Draw towers
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Draw towers

Draw towers are used to create fibres, such as optical fibres, by heating and stretching a bulk material (or preform) to create long strands. The design and composition of this preform results in different abilities of the fibres once drawn out, such as stronger fibres, more efficient data transmission, or a broader available bandwidths for carrying information.

List of available equipment
TOOL MAKE AND MODEL
KEY DIFFERENTIATOR
LOCATION
Heathway Draw tower
Polymer draw tower
NSW Node University of Sydney
Description
Drawing specialty polymer, softglass and composite fibres.
Related Information
Drawing specialty polymer, softglass and composite fibres.
Tool Contact
justin.digweed@sydney.edu.au
Heathway/Controls Interface 4m Drawing Tower
4m Fibre Draw Tower
Optofab Node University of Adelaide
Description
Soft glass and polymer draw tower
Related Information
A 4m soft glass drawing tower is currently used to draw preforms of 8 - 15mm diameter and up to 180mm lengths into canes of approximately 1mm outer diameter or fibres of 100 - 400µm outer diameter. The temperature range that can be reached in the centre of the hot zone of the RF furnace is approximately 200 - 900oC. Pressure and vacuum can be applied to the preform during caning and fibre drawing. A range of soft glasses and polymer can be drawn from this tower. In addition, the preform can be spun during fibre drawing. On-line coating of fibres with UV-curable polymer can also be performed.
Tool Contact
optofab@adelaide.edu.au
Heathway/Controls Interface 6m Drawing Tower
Hard glass draw tower
Optofab Node University of Adelaide
Description
Silica type glass draw tower .
Related Information
The 6m drawing tower enables the drawing of glass fibres in the temperature range of 1800-2200oC. In addition, this re-configurable and versatile tower will allow draw process modifications, as well as new research and commercial production opportunities of specialised optical fibres.
Tool Contact
optofab@adelaide.edu.au
TOOL MAKE AND MODEL
KEY DIFFERENTIATOR
LOCATION
Heathway Draw tower
Polymer draw tower
Optofab Node University of Adelaide
Description
Drawing specialty polymer, softglass and composite fibres.
Related Information
Drawing specialty polymer, softglass and composite fibres.
Tool Contact
justin.digweed@sydney.edu.au
TOOL MAKE AND MODEL
KEY DIFFERENTIATOR
LOCATION
Heathway/Controls Interface 4m Drawing Tower
4m Fibre Draw Tower
Optofab Node University of Adelaide
Description
Soft glass and polymer draw tower
Related Information
A 4m soft glass drawing tower is currently used to draw preforms of 8 - 15mm diameter and up to 180mm lengths into canes of approximately 1mm outer diameter or fibres of 100 - 400µm outer diameter. The temperature range that can be reached in the centre of the hot zone of the RF furnace is approximately 200 - 900oC. Pressure and vacuum can be applied to the preform during caning and fibre drawing. A range of soft glasses and polymer can be drawn from this tower. In addition, the preform can be spun during fibre drawing. On-line coating of fibres with UV-curable polymer can also be performed.
Tool Contact
optofab@adelaide.edu.au
TOOL MAKE AND MODEL
KEY DIFFERENTIATOR
LOCATION
Heathway/Controls Interface 6m Drawing Tower
Hard glass draw tower
Optofab Node University of Adelaide
Description
Silica type glass draw tower .
Related Information
The 6m drawing tower enables the drawing of glass fibres in the temperature range of 1800-2200oC. In addition, this re-configurable and versatile tower will allow draw process modifications, as well as new research and commercial production opportunities of specialised optical fibres.
Tool Contact
optofab@adelaide.edu.au