1. How do I request a quotation or volume pricing?
Email sales@xioptics.com with the complete part number, quantity, required delivery date, and shipping destination. If you are still selecting a part from the configurator available on our website www.xioptics.com under products please use the full part number, if you do not configure a product include the connector type/series and fiber specifications so we can help identify the correct configuration.
For repeat or production orders, include your expected annual volume and preferred delivery schedule. We can review quantity pricing and scheduled releases. Ask us to confirm how pricing applies to mixed part numbers and repeat purchases; these terms are established in your quotation.
2. Are your products in stock, and what lead time should I expect?
Availability depends on the exact configuration and quantity. We maintain finished products and component inventory, and some orders are assembled from stocked components. Specialty ferrules or unusually large requirements may need additional manufacturing time. Typically on quantities less than 250 we are shipping from stock or within 2-3 weeks for standard Mil-T-29504 and ARINC801 products.
Send us your complete part number and required date for a current delivery commitment. For urgent requirements, tell us the minimum quantity you need first; we can check whether partial shipments or an expedited build are feasible. Demand forecasts help us plan inventory for continuing programs.
3. Can you supply evaluation samples or completed cable assemblies?
Contact us with your application and the configurations you want to evaluate. We can review sample availability, quantities, and any associated charges before arranging supply.
For completed cable assemblies, provide the fiber and cable specification, connector or terminus at each end, cable length, quantity, and required testing. Depending on the build, we may quote an assembly or connect you with a cable assembly specialist whom we partner with. Lead time depends on both cable availability and termination requirements.
4. How do I select the correct XiOptics part number?
Start with the connector interface, pin or socket requirement, optical fiber type, ferrule bore diameter, cable construction, and termination style. Share the complete cable datasheet when possible; the outer jacket diameter alone does not describe everything needed to select a terminus. Our online product configurators are available under products at www.xioptics.com.
For example, TA-1260-M-P identifies an ARINC 801 terminus assembly with a 126.0 µm ferrule bore, multimode designation, and pull-proof construction. We can also review another manufacturer's part number or your source-control drawing and recommend a corresponding XiOptics configuration.
5. Will XiOptics termini work with my connector or replace another manufacturer's part?
XiOptics offers termini for established interfaces, including size 16 MIL-DTL-38999 applications, ARINC 404 and 600 applications, and all ARINC 801 systems compatible connectors. Compatibility depends on the specific terminus family, connector cavity, optical media, and mating arrangement. XiOptics performs intermate performance evaluations of our termini in industry standard connectors when used in conjunction or mated to competitor products. In some cases government or industry organizations have also performed these intermate tests, we can provide those test data when applicable.
Send us the existing part number and connector drawing for a cross-reference review. We will help check the mechanical and optical interfaces, cable termination, and applicable qualification requirements. Matching the general connector family does not by itself establish that every variant is interchangeable.
6. What is the difference between Style 1 and Style 2 M29504 termini?
Style 1 uses adhesive-lined heat-shrink tubing to retain the cable jacket and strength members. Style 2 uses an integral bonding cup that captures those elements with adhesive during termination.
Style 2 can simplify assembly by removing the separate heat-shrink operation. Style 1 may be needed for an existing drawing or approved process. Both Styles are established within the Mil-PRF-29504 specification. The styles retain the standardized mating interface, but the cable preparation and rear termination methods differ. We typically recommend customers consider Style 2 termini because processing is faster, easier and offers more consistency due to less process variation during termination. Confirm the permitted style against your program requirements and the selected part drawing.
7. Should I choose a pull-proof or non-pull-proof ARINC 801 terminus?
Choose according to how the fiber can move inside the cable. A pull-proof terminus anchors the jacket and strength members to the main body while allowing the optical assembly to move. This arrangement requires compatible loose-construction cable.
A non-pull-proof terminus connects the rear cable termination to the moving ferrule assembly and is the appropriate starting point for tight-construction cable. Using a pull-proof design with incompatible tight cable can stress the fiber as the termini mate. Send us the cable datasheet so we can confirm the construction and termination approach. We also offer a special terminus meeting the ARINC801 specification requirements that is unique for 900 micron jacketed fiber. This is an alternative to using the standard non-pull-proof design.
8. How do I choose the ferrule bore diameter?
Select the bore for the fiber's actual outside diameter at the bonding surface, including its manufacturing tolerance. The bore must provide enough clearance for insertion and adhesive while limiting lateral movement that can increase optical loss.
For nominal 125 µm glass fiber, customers commonly consider 125.5 or 126.0 µm bores. A smaller bore can improve alignment but may not accept fiber at the upper end of its tolerance. Share the fiber specification and optical-loss target so we can help balance fit and performance. The approved drawing defines the tolerance for the selected part.
9. Can I use 900 µm buffered fiber or a nonstandard cable jacket?
Yes, suitable configurations and termination approaches are available, but the cable and terminus must be reviewed together. We offer a dedicated ARINC 801 configuration for 900 µm jacketed fiber. In suitable applications, a standard non-pull-proof bonding-cup terminus can also be used with correctly sized furcation tubing to center and support a smaller cable.
For larger or unusual jackets, we check the bonding area, strain relief, connector rear seal, and insertion/removal-tool clearance. Please provide the cable construction and connector details before selecting the part.
10. Can you make custom ferrules or application-specific termini?
Yes. We can review special ferrule bore diameters, selected dimensional changes, and application-specific terminus features. For larger diameter multi mode fiber we can often lap out the ID of our standard termini for shorter leadtime small lot production to support initial testing activity. Tell the fiber dimensions, tolerances, mating interface, optical requirements, and expected volume we will find a solution for you.
