User Manual

C10/C9/C8/C6/C5

www.COMWAYTEK.com
CATALOG

1. PREFACE ..........................................................................4
MAIN CONTENT ................................................................................................... 4
SAFTY PRECAUTIONS ............................................................................................ 4
MAINTENACE NOTES............................................................................................ 5
TANSPORTATION AND STORAGE ......................................................................... 6
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................... 6
STRUCTURE ........................................................................................................ 11
POWER SUPPLY AND CHARGING........................................................................ 12
MAIN SCREEN .................................................................................................... 15
BRIGHTNESS AND VOLUME SETTING ................................................................. 16

2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ............................................... 18

3. SPLICE ............................................................................ 19
SPLICE MODE ..................................................................................................... 19
AUTO START ....................................................................................................... 21
CAMERA ............................................................................................................. 22
SCREENSHOT ...................................................................................................... 27

4. HEAT ................................................................................ 28
HEAT MODE ....................................................................................................... 28
AUTO START ....................................................................................................... 30

5. MAINTENANCE ............................................................... 30

2
 DAILY CLEANING ................................................................................................ 30
ELECTRODES REPLACEME .................................................................................. 33

6. SYSTEM .......................................................................... 41
SYSTEM INFORMATION...................................................................................... 41
RESOURCE DOWNLOAD .................................................................................... 42
LANGUAGE ......................................................................................................... 42
DATETIME .......................................................................................................... 42
SARTUP PASSWORD ........................................................................................... 43
LOW POWER MODE ........................................................................................... 44
AUTO SHUTDOWN ............................................................................................. 41

7. ERRORS AND SOLUTIONS ................................................ 42

” FIBER PLACED ERROR” ..................................................................................... 42
” MOTOR OUT OF LIMIT”.................................................................................... 43
” FACE ANGLE TOO LARGE” ................................................................................ 44
” FIBER ANGLE TOO LARGE” ............................................................................... 45

8. CONNECT THE PC SOFTWARE .......................................... 47

INSTALLATION AND CONNECTION ..................................................................... 47
EXPORT STORED FUSIN SPLICE RECORDS .......................................................... 48
UPGRADING THE FIRMWARE OF THE FUSION SPLICER ...................................... 49

9. TIPS................................................................................. 51
HOW TO IMPROVE THE SPLICING QUALITY........................................................ 51

WHEN TO USE AUTO SPLICE MODE（C10 ） .................................................... 52

3
1. PREFACE
MAIN CONTENT
Thanks for choosing COMWAY Single Fiber Fusion Splicer
product.
To help users master this machine quickly, this manual
particularly introduces the function feature, operation skills,
maintenance notes and precautions of COMWAY C10
Fusion Splicer.

Description:
In this manual,the C10 pictures are used for description
(including the cover) by default, and C9/C8/C6/C5 series
products are used in the same way.

Important !!
Be sure to read all this manual carefully before
use.

For more information, please contact local distributor or visit

website:
www.comwaytek.com

SAFTY PRECAUTIONS
This machine is only used for splicing the silica optical fiber. It

4
 can not be used for other purpose.
As the splicer is the high precision machine, please be
cautious to carry and operate, conforming to the following
safety regulations:
⚫ Do not use the machine in an explosive hazardous
situation.
⚫ Do not touch the electrodes when the machine is
power-on!
⚫ Never disassemble the machine by yourself. Any
problem, please contact the authorized maintenance
center to repair it.
⚫ Do not expose the machine in fire, thunder, rain, and
humid environment.
⚫ Do not stack the battery and adapter up each
other when charging, otherwise it will cause the fire.

MAINTENACE NOTES
⚫ Do not use hard and sharp objects to clean V-groove
and electrodes.

⚫ Do not use acetone，gas or other chemistry agent to

clean any parts.
⚫ Please conform to more maintenance instructions in the
subsequent chapters of this manual.

