Megladon Announces Improved Reliability on Apex Offset Measurements for APC HLC® SCRATCHGUARD(TM) Fiber Assembly Product Line


Incorporation of Norland Interferometric technology is latest improvement in validating Reference Grade APC fiber connectors.

Austin, Texas, July 31, 2009 - Megladon Manufacturing has made another momentous step towards improving the quality and performance of Angle Polished Connectors (APC). By utilizing the HLC termination process and Interferometric equipment from Norland Products Inc., Megladon has drastically increased their ability to make accurate and repeatable APC geometrical measurements.

Historically, interferometers have only been able to measure the apex offset of APC connectors within +/-10um of accuracy. Due to the nature of the "floating ferrule" and ferrule movement found in the SC APC connectors, it has been difficult to get good reproducibility and accurate results when taking these measurements. The fiber industry has to date not given the issue much attention, but as our dependency on APC cables increases, it is necessary to address how this issue can deteriorate performance.

"APC connectors should provide exceptional back reflection performance, but if the geometry is at the edge of the specification, high bandwidth transmission will suffer," says Daniel Hogberg, Product Group Supervisor for Megladon Mfg. "It is necessary to accurately measure APC connectors to ensure that cables are being manufactured to the appropriate specification, and then to optimize performance."

Not all interferometers have been able to "master the measurement" and establish a solid point of reference. "At Norland Products, we have spent many hours developing our CC6000 interferometric system to help us overcome this difficulty," says Neal Wagman, Sales Manager for Norland Products. "Our development has enabled us to measure the SC/APC connector quickly, accurately, and very inexpensively."

Norland Product's SC APC mount allows for exceptional control in measuring SC APC connectors, and has allowed Megladon to implement tighter controls within it's manufacturing process. The new process has enabled measurements with +/-5um of accuracy, and helps Megladon continue setting new standards in back reflection performance and building the best performing APC connectors in the marketplace with HLC technology.

Megladon Manufacturing Group, Ltd., a subsidiary of TyRex Group Ltd. ®, is recognized as a leader in the fiber optic marketplace. Founded in 1997, Megladon made it their mission to provide customers with fiber optic products that far exceed industry standards. As technology innovators, Megladon created the HLC (Hardened Lens Contact) termination, which has changed the market and taken it to the next level. For additional information on Megladon and their patented processes please visit the company's website at www.megladonmfg.com or respond by email to scratchguard@megladonmfg.com. For more information concerning Norland Products Interferometric portfolio, please contact Neal Wagman at nwagman@norlandprod.com or www.norlandproducts.com.

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