3M Innovation launches breakthrough fibre optic system

"...speeds data transmission and delivers high-bandwidth applications direct to computer users."

March 16, 1998 -- With an average installation time of only two minutes per socket (two fibres) the Volition™ brand VF-45™ brand duplex fibre optic connector from 3M provides 7X savings in installed cost over duplex SC connectors.

The Volition™ connector has a yield of 98 percent or greater and uses a simple mechanical connection, which completely eliminates the ferrules found in conventional connectors. Constructed of a few basic parts made from injection-molded, standard engineering plastic, the connector has the same footprint density and familiarity as a standard RJ-45 connector.

There are no adhesives required for installation, and no precision parts to be aligned making termination simpler and quicker than with ferruled connectors. The plug-and-socket design provides a duplex connection that is approximately half the size of the standard duplex SC interface, thus allowing higher density installations. For example, 24 of these new connector scan be plugged across the typical width of a rack where only 12 duplex SC circuits (with four ferrules and two sleeves) could fit, depending on the patching scheme.

The connection system is designed to require minimum maintenance, if any. The dust covers resident on both the plug and socket help prevent contamination so that the interconnect is extremely stable, even when exposed to hundreds of matings without cleaning.

When cleaning is required, a low-cost fibre cleaning system cuts cleaning time with an easy-to-use method that can be done by anyone. The front-entry cleaning process does not require disassembly of sockets or wall outlets (currently required in ferruled connector systems).

The new ferrule-less optical connector is tested to ISO 11801 and TIA-568A premises cabling standards and the corresponding component standards (ISO/IEC,TIA/EIA). In addition, the connector was adopted by the Fibre Channel Association ASC-X3T11 Technical Committee in February of 1997 as the new, small form factor interface for future variants of Fibre Channel.

The VF-45™ connector is part of the Volition™ fibre optic network solution from 3M, a complete solution for local area networks that speeds data transmission and delivers high-bandwidth applications direct to computer users. Due to its innovative design, the Volition™ system is priced at half the cost of current fibre optic cabling solutions.

Based in London, Ontario the 3M Volition Division has a 30-year history as a global leader in the supply of innovative materials, components, products and services that assure signal integrity in newly constructed or rehabilitated outside plant, premises wiring, or OEM systems and equipment. 3M is a diversified manufacturing company with annual sales in 1997 of more than $15 billion in continuing operations. It has operations in 61 countries and employs 70,000 people worldwide. Headquartered in London, Ontario, 3M Canada is a manufacturer of a wide variety of products that serve industrial, commercial and consumer markets.

For more information about the Volition™ connector, please contact 3M Voltion Canada by calling us toll free at 1-877-VOLTION (1-877-865-4846) or visit our website.