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TANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
⚫ To avoid the emergence of condensation, the machine
should be kept at least 1 hour to accommodate
environment from coldness to warmness.
⚫ If long time no use, the machine should be cleaned and
kept dry.
⚫ The machine should be put in the carrying case to avoid
damage and dirty when carried.
⚫ Keep the splicer away from the direct sunlight,
extremely high temperature or relative humidity over
than 95%.

SPECIFICATIONS

Size & Weight D156 x W135 x H149（mm）

Weight 2.0kgs（2.4kgs with battery）

Fiber Alignment C10/C9: 6 motors core alignment

C8/C6/C5:high precision PAS core

alignment
Fiber type SM(ITU-T G.652/G.654), MM(ITU-T
G.651), DS(ITU-T G.653),
NZ/NZDS(ITU-T G.655), BI(ITU-T
G.657)
Splice mode Single fiber

Fiber diameter Cladding diameter 80~150µm，coating

100~3000µm

6
Cleave length 250µm cladding diameter 8~16mm,
over 250µm cladding diameter 16mm

Minimum splicing 16mm

length
Splicing programs Max. 200
Splicing time 6 sec.[SM FAST] program,10 sec.[SM
G652] program
Heating programs Max. 30

Heating time Adjustable,Typical 12sec.

Splice protector 10~60mm

Splice image Max.800

capture
Splice data storage Max. 20000

Splice loss SM:0.02dB, MM:0.01dB, DS:0.04dB,

NZ/NZ DS:0.04dB, BI:0.02dB
Return loss >>60dB
Loss estimation Provided
Operation Altitude 0~5000m，Humidity 0~95%，
condition Temperature -10~+50℃，Wind velocity
up to15m/s
Storage condition Humidity 0~95%，Temperature -
40~+80℃（battery -10~+40 ℃）
Tension 1.96~2.25N

Fiber view Two 300x cameras observation, 4.1inch

high-light color screen,Super screen 750x
cameras observation
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Fiber 300x for X or Y single axis view,
magnification 200x for both X & Y dual axis view

Port High speed USB

Electrodes life 5000 splices

Power supply AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz

Battery parameters C10/C9:8400mAh High capacity battery,

more than 320 times splicing and heating

C8/C6/C5:5600mAh High capacity battery,

more than 250 times splicing and heating

8
STRUCTURE

Wind
protector
Heater
ON/OFF

Heat Key

Operation
Keys Hand
Strap

Battery

LCD Monitor

11
POWER SUPPLY AND CHARGING
⚫ Install/Remove the battery:

Insert the Battery Pack into the machine in the direction

as indicated by the red arrow.

12
 Press the Battery Release Button to remove the battery
as indicated by the red circle.

⚫ Power supply with AC Adapter:

1. Remove the Battery from the machine;

2. Insert the AC Adapter/Battery Charger into the
machine (same place as the battery);
3. Insert AC Power Cable into the AC Adapter/Battery
Charger and start getting energized.

13
⚫ Battery charging:

1. Connect the AC Adapter with the Battery by DC

Power Cable;
2. Insert AC Power Cable into the AC Adapter, and
then start getting energized.

Important !!
Do not put the Battery and Adapter
overlapped when charging.

14
MAIN SCREEN
Insert the Battery Pack or AC Adapter/Battery Charger and

press the power key until it turns green, then the

splicer starts work and check itself. After finished, the splicer
enters into the Main screen and shows “Ready”.

Splice mode;
Heat mode;
The electrode
life time.

Now open the wind-

protector and start the fusion work.

15
BRIGHTNESS AND VOLUME SETTING
Follow these steps:

⚫ On the Work interface, press UP key or DOWN

key , then the brightness and volume menu come

out;

⚫ Press the menu key to change

between brightness Tab and volume Tab;

⚫ Press UP key and DOWN key to adjust the

brightness or volume. After selecting the suitable

brightness or volume, press the to store (or press

back key to give up).

16
17
 2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Power On

The edge The center

Check splicing
mode of of
and heating V-groove electrodes
mode

Insert the fiber

through the sleeve

Strip,clean and
cleave the fiber

Place the end of fiber

Open the
wind protector and between the V-groove
put the fiber into the
V-groove edge and the center of
electrodes.
Notice: Do not touch the
cleaved fiber end face
against any surface.