If we do perform precision lapping of existing ferrules some more normal production tolerance may not be able to be met. Different ferrule production routes can differ in concentricity, bore tolerance, setup cost, and lead time. We will identify the proposed manufacturing route and its limits in the drawing and quotation.
11. Where can I find termination instructions, and which adhesive should I use?
Use the product drawings and termination instructions on our Resources page, or request the documents for your exact part number. The correct process depends on the terminus style, cable construction, and any customer or program requirements.
Our qualification work has commonly used EPO-TEK 353ND for glass-fiber assemblies. Adhesive choice, injection method, cure cycle, and cable preparation must suit your approved process. Control adhesive quantity carefully: excess adhesive can enter moving areas and lock the spring mechanism. Glass-fiber and plastic-optical-fiber processes require their own instructions.
Technical resources: www.xioptics.com/resources/
12. What tooling do I need, and is the LCe adapter available?
Use tooling matched to the terminus family and connector, including the appropriate polishing fixture, inspection and test interfaces, and insertion/removal tools. Standard M29504 processing tools support our M29504 products; controlled machine polishing is recommended for single-mode work to manage endface geometry.
The LCe adapter was designed to interface ARINC 801 termini with LC equipment. It is currently outside routine production, with no committed reintroduction date. Contact us with your tooling or adapter requirement so we can confirm current support and availability.
13. Do you offer ARINC 801 termini for APC applications?
Our ARINC 801 termini can support an angled physical contact (APC) termination process, but we do not currently supply them with a pre-angled APC ferrule.
Our approach starts with a light physical-contact polish, followed by tuning against a reference cable to reduce alignment-related loss. The angle is then ground and polished using an indexed process. Final angle, ferrule geometry, mechanical registration, insertion loss, and return loss must be verified for the completed assembly and mating connector. Contact us before establishing an APC production process.
14. What optical loss should I expect?
Optical loss depends on the completed connection: the fiber, ferrule fit and concentricity, polishing, alignment, cleanliness, and mating hardware all contribute. A terminus part number alone does not define the loss of every finished cable assembly.
Tell us your wavelength, fiber type, insertion-loss and return-loss requirements, and whether the requirement applies to a reference-cable measurement or random mating between production assemblies. We can review relevant test data and discuss process controls, including ARINC 801 tuning where appropriate. Performance limits should be agreed for your particular configuration.
15. What should I do if fiber will not insert, a sleeve comes loose, or a connection fails testing?
Stop processing the affected items and contact us with the part number, lot number, quantity affected, fiber specification, and photographs or measurements showing the problem. Do not force fiber into a ferrule that does not accept it.
We will help distinguish dimensional fit, contamination, termination-process issues, and component problems. Some M29504 socket designs rely on the connector insert to retain the alignment sleeve, so sleeve movement outside the connector needs to be assessed in that context. We can review the application and provide disposition or return instructions when needed.
16. Do your termini have a defined service life or planned end-of-life date?
There is no single service-life figure that applies to every terminated optical connection. Overall life depends on the cable materials, adhesive, endface condition, operating environment, and handling as well as the terminus itself. The cable assembly supplier or system owner should establish the service-life and maintenance requirements for the finished assembly.
Our standard M29504 and ARINC801 product families have long production histories, and we support continuing and legacy applications. We utilize only stainless steel alloys for metallic components and of course zirconia ceramic for ferrules. For lifecycle planning, request the current status of the exact part number and share your expected program duration and future demand.
17. Can you provide product drawings, cross-sections, or 3D CAD models?
PDF product drawings are our standard reference for dimensions and configuration. Cross-sectional drawings are available for relevant termini to help assess fiber preparation, cable fit, and integration. Check the Resources page or request the current drawing for your complete part number.
If you need a 3D CAD model, include the required part number and file format. Engineering can review whether a model or extract is available. Use the current released drawing as the controlling dimensional reference.
Technical resources: www.xioptics.com/resources/
18. Are your products QPL approved, and can I obtain qualification test reports?
XiOptics has completed all needed testing for QPL of both our single mode and multi mode products. Full test reports are available at the resources link on our website at www.xioptics.com. This testing covers also all of our Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products. We are currently working to establish QPL of our Style 1 Mil-PRF-29504 /4 and /5 termini. If your purchase requires Qualified Products List (QPL) supply, identify that requirement explicitly so we can confirm the current status in writing for the requested part.
We can provide relevant test reports for engineering review, including ARINC 801 and historical M29504 testing. If specific test sequence data is needed please contact us. XiOptics only uses certified external laboratories for testing to ensure transparency in our test results.
19. Can you provide current ISO certification and quality-system documentation?
ISO certification for our California facility is in progress as part of our operational transition. We can provide our current quality manual and discuss the quality controls and documentation applicable to your order.
For supplier approval, send us your required certification scope and any questionnaire or supporting-document requirements. We will confirm the current status for the facility and products involved so your records reflect the applicable operation.
20. Can you provide RoHS, REACH, material declarations, or country-of-origin documents?
Contact us with the complete part numbers and the declarations required for your supplier or purchasing records. We can review requests for RoHS and REACH documentation, material and minerals declarations, certificates of conformity, and country-of-origin information. In general, all XiOptics products meet all of the requirements of those standards and will so be stated on Certificates of Conformance.
Include the required document or reporting-template revision and identify any separately sourced accessories. Declarations need to match the supplied configuration and applicable reporting period. If your request includes a trade-preference certificate, specify that separately so we can review the exact requirement.
