ProCleave™ TF Fiber Cleaver for thin Fibers

The ProCleave TF from NorthLab is an advanced electronic fiber cleaver developed specifically for thin and reduced‑cladding optical fibers with cladding diameters below 80 µm. As photonic systems continue to evolve toward smaller, lighter, and higher‑density designs, these ultra‑thin fibers are becoming essential building blocks in next‑generation technologies. The ProCleave TF is engineered to meet the unique mechanical and process challenges associated with cleaving such delicate fibers—delivering precision, repeatability, and ease of use in both production and research environments.

Thin fibers introduce a narrow process window: excessive tension or blade intrusion can easily deform or damage the fiber, while insufficient control leads to poor cleave quality and unreliable splicing. The ProCleave TF addresses these challenges through a precisely controlled electronic cleave process based on advanced ultrasonic diamond scribe technology. By enabling accurate cleaving at very low fiber tension, the system consistently produces very flat end faces with low cleave angles, ensuring clean, high‑quality fiber preparation for demanding applications.

Designed for compatibility with fiber holders from all major fusion splicer brands, the ProCleave TF integrates seamlessly into existing fiber processing workflows. Its compact design, flexible power options, and operator‑friendly handling make it equally suitable for high‑yield production lines and precision‑focused R&D laboratories.

Key features

• Designed for fiber cladding diameters from 30 to 80 µm
• Electronic cleave process for optimal cleave quality and repeatability
• Low cleave angles with very flat end faces, typical < 1°
• Can be powered with battery or external power supply
• Delivered with platform that support Fujikura, Fitel and 3SAE fiber holders
• Note: fiber holders are not included in the delivery kit.

Applications

The ProCleave TF is ideally suited for applications that rely on thin and reduced‑cladding fibers to achieve compact form factors and high functional density. A key application area is miniaturized fiber‑optic gyroscopes (FOGs) used in navigation systems, where reduced fiber size enables lighter, smaller, and more efficient sensor designs without compromising performance.

It is also widely used in the fabrication of ultra‑thin embedded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. These sensors are increasingly deployed for structural health monitoring, advanced medical devices, and industrial sensing applications where minimal invasiveness and high sensitivity are required. Reliable cleaving is essential for successful grating integration and low‑loss splicing in these systems.

In advanced photonics R&D, the ProCleave TF supports experimental fiber designs and novel sensing architectures that push the limits of fiber diameter and mechanical robustness. Its precise, low‑stress cleaving process allows researchers to work confidently with fragile fibers while maintaining consistent, high‑quality results.

For high‑yield production environments, the ProCleave TF delivers the repeatability and speed needed to support scalable manufacturing of thin‑fiber assemblies, helping to improve yield and reduce rework in demanding fabrication processes.

What’s next?

With the ProCleave TF, NorthLab provides a cleaving solution that is aligned with the ongoing miniaturization of photonic systems. Its combination of precise tension control, advanced cleaving technology, and seamless integration with major splicer platforms makes it a reliable foundation for both current and future thin‑fiber applications.

As reduced‑cladding fibers continue to enable new levels of performance in sensing, navigation, and medical technologies, the ProCleave TF offers the control and confidence needed to take these innovations from concept to production. Whether you are optimizing an R&D process or scaling manufacturing, the ProCleave TF