18
 Close the wind
protector and
start the splicing
process
PULL PULL

After splicing, take

the fibers away M
Move into the heater

Move the protection

sleeves to the
splicing point.
While maintaining a slight
tension on the fiber end, do
not twist or flex the fiber.
Placing the fiber Just lower the fiber into the
into the heater. heater as the arrow
Start the heating pointing direction.The oven
process.
hood will be closed and
start heating automatically.

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 3. SPLICE

SPLICE MODE
When the splice mode is not matched with the fiber type,

click the Menu key, then enter into the Splice / Splice
mode, select and enable the splice mode matched with

the fiber type.

When the fiber type is uncertain, AUTO mode is suggested,

but the speed of splicing will be slower.

(Notes: AUTO splicing mode C10 is available, C9/C8/C6/C5 is

not available.

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AUTO START

Auto start includes two options:

ON Close the wind-protector under operation

interface,
start to splice automatically.

OFF Close the wind-protector under operation

interface, no response.

21
PAUSE 1, PAUSE 2
Pause 1 includes the following options:
ON When starts to splice under the
operation interface, the splicer will be
paused for confirmation after finishing
cleaning & discharging operation

OFF When start to splice under the operation

interface, the splicer will keep operating after
finishing cleaning & discharging operation.

Pause 2 includes the following options:

ON When starts to splice under the operation
interface,the splicer will be paused for
confirmation after finishing the second time
alignment.
OFF When start to splice under the operation
interface,the splicer will keep operating after
finishing the second time alignment.

CAMERA
This option is for setting up the display mode of the X/Y view
in the fiber splicing process.
COMWAY Fusion Splicer has two cameras, the display
images from these two cameras called X-view and Y-view.

22
Camera interface shows every steps of a fiber splicing
process:

23
 Gap set Push the fibers into view.
Clean ARC to clean the fiber.
Align Adjust fibers to align approximately.
Align Adjust fibers to align accurately.
again

ARC ARC to splice the fibers.

Estimate Estimate the splicing loss.
Complete Splicing finished, wait for tension test.

For each step, Camera options are available as below:

X Show the X-view only

Y Show the Y-view only.
X|Y Show both X-view and Y-view.

20
 SKIP ERROR

Skip error interface lists various errors that may be detected

in a fiber splicing process:

20
 Fiber Fiber end is not found, face uneven or dust
end-face
error

End face cleaving angle is too large.

angle too
large

Fiber angle The fibers of V-grooves are not in the same

too large level
(There may be dust on the V-grooves or fiber
surface.)

Dust burn It founds dust burning when discharging and

splicing (There is dust on the fiber surface or
the fiber end face.)

Loss too The estimated loss is large after spliced（This

large splicing may be not eligible.）

For each error, the Skip error options are available:

ON Warn and pause to confirm when detects

corresponding error.

OFF Skip and keep operating when detects

corresponding error.

20
SPLICE HISTORY
History interface will automatically record the specification
data of each splicing operation and the estimate loss in
order to take reference inquires about the statistics.

The data of each splicing operation will be recorded

according to the time order. The latest record will be
arranged on top.

SCREENSHOT
Screenshot interface is used for saving the images of X-view
and Y-view for project record or error analysis.

This function is to automatically save the error image when

the splicer reports an error, and adopt rolling overlay storage.
The sub-item function has the functions of viewing image
records and clearing image records.

20
4. HEAT
HEAT MODE
Press the key in the Operation interface when the
heating mode is not matched with the protection sleeve
which is currently being used.Then enter into the Heat /
Heat mode interface, choose a heating mode that is
matched with the protection sleeve.

