AMS Technologies presents Sagitta`s Gemini-Cx Polishing Robot with optical inspection at the ECOC 2003

The Gemini-Cx Robot is an automated system that integrates the polishing-cleaning and inspection of fiber optic connectors, processing the range of single- and multi-mode.

August, 2003 -- AMS Technologies and Sagitta will present the Gemini-Cx at ECOC 2003, hall C5, stand 636 from September 22 to 24 in Rimini, Italy. The ECOC show is Europe`s largest exhibition of fiberoptic communication technology.

The Gemini-Cx Robot is an automated system that integrates the polishing-cleaning and inspection of fiber optic connectors, processing the range of single- and multi-mode. It will be on-hand to discuss the quantified cost-benefit of the system at this years ECOC exhibition.

The systems configuration contains five polishing tables with an automatic abrasive changer. The cleaning platform comprises a non-contact ultrasonic cleaner, an air-jet cleaner, and a contact wiping station. The inspection module is integrated to serve as a standard feedback tool for the system to capture the process results and to assist in statistical process control to ensure process uniformity and to adapt the process if necessary to avoid future misprocessing.

The automated process control offered by the Gemini-Cx gives consistent first pass yields typically around 95%, versus the 85% - 90% achievable with manual production. Each percentage point can be translated into savings of tens of thousands of Euros over the course of a years production run.Moreover, the process costs relating to consumable cost per end are decreased typically by 30%.

This decrease is due, in part, to full utilization of the abrasives real estate and the systems ability for real-time monitoring and adjustment of polishing rates. Finally, a typical polishing-cleaning-inspection manual production cell may require three to four operators to produce the same amount as one person manning the Gemini-Cx.While, ultimately the annual cost savings will depend on the device cost and volumes, the typical payback period amounts to approximately one year for a production of 500,000 simplex singlemode connectors.

The complete cost of ownership model with all of its component calculations and assumptions is available on request.