LOW-COST OPTICAL FIBERS MICROSCALE GRINDING AND POLISHING SYSTEM: TOWARDS OPEN-SOURCE DEVICES AND SYSTEMS

Open-source software, devices, and systems allow other researchers and investigators to replicate, develop and enhance the reported systems in the literature. This paper introduces an open-source system for optical fiber grinding and polishing, which facilitates and speeds up the polishing and grinding process. The polishing system is based on an Arduino microcontroller board, an open-source development board that utilizes an easy programming language enabling almost everyone to develop and write their codes and projects. In addition, the reported device targets low-cost fabrication allowing more researchers to fabricate their grinding-polishing machine. The device consists of the control circuits, stepper motor, breadboard, and a 3D-printed desk, where the polishing and grinding films should be attached. The device is controlled via 3 buttons: start/shut down button, speed up button and speed down button.