The [40mm std.] and [60mm std.] mode are designed for
working above 0℃ which are respectively used for heating
the common 0~40mm and 40~60mm protection sleeve.
When the heating is not sufficient due to the fairly thick
protection sleeve or the low temperature, please follow

28
these steps until improved:
1. Switch from [XXmm std.] mode to the corresponding
[XXmm plus] mode.
2. Heat the 40mm protection sleeve under the [60mm std.]
or [60mm plus] mode;
3. When the heating is not sufficient even under the

[60mm plus] mode, select [New =>] item, press

key to create a new heating mode, set up the heating

time to 45s, return and select this option to start this

mode;

4. When the heating is still not sufficient even finished the

above steps, select the new heating mode created

above, press key to enter into the Mode edit

interface, add 5 to Heat time and test whether

successful;
5. Repeat the step 4 until getting the most suitable heating
time that can heat sufficiently under the current
environment.

29
AUTO START
Auto start includes the follow options:
ON Put the fiber in the heater. The splicer will start
heating automatically once the heater cover is
closed.

OFF Put the fiber in the heater. The splicer will start

heating only when press the key.

5. MAINTENANCE
Since the splicer is the high precision machine, it should be
cleaned and maintained regularly while being used in order
to guarantee the optimum performance.

DAILY CLEANING
There are mainly two parts need daily cleaning: V-groove
and Microscope Lens:
1. When clean the V-groove, follow these steps:
⚫ Wipe the bottom of the V-groove with a small cotton
swab dipped by alcohol;

30
⚫ Suck the remaining alcohol in the V-groove with a dry
cotton swab;
⚫ Jab out the dirt in the V-groove with the end part of a
cleaved fiber.

2. When clean the microscope lens, follow these steps:

⚫ Wipe the surface of the microscope lens with a small
31
 cotton swab dipped by alcohol;

⚫ Suck the remaining alcohol on the surface of the

microscope lens with a dry cotton swab.

32
ELECTRODES REPLACEME

When ARC times surpass the electrodes’ lifetime, the

discharging will be unstable, and splicing loss goes larger.
So,suggest users to clean the electrodes after every 500
times splicing.
When the splicer warns users of replacing electrodes, please
change the electrodes as required to guarantee the
splicer’s performance.

Electrode life notification ：

COMWAY Fusion Splicer has the upgraded functions of
electrode life notification and ID electrode replacement, as
described below:
1.The electrode life will be shown in the main operation
interface, as shown below:

Electrodes life:
3753 means the
current used times
5100 means the
total lifetime

2. When the electrodes’ used times are close to the total

lifetime, the words “electrode life” will turn red with a notice,
as shown below: replace the electrode

33
3. When the electrodes’ used times reach to or over the
total lifetime, there will be scrolling notices, as shown above.

4. At the same time, the electrode replacement warning will

display every time when the splicer is boot up,
as shown below:

Warning on booth-up
when the electrode is
used over its lifetime.

34
ID electrode replacement ：

1. Enter into the “ Replace electrodes ” interface, do as

the operation tips. Two ways to enter into “ Replace
electrodes” interface: one is via the main menu interface,
the other one is via the maintenance menu interface.

Main menu interface Maintenance menu interface

2. Follow the [ Step 1 ] as the interface prompts : Shut down

the splicer and replace by new and original COMWAY

35
 electrodes (ID electrode).

“Replace
electrodes”interface

⚫ Shut down the splicer, unfasten the screws to remove

the electrodes, replace the old electrodes with the
new ones, then install electrodes holder on the splicer
and fasten the screws.

Remove the buckle

with hands

3. Boot up and re-enter into the “Replace electrodes ”

interface, as the [Step 2 ] notice, scan the QR Code by to the
“Electrode activation” interface, and input the serial number
36
in the original COMWAY electrode package.

4. Press the Enter button in the “Replace electrodes ”

interface to the “Input activation code” interface to
identify.

37
5. After finishing all of the above steps: Electrode counter had
reset to zero automatically.

6. After finishing all steps of electrode replacement , please

38
enter into the “Maintenance menu” to implement
“Electrode stabilize” and “ARC adjust”.

