TekRex Case Study: Loopback

Common fiber test device gets customization, reduced price through TekRex design and 3D printing.

Welcome to another installment in TekRex’s case studies video series. Here at TekRex, our focus on our clients’ success has led to some remarkable solutions, some of which we’ll dive into here.

This case focuses on a fiber optic cable manufacturer that wanted to design their own version of a loopback, which is a common testing device that, as the name suggests, “loops” a signal back through a transceiver port to verify that the port is working correctly. With their own loopback, the manufacturer could avoid the high prices and large levels of inventory from 3rd party suppliers. They could also improve upon existing designs for applications with tight form factors, such as data centers.

TekRex worked with the manufacturer to design loopbacks for a variety of adapter types and form factors. When it came time for production, the Carbon M2 printer was chosen due to its high level of finish and production capacity.

At the end of the project, the fiber optic cable manufacturer had a line of affordable, high quality loopbacks designed for any connector type or environment. These loopbacks can printed on demand to avoid large inventories with an easy to assemble design, making it easy to keep up with their steadily growing orders.

Watch the video below to see how we utilized our Prototyping and Development services to design and print these loopbacks.