Fujikura 87S Optical Fiber Splicer Single Fiber Fusion Splicer

The Fujikura 87S is a significant step up from the 66S. It represents Fujikura's flagship ribbon fiber splicer technology, but it is also a supremely capable single fiber fusion splicer. It is designed for high-volume, high-precision work, often in carrier-grade and FTTx environments where speed and ultimate performance are critical.

While it handles single fibers brilliantly, its true differentiator is its ability to fuse massive ribbon fibers (up to 12 fibers at once) with incredible speed and accuracy.

Overview & Key Positioning

The Fujikura 87S is not just an incremental upgrade; it's a different class of machine. Think of it this way:

Fujikura 66S: The reliable, rugged, all-terrain truck. Excellent at its job and built to last.

Fujikura 87S: The precision race car + bulldozer hybrid. It's built for raw speed, maximum automation, and handling the largest jobs (ribbons) with unmatched precision.

It is the top-of-the-line solution for contractors and network operators who need to splice vast amounts of fiber in the shortest time possible, especially when working with ribbon cables.

Key Features and Strengths

Ultra-High Capacity Ribbon Splicing:

This is its flagship feature. The 87S can splice up to 12-fiber ribbons simultaneously in a single cycle. This is a game-changer for productivity. Instead of splicing 12 fibers individually (~2-3 minutes), it's done in about 2 minutes total (including heating), reducing splicing time by over 90% for ribbon cables.

Revolutionary LID (Light Intensity Distribution) Technology:

This is Fujikura's most advanced core alignment system. Unlike traditional fixed-point core alignment, LID scans the entire core along the fiber's axis to find the absolute optimal alignment point, even if the fiber core is slightly off-center or deformed. This results in unprecedentedly low and consistent splice losses, even on challenging or specialty fibers.

Blazing Fast Splice Speed:

For single fibers, the splice cycle is incredibly fast (around 5-6 seconds). For ribbons, a 12-fiber splice takes approximately 120 seconds (including arc calibration and sleeve heating).

Large, High-Resolution Touchscreen Interface:

Features a vibrant, intuitive, and responsive color touchscreen. It provides a brilliant view of the fibers and makes navigation and changing settings very easy. The UI is designed for efficient workflow.

Advanced Automation and AI:

The 87S is packed with smart features to minimize operator intervention and error:

Auto Fiber Type Detection: Automatically identifies the fiber type (SMF, MMF, etc.) and applies the optimal splicing program.

Auto Arc Calibration: Continuously monitors and adjusts the fusion current for perfect splices in any environmental condition.

One-Button Operation: The entire complex process of ribbon stripping, cleaning, splicing, and protecting is streamlined.

Superior Ribbon Management System:

Includes precision ribbon holders and a built-in, automatic ribbon sleeve heater that can handle multiple ribbon protectors in one cycle.

Robust Data Management:

Easily exports detailed splice reports with loss estimates, photos, and job data via USB or optional Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. This is crucial for documentation and quality assurance in modern networks.

Technical Specifications (Summary)

Splice Loss (Single Fiber):

Typical: 0.02 dB (SMF)

The key advantage is consistency and performance on specialty fibers thanks to LID technology.

Splice Loss (Ribbon):

Typical: < 0.04 dB for each fiber in the ribbon

Splice Time:

Single Fiber: ~6 seconds

12-Fiber Ribbon: ~120 seconds (including heating)

Fiber Compatibility:

Single Fibers: SMF, MMF, DSF, NZ-DSF, etc.

Ribbons: Standard 250µm coated ribbons, 200µm coated fibers, and bare fibers.

Heater: Integrated high-capacity heater for both single fiber sleeves and ribbon protectors.

Battery: High-capacity Li-ion battery, capable of hundreds of splices per charge.

Display: Large, full-color LCD touchscreen.

Ideal Use Cases

The Fujikura 87S is the ultimate tool for:

High-Density FTTx Deployment: Splicing the enormous volume of fibers required for city-wide fiber-to-the-home projects.

Long-Haul & Metro Network Construction: Where the lowest possible splice loss is non-negotiable across hundreds of splice points.

Data Center Interconnects: Splicing high-count backbone cables between data centers.

Any project heavily utilizing ribbon fiber cables. If you are working with ribbons, the 87S pays for itself in labor savings incredibly quickly.

Specialty Fiber Applications: Where LID technology provides a tangible benefit for fibers like Erbium-Doped or ultra-low-loss fibers.

87S vs. 66S: A Direct Comparison

Feature Fujikura 66S Fujikura 87S

Primary Use General Purpose, Field Single Fiber High-Volume, Ribbon & Single Fiber

Splicing Tech Core Alignment LID (Advanced Core Alignment)

Key Advantage Ruggedness, Value, IP54 Rating Speed, Automation, Ribbon Capacity

Ribbon Splicing No Yes (Up to 12 fibers)

Screen Basic LCD Large Color Touchscreen

Automation Good Advanced (AI, Auto Detection)

Target User Field Technician, OSP Crew Volume Contractor, Carrier Team

Cost Mid-Range Premium / Flagship

Conclusion

The Fujikura 87S is a powerhouse and a productivity multiplier. It is overkill for a technician who only occasionally splices a few single fibers. However, for any organization involved in large-scale fiber optic construction, particularly with ribbon fiber, it is an indispensable investment. It delivers unparalleled speed, the lowest possible splice losses, and revolutionary features like LID alignment and mass ribbon splicing that directly translate to faster project completion times and a superior-quality network.