fibers are routed onto the beads of adhesive material, wherein portions of the optical fibers extend beyond an outer boundary of the substrate after fiber routing, and wherein portions of the optical fibers are tapered after fiber routing. Aspect 38. A roller arrangement comprising: a frame; the first and second rollers supported by the frame for rotation around Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA of the rotation axes that are at an angle to each other, the first and second rollers that are inclined to each other so that the first and second rollers cooperate to define a fiber receiving pocket between the outer circumferences of the first and second rollers. Aspect 39. The roller arrangement of Aspect 38, wherein the frame defines a fiber passage through the frame to direct an optical fiber to the fiber pocket. Aspect 40 The roller arrangement of any of Aspects 38 or 39, wherein the fiber passage tapers and narrows as the fiber passage extends into the fiber pocket. Aspect 41. The roller arrangement of any of Aspects 38-40, wherein the rollers are held on pins secured to the frame. Aspect 42. The roller arrangement of Aspect 41, wherein the rollers are secured to the frame by clips. Aspect 43. The roller arrangement of Aspect 41, wherein the fiber passage is defined by plates fixed between frame blocks. Aspect 44. A method for tapering second portions of optical fibers extending outward from a substrate in which the first portions of the optical fibers have been previously routed, the second portions being wound around reels, the method comprising: loading the reels into reel holders at a reel retention location; and tapering the second portions by moving the substrate away from the reel retention location so that the second portions are pulled through a fiber tape station, wherein the reels rotate within the reel holders to allow the second portions to be released from the reels as the substrate is moved away from the reel retention location. Aspect 45. The method of Aspect 44, wherein the reels are deployed against each other at the reel retention location. Aspect 46. The method of claim 45, wherein a comb assists in unfolding the fiber portions as the fiber portions extend from the substrate to the reel supports. Aspect 47. The method of Aspect 46, wherein the substrate is supported and moved by a vacuum plate. Aspect 48. The method of any of Aspects 44-47, wherein the second portions are aligned in a row at the tape station, wherein the matrix material is applied to the second portions at the tape station, and wherein the matrix material is cured at the tape station. Aspect 49. A telecommunications apparatus comprising: a substrate sheet having a flexible construction, the substrate sheet that Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA defines a plurality of sheet openings, the substrate sheet including a fiber entry / exit location;and a plurality of optical fibers each routed over the substrate sheet at the fiber entry / exit location, each of the optical fibers including a first end and an opposite second end, the first ends being secured with single-fiber ferrules, the optical fibers including fixed routing portions extending over the substrate sheet along routing paths extending between the entry / exit location and the sheet openings, the fixed routing portions being adhesively secured to the substrate sheet, the first ends of the optical fibers being secured within single-fiber ferrules that are placed at or near the sheet openings, the optical fibers also including routable portions that are not adhesively secured to the substrate and extending from the fiber entry / exit location to the second ends. Aspect 50. The telecommunications apparatus of Aspect 49, wherein the substrate includes a tail projecting from a main body if the substrate, and wherein the fiber entry / exit location is in the tail. Aspect 51. The telecommunications apparatus of Aspect 49 or 50, wherein the ferrules are covered by dust caps, and wherein the dust caps are attached to the substrate as part of the routing process. Aspect 52. The telecommunications apparatus of any of Aspects 49-51, wherein the first ends of the optical fibers extend beyond their corresponding openings. Aspect 53. The telecommunications apparatus of any of Aspects 49-51, wherein the connecting bodies are installed at the first ends of the optical fibers adjacent to the ferrules, and wherein the connecting bodies include the first portions that coincide with the openings and the second portions that extend beyond the openings. Aspect 54. The telecommunications apparatus of Aspect 53, wherein the ferrules are covered by dust caps, wherein the dust caps are attached to the substrate, and wherein the ferrules and their corresponding connecting bodies can be disconnected from the substrate by pulling the ferrules from their corresponding dust caps. While several routing devices have been described herein specifically with regard to routing optical fiber pigtails on a substrate, it will be appreciated that such equipment can also be used more generically to route optical fibers that may or may not be connectorized on a substrate. Therefore, certain methods and processes described herein are applicable to routing optical fibers on a substrate, where the optical fibers may or may not be connectorized at the time of routing. Vf\l77(\7iaiWrA NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered a novelty and, therefore, the contents of the following are claimed as property.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating an optical circuit design for an optical connection device comprising a plurality of optical connection locations arranged in a multidimensional configuration, the method comprising: using a digital map corresponding to the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations to control a robotic device that routes a plurality of optical fibers into a substrate, wherein the optical fibers are pre-tested optical fibers, each with at least one pre-processed end, wherein the optical fibers are routed by the robotic device along routing paths defined by the digital map, and wherein the optical fibers are routed onto the substrate with the pre-processed ends of the optical fibers positioned in a multidimensional arrangement corresponding to the multidimensional configuration of the optical connection locations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical fibers are secured along the fiber paths by: routing the adhesive beads along the fiber routing paths in the substrate; and routing the optical fibers along the adhesive beads to secure the optical fibers to the substrate along the fiber routing paths.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the optical fibers are pressed against the beads of adhesive material by means of a press roller as the optical fibers are routed along the beads of adhesive material.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one driven roller feeds the optical fibers towards the press roller as the optical fibers are routed along the beads of material.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the driven rollers pull the optical fibers from the packaging and push the optical fibers towards the press roller as the optical fibers are routed along the beads of material.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the packaging retains the optical fibers in coiled configurations.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the optical fibers have connectorized ends at the time the optical fibers are routed onto the substrate, wherein the driven roller and the press roller are carried by a fiber routing head, and wherein a connector clamp for gripping the connectorized ends and for positioning the connectorized ends onto the substrate are carried with the fiber routing head.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein each package includes an IC7 connector holder, and wherein the connector pliers are adapted to remove the connectorized ends from the connector holders.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the optical fiber portions extend beyond an outer boundary of the substrate after fiber routing, and wherein the optical fiber portions are tapered after fiber routing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the optical fiber portions are placed on reels during and after fiber routing, and wherein after each fiber is routed its corresponding reel is loaded into a reel holder from a reel retention location.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the optical fibers are tapered by moving the substrate away from the reel retention location so that the fiber portions are pulled through a fiber tape station, wherein the reels rotate within reel supports to allow the fiber portions to be released from the reels as the substrate moves away from the reel retention location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the reels are deployed relative to each other at the reel retention location.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a comb assists in unfolding the fiber portions as the fiber portions extend from the substrate to the reel supports.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the substrate is supported and moved by a vacuum plate.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein the press roller has a flat axial profile.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the fibers are pressed against the beads of adhesive material by means of a roller arrangement including the first and second rollers being angled to each other and cooperating to define a press pocket in which the fibers are received as the fibers are pressed into the substrate by means of the roller arrangement.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical fibers have connectorized ends, wherein the substrate defines openings, and wherein the connectorized ends are secured in the openings.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical fibers have connectorized ends that include ferrules covered by dust caps, and wherein the dust caps are bonded to the substrate as part of the routing process.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical fibers have connectorized ends, wherein the substrate defines openings, wherein the optical fibers are routed to separate the openings, and wherein the connectorized ends extend at least partially beyond their corresponding openings.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the connected ends include first portions that coincide with the openings and second portions that extend beyond the openings.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the connectorized ends include ferrules covered by dust caps, wherein the dust caps are attached to the substrate, and wherein the connectorized ends can be disconnected from the substrate by pulling the ferrules off their corresponding dust caps.

Images