39
Power on the splicer, press the key, and then enter into the
Maintenance menu.
⚫ Operate under Electrode Stabilize;

⚫ Operate under ARC Adjust；

40
6. SYSTEM

SYSTEM INFORMATION
System information interface presents all the basic
information of the current system of the splicer, including the
temperature inside the wind-protector detected by
temperature sensor.

Temperature
inside the
wind
protector

40
 RESOURCE DOWNLOAD
In the Resource download interface, the QR code and
download link of COMWAY tools , COMWAY datasheet and
COMWAY user menu is provided. They can be downloaded as
needed.

LANGUAGE

Language interface is available for the specific area. All the

languages under this menu can be selected.

DATETIME
40
 Datetime interface is for setting date and time. The exact
date and time would be shown on functions like splice
history and image storage, etc. Correct date and time can
make your information more accurate.

The power supply on the mainboard makes sure time run

precisely when the machine is off. Normally, the power
supply can work several years. If the system time stops
working when the machine is off, please contact the
authorized COMWAY service center to change a new
power supply.

SARTUP PASSWORD
Startup password function is used to set power-on password .

40
Startup password switch settings:

OFF Turn off startup password function, it can be used

directly after boot up.
ON Turn on startup password function, it can’t be used
till enter password. Initial password:0000 , do
remember the password after turn on startup
password function.

Select the password setting to set up password:

LOW POWER MODE

The splicer can run at Low power mode when idling time.
These options are available:

OFF When the Low power mode is OFF, the splicer

will not run at low power mode anytime.

40
(Number) The splicer will run at Low power mode when
there is no operation during the setting times.
Unit: second.

40
AUTO SHUTDOWN
The splicer can shutdown automatically when idling time.
These options are available:

OFF When this function is off, the machine won’t

shut down automatically anytime.

(Number) The machine will shut down automatically

when there is no operation during the setting
times.
Unit: second.

LCD DIRECTION
When the LCD screen direction is up or down,the image
on the display will change accordingly at the same time.

41
These operations are available:
Auto The image on the display will turn up or down
automatically.

Front The image on the display always shows forward.

Back The display image always shows backward.

7. ERRORS AND SOLUTIONS

” FIBER PLACED ERROR”

ERROR REASON SOLUTION

⚫ The fiber is
placed in ⚫ Press the ,
the replace the fiber, and
incorrect make sure that the
position.
“Fiber end-face of the fiber is
⚫ There is
placed error” some dust in between the edge of
the the V-groove and the
V-groove.
middle of the two
electrodes.
⚫ Clean the V-groove.

42
” MOTOR OUT OF LIMIT”
ERROR REASON SOLUTION
⚫ The fiber is
placed in ⚫ Press the ,
the replace the fiber, and
incorrect make sure that the
position.
“Motor out of end-face of the fiber is
⚫ There is
limit” between the edge of
some dust in
the V-groove and the
the
middle of the two
V-groove.
electrodes.
⚫ Clean the V-groove.

43
” FIBER DIRTY”
ERROR REASON SOLUTION
⚫ There is ⚫ Strip the fibers again,
some dust clean up them with
“Fiber dirty” on the dustless cloth dipped
surface of by alcohol, then
the fibers. cleave the fiber again.

” FACE ANGLE TOO LARGE”

ERROR REASON SOLUTION

⚫ The fiber is ⚫ Strip the fibers again,
not well- clean up them with
“Face angle
cleaved. dustless cloth dipped
too large”
by alcohol, then
cleave the fiber again.

44
” END FACE ERROR”
ERROR REASON SOLUTION
⚫ The fiber ⚫ Strip the fibers again,
end-face is clean up them with
“End face
fragmentized dustless cloth dipped
error”
and uneven. by alcohol, then
cleave the fiber again.

” FIBER ANGLE TOO LARGE”

ERROR REASON SOLUTION

“Fiber angle ⚫ There is ⚫ Strip the fibers again,

some dust clean up them with
too large”
on the dustless cloth dipped
surface of by alcohol, then
the fibers. cleave the fiber again.
⚫ There is ⚫ Clean the V-groove.
some dust in
the
V-groove.

