ProCleave™ LD-EC Fiber Cleaver

ProCleave LD‑EC (Extended Clamp) from NorthLab is an automatic, high‑precision fiber cleaver specifically engineered for sensitive and complex fiber structures such as Photonic Crystal Fibers (PCF), Hollow Core (HC) fibers, and similar advanced optical fibers. These fiber types offer unique optical advantages but are notoriously fragile and difficult to process. The ProCleave LD‑EC addresses this challenge directly, combining intelligent automation with a mechanically gentle design to deliver reliable, repeatable cleave quality without compromising fiber integrity.

At the core of the ProCleave LD‑EC design is its extended glass clamp mechanism, which provides increased support along a longer section of the fiber during the cleaving process. By distributing mechanical forces more evenly, the risk of micro‑cracks, deformation, or catastrophic fiber breakage is significantly reduced. This makes the system exceptionally well suited for fibers with air holes, thin struts, or internal micro‑structures that are highly sensitive to stress.

Despite its specialization, the ProCleave LD‑EC remains highly versatile. Its unique universal clamping mechanism automatically adapts to fiber diameters ranging from 125 µm up to 550 µm, without requiring any external parts, accessories, or manual adjustments. Combined with fully automated control of all critical cleaving parameters, the ProCleave LD‑EC produces very flat end faces and consistently low cleave angles—typically below 0.5°—even when working with challenging fiber geometries.

Key features

Specifically adapted for sensitive fiber structures like PCF, HC or similar.

Universal fiber clamping mechanism

Designed for fiber cladding diameters from 125 to 550

Low cleave angles with very flat end faces, typical <0.5°

§Powered by the built-in rechargeable battery or external power supply

Applications

The ProCleave LD‑EC is ideally suited for applications involving Photonic Crystal Fibers and Hollow Core fibers, where structural sensitivity demands exceptional care during processing. It is widely used in the preparation of fibers for advanced photonics research, including nonlinear optics, sensing, and specialty fiber development.

In high‑performance fiber laser systems, PCF and HC fibers are increasingly used for power delivery, beam shaping, and mode control. The ProCleave LD‑EC enables consistent, high‑quality cleaves that support robust fusion splicing and long‑term optical stability in these demanding environments.

The system is also valuable in industrial R&D and pilot production, where multiple fiber designs and diameters may be evaluated in parallel. Its universal clamping mechanism and programmable workflows allow rapid adaptation to new fiber structures without extensive retooling, helping teams accelerate development while maintaining process reliability.

For organizations transitioning sensitive fiber designs from research into small‑scale or pre‑production manufacturing, the ProCleave LD‑EC provides the repeatability and automation needed to improve yield while protecting delicate fiber structures.

What’s next?

With the ProCleave LD‑EC, NorthLab delivers a cleaving solution that meets the growing demand for reliable processing of next‑generation specialty fibers. As photonic applications continue to evolve toward more complex and fragile fiber designs, gentle handling and repeatable cleave quality become increasingly critical.

The ProCleave LD‑EC is designed to support this evolution—offering a future‑proof platform that combines mechanical care, automation, and flexibility. Whether used in advanced research, specialized manufacturing, or process development, it provides a stable foundation for confident, high‑quality fiber preparation today and for the sensitive fiber technologies of tomorrow.