The main reason for a poor ribbon splice is linked to fibers that are not correctly aligned with their mating pair during/after the arc splice…
The causes for this are:
1. One fiber may have a poor cleave, so it create lateral force and misalignment during the arc
• This may be impossible to catch, if the cleave is just marginal or the problem is not viewable in the splice viewing angle
2. One fiber is not held with correct horizontal alignment compared to its mating pair
• This is typically linked to problems with manual prepared ribbons (unequal fiber spacing), or due to particle/dirt stock between fibers
3. One fiber is not held with correct vertical alignment compared to its mating pair
• This is typically linked to particle/dirt on the ribbons or holders
4. Splice machine has unstable arc creating pulling force on edge fibers
• Can only be avoided by proper splice machine maintenance
5. I do not see other reasons for now, but open to suggestions?
If the uncured ribbonizing adhesive sticks to the holder, it will not affect the splice loss, UNLESS one fiber splice broke in the process (due to impact or excess force). Is this what you think is happening?
On the other hand, I do agree that uneven adhesive layer could cause misalignment of the fibers during splicing, but I do not know how we could control this, given the manual ribbon preparation methods we use…
You are also right that proper handling technique will help achieve higher yield:
1. Keep the ribbons and fiber holder FREE of any residues
2. Very gently lift the fibers from the splice machine (with or without the holder, depending on what is easier), and then QUICKLY and gently slide the splice sleeve over the fibers.
Personally, I typically like to:
1. Lift the ribbon from one holder (same side as the splice sleeve is)
2. Slide the splice sleeve inside the holder toward the splice.
3. Then lift the other holder.
4. Then slide the splice sleeve over the splice as you lift the fiber off the last holder.
5. Send it to the splice sleeve oven.
Let me know if it helped or if I failed to answer your question!
Daniel