Simulation on billet extrusion for PMMA birefringent microstructured optical fiber preforms

Abstract

Plastic Optical Fiber or also known as Polymer Optical Fiber (POF) has been an object of interest in the recent years. It is a cheaper alternative and more user-friendly as compared to glass optical fiber. However, it suffers more attenuation and losses, and hence, more often used in short distance transmissions. Currently, majority of the commercial POF are made of PMMA material. By improving the manufacturing process, the cost and quality of PMMA POF can be improved.

The aim of this project was to optimize the fabrication of PMMA POF preform through using the billet extrusion method, by varying parameters such as temperature, extrusion speed, extrusion force. The simulation of the billet extrusion process was carried out using ANSYS CFX and ANSYS AIM software.