BOC Expert: Fiber Optics Makers Can Cut Costs With Right-Sized Raw Material Supply System.Business Editors MURRAY HILL Murray Hill may refer to one of the following places:
Properly aligning fiber optics fiber optics, transmission of digitized messages or information by light pulses along hair-thin glass fibers. Each fiber is surrounded by a cladding having a high index of refractance so that the light is internally reflected and travels the length of the fiber production requirements with gas and chemical supply systems can significantly cut costs for hard-pressed manufacturers, a BOC (Bell Operating Company) One of 22 companies that was formerly part of AT&T and later organized into seven regional companies. See RBOC. fiber optics expert told attendees at an industry conference. Art Shirley, Ph.D., director of technology and commercialization for BOC's fiber optics solutions team, says producers need to bring their supply systems in line with volume and quality needs. Shirley made his comments at the 51st International Wire and Cable Symposium at the Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center in Lake Buena Vista, Florida Lake Buena Vista is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is mostly known for being home to the Walt Disney World Resort. The population was 16 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 15. on Wednesday, Nov. 20. "The cost of the raw materials needed to achieve low optical losses - high purity gases and chemicals - doesn't fall in line with falling fiber prices. Producers need to make sure they're getting the best value from their suppliers," Shirley said. For example, liquid delivery of atmospheric gases may be the best option for optical fiber plants (Bot.) plants capable of yielding fiber useful in the arts, as hemp, flax, ramie, agave, etc. See also: Fiber that produce less than 1 million fiber kilometers a year. But for plants that produce more than 10 million fiber kilometers a year, an on-site air separation plant may be the more cost-effective option, Shirley said. Likewise, the supply of hydrogen, which is used in the draw and preform pre·form tr.v. pre·formed, pre·form·ing, pre·forms 1. To shape or form beforehand. 2. To determine the shape or form of beforehand. n. 1. process, also depends on the quantity needed, Shirley said. "A fiber manufacturer who only draws fiber may choose compressed gas, liquid or a small on-site hydrogen generator to meet his fairly modest needs. But a manufacturer who is drawing and making preforms would need substantial amounts requiring a large on-site or pipeline supply," he said. Shirley says helium is a special case, not only because it is in short supply, but because the amount required is not a linear function of the amount of fiber produced, but also increases with draw speed. So for large volume producers, helium recovery and recycling have become extremely important as a way to control costs. The BOC Group (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :BOX), the worldwide industrial gases, vacuum technologies and distribution services company, serves two million customers in more than 50 countries. It employs some 43,000 people and had annual sales over $6 billion in 2001. Further information about The BOC Group may be obtained on the Internet at http://www.boc.com. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion