Robotic Fiber Optic Connector Cleaner

Energid Technologies proposes a robotic fiber optic cleaner that will perform better and faster than current methods. The cleaner will quickly remove contaminants from any number of termini in a MIL-STD-38999 style connector, using a small manipulative device to clean, algorithmically inspect, and reclean if necessary. It will work with both the male and female sides of each terminus, with multimode and single-mode fibers. Multiple key technologies are brought to this effort. The first is a cleaning process based on time-proven techniques and designed for automatic application. The second is an innovative robotic design, a mechanical system that will implement the cleaning process robotically. The third is powerful control software. Energid will leverage its Actin software toolkit for controlling the mechanical system and building the human interface. The fourth key technology is advanced machine vision. Energid will leverage its Selectin machine vision toolkit for inspecting termini to enable repeatable, reliable cleaning performance and also provide secondary benefit by identifying termini with fractures and other defects. The proposed system will work rapidly, give better cleaning results, reduce the risk of foreign object damage, and also detect needed repairs. It will increase the usability and reliability of Navy aircraft.