Glass Base Material Elongation Diameter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the elongation of glass base materials for optical fibers, initial outer diameter fluctuations lead to decreased product quality and yield due to inconsistent diameter adjustments across the longitudinal direction.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a glass lathe with a heat source and chucks to heat and elongate the glass base material, starting from a position where the outer diameter is between 95% to 98% of the average trunk portion diameter, ensuring stable elongation and reduced diameter fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If elongation is performed without specific heating position control, then the elongation process can be completed, but outer diameter fluctuation occurs during the initial portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the glass base material at a specific position (tapered portion with outer diameter 95-98% of average trunk portion diameter) before initiating the elongation process. This preliminary heating creates a softened region that facilitates controlled elongation and prevents outer diameter fluctuation during the initial portion of elongation, thereby improving both manufacturing precision and yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the glass base material by controlling the heating position and temperature. By heating the tapered portion to a specific temperature range and maintaining it in a softened state during elongation, the material's viscosity is optimized for controlled deformation, preventing diameter fluctuation and improving manufacturing precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If heating is applied to the glass base material, then the material softens and can be elongated, but outer diameter fluctuation may occur if heating position is not controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the heating action on a specific local region (the tapered portion with outer diameter 95-98% of average trunk portion diameter) rather than heating the entire glass base material uniformly. This localized heating creates a softened region with optimized viscosity for elongation while maintaining dimensional stability in other regions, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
3Productivity
If the elongation start position is not optimized, then the elongation process can begin, but quality of the obtained optical fiber decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the heating source at the optimized start position (tapered portion with outer diameter 95-98% of average trunk portion diameter) before initiating elongation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the elongation process begins at the correct location, preventing outer diameter fluctuation and maintaining high product quality while preserving production efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach stabilizes the outer diameter fluctuation during the initial elongation period, improving the quality and yield of the glass base material by maintaining consistent diameter reduction throughout the elongation process.
Implementation Method 1
heating of heating, with a heat source, a heated region that is a portion in the longitudinal direction of the glass base material held by the pair of chucks
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the glass base material being in a softened state due to the heating by the heat source
Data Source
AI summary
To manufacture glass base material with high manufacturing yield, provided is a glass base material elongating method comprising forming a tapered portion where the outer diameter of the glass base material changes continuously, holding the glass base material with chucks, heating the glass base material held by chucks with a heat source, and with a portion of the glass base material softened, increasing the distance between the chucks to elongate the glass base material. The elongation begins from a state in which a position of the heat source at a position at which the outer diameter of the glass base material is set in a range from no less than 95% to no more than 98% of an average outer diameter of the trunk portion of the glass base material.