45
” DUST BURN”
ERROR REASON SOLUTION
⚫ There is ⚫ Strip the fibers again,
some dust clean up them with
on the dustless cloth dipped
surface of by alcohol, then
the fibers. cleave the fiber again.
⚫ There is ⚫ Clean the V-groove.
“Dust burn”
some dust
on the V-
groove

46
 8. CONNECT THE PC SOFTWARE

INSTALLATION AND CONNECTION

Follow these steps:
（Notes：Following steps are suitable to the machine with red
label, For the machines with yellow label please refer to the
previous user manual.
⚫ Install the software Fusion Splicer for windows system on
PC.
⚫ Connect the fusion splicer and PC with USB cable.

USB PORT

USB port is on the left side

of the display.

⚫ Start the Fusion Splicer software, press the power on button

+heat button at the same time under power off
situation, then the machine enters into the USB enable
mode.
47
When shows History”and“Firmware”includes
“Connected”means
2 big functions of the software。
machine is connected
successfully

EXPORT STORED FUSIN SPLICE RECORDS

⚫ With the assistance of Fusion Splicer software, it is much
easier to export the fusion splicer records under the menu
“History”
⚫ Power on the machine, press menu button, enter into
“More”,under “Splice” menu then choose “History”
and “ Export History”. Follow the steps shown on the
display: Create export files till it shows “Complete”
⚫ Start Fusion splicer software, choose “History”, click
“Receive” button;
⚫ Click the “save“ button on the Fusion Splicer software
to save the fusion splice records on the PC.
⚫ This file can be opened with Microsoft Excel and other

48
 compatible softwares.

UPGRADING THE FIRMWARE OF THE FUSION SPLICER

Enter into the“System /System information”interface to check
the firmware version of the splicer.Users can get the newest
update file from COMWAY distributor,and then upgrade the
firmware of the splicer as the below steps:

Please refer to the previous chapter how to connect the

machine and PC with USB cable. Start Fusion Splicer software,
click”Firmware” button;

⚫ Click Select Files…”button, you can find the upgrade file,

then “Open”

49
⚫ When it shows“Complete”, power off the machine and
restart.
⚫ Press menu button, enter into “System Info” to check
whether the system is upgraded to the newest version.

50
9. TIPS
HOW TO IMPROVE THE SPLICING QUALITY
⚫ If the users follow the tips when use the splicer,good
splicing quality can be achieved,even zero splicing loss.
Here list some important tips:
⚫ Preparatory work before splicing:Daily Maintenance
Press the menu key,enter into the daily maintenance
interface,finish the maintenance operation according to
the tips;
⚫ Try your utmost to cut the fiber end face smooth, and
clean the fiber well with alcohol pad. Please refer to the
below image:

⚫ Choosing the corresponding Splice mode according to

51
 the fiber type (instead of Fast splice mode).E.g.,if the
fiber type is SM,then choose SM G652 splice mode
(instead of SM Fast splice mode);

Tips: When don’t know the fiber type, choose Auto to splice
the first time. Once learn the exact fiber type, then switch to
the right splice mode. (Auto only can be used on C10, not
C8/C6/C5)

⚫ Cleaning the V-groove every 500 times discharging and

splicing.

WHEN TO USE AUTO SPLICE MODE（C10 ）

⚫ The biggest difference between AUTO splice mode
another splice mode is that the splicer will identify the fiber
type under the AUTO splice mode and then automatically
choose the standard splice mode to splice.

e.g. The splicer will select SMG652 splice mode when it identify
out the fibers are both SM type. So the splicing time under the
AUTO splice mode will be longer than the standard splice
mode.

Tips: Choose Auto splice mode when the fiber type is unknown ,
and the fusion splicer will identify the fiber type
automatically .After confirming the fiber type, then switch to
the corresponding splice mode in order to improve the
efficiency of the following splicing work.

52
 COMWAY C10 User Manual
Version: 2.5
The models and specifications could be amended at any
time without prior notice.