Optical Cable Repeated Bend Testing Machine

CRB-1000 SERIES

Optical Cable Repeated Bend Testing Machine

UNIVER CRB-1000 Series Optical Fiber Cable Repeated Bending Testing Machine is designed to evaluate the flexural durability of optical fiber cables under repeated bending (cyclic flexing) conditions.

During testing, the cable specimen is bent alternately through an angle of 180°, with the two extreme positions at 90° on either side of vertical, while under a controlled tensile load. The bending arm securely holds the cable throughout the test, preventing fiber crushing or optical signal loss. The bending radius is defined by replaceable cushioning reels, which can be selected to match specific cable dimensions. The system operates at a rate of up to 30 cycles per minute, ensuring accurate and repeatable performance.

Brochure

Object
The purpose of this test is to determine the ability of an optical fiber cable to withstand repeated bending without degradation of mechanical integrity or optical performance.

Apparatus
The testing apparatus shall allow the cable sample to be bent backwards and forwards through an angle of 180°, with the two extreme positions forming 90° on either side of the vertical, while the specimen is subjected to a tensile load.
Unless otherwise specified, the bending radius of curvature shall be the greater of:

20 times the cable diameter, or
The minimum mandrel radius, defined as:
- 75 mm for outdoor cables
- 75 mm or 25 mm for indoor cables, as mutually agreed between customer and supplier

The apparatus shall be capable of cyclic operation, where one complete cycle is defined as movement from the vertical position to the extreme right, then to the extreme left, and back to vertical. Unless otherwise stated, the bending rate shall be approximately one cycle every 2 to 5 seconds.
The system shall also accommodate optical measurement equipment required to monitor changes in signal attenuation during the test.

Requirements
Acceptance criteria shall conform to the relevant detail specification. Typical failure modes include: