ProCleave™ LD Large Diameter Fiber Cleaver

The ProCleave LD from NorthLab is an automatic, high‑performance fiber cleaver developed specifically for large‑diameter optical fibers, supporting cladding sizes up to 550 µm. Designed with production efficiency in mind, the ProCleave LD combines ease of use, fast operation, and consistently high cleave quality to maximize yield in demanding manufacturing environments. At the same time, its precision and flexibility make it equally well suited for advanced R&D settings where repeatability and process control are essential.

Large‑diameter fibers are increasingly used in high‑power laser systems, pump delivery, and specialty photonics, but they introduce significant challenges in cleaving accuracy and consistency. The ProCleave LD directly addresses these challenges through a fully automated cleave process in which all critical parameters are carefully monitored and controlled. This results in exceptionally flat end faces and very low cleave angles, typically below 0.5°, delivered with high repeatability across production runs.

A key strength of the ProCleave LD is its unique and universal approach to fiber handling. Its intelligent clamping mechanism automatically adapts to the applied fiber diameter without requiring any additional accessories or manual adjustments. This simplifies workflows, reduces setup time, and minimizes operator dependency—critical factors in high‑throughput production lines. With programmable cleave recipes, intuitive touchscreen control, and flexible power options, the ProCleave LD is a robust and future‑ready solution for large‑diameter fiber processing.

Key features

• Automated cleave process for optimal cleave quality and repeatability
• §Universal fiber clamping mechanism
• Designed for fiber cladding diameters from 125 to 550
• Low cleave angles with very flat end faces, typical <0.5°
• Can be powered with battery or external power supply
• Available platforms that support Fujikura, Fitel, 3SAE, or use without fiber holders

Applications

The ProCleave LD is ideally suited for production environments where large‑diameter fiber processing must be performed quickly, reliably, and with minimal operator intervention. Typical applications include the manufacturing of high‑power fiber laser components, where clean, low‑angle cleaves are essential to ensure robust splicing and long‑term optical stability.

It is also widely used in the fabrication of pump delivery fibers, fiber bundles, and specialty photonic components, where large cladding diameters are required to handle high optical power or complex beam profiles. In these applications, the ProCleave LD supports consistent quality across high production volumes, directly contributing to improved yield and reduced rework.

In research and development environments, the ProCleave LD provides the process control and flexibility needed to evaluate new fiber designs, materials, and diameters. Its universal clamping mechanism and programmable cleave settings make it easy to adapt to experimental setups without extensive tooling changes, accelerating development cycles and simplifying experimental workflows.

What’s next?

With the ProCleave LD, NorthLab delivers a cleaving platform that is optimized for today’s large‑diameter fiber applications while remaining adaptable to future requirements. Its combination of automation, precision, and universal fiber handling enables users to scale smoothly from R&D to full production without changing core equipment.

As fiber‑based systems continue to evolve toward higher power levels and more complex architectures, the need for reliable and repeatable large‑diameter fiber cleaving will only increase. The ProCleave LD is designed to meet that demand—providing a stable, efficient foundation for advanced fiber processing today and long into the future.