Method of achieving excellent APC connector end face parameters using chamfered ferrules

The accepted standard for 2.5 mm angled physical contact (APC) connectors includes two key parameters: An end face nominal angle of 8 degrees (°); An apex offset less than 50 microns. In this paper, a method of achieving these parameters with improved accuracy for two ferrule shapes, the pedestal and the extended chamfer, is discussed. The improved method seeks to facilitate intermateability in terms of improved optical performance between like connectors produced by different manufacturers. Using an experimental polishing technique on the ferrule shapes described above, it will be demonstrated how to produce APC connectors with end face parameters that meet the following specifications: Angle: 8°±0.3°, apex offset <50 μm