Concorde Electronics

Using the QbE™ Cleaning System for End-Face Cleaning
1. What is the QbE Cleaning System?
The QbE Cleaning System is the precision wipe platform for cleaning fiber optic end-faces. This new fiber optic cleaning device
enables the user to clean fiber end-faces in either a “dry’ mode, or “wet” mode using a cleaning solvent, without damaging the
end-face.
2. How was the QbE Cleaning System developed?
The QbE Cleaning System was developed after three years of development with end users who expressed concerns regarding the
cleaning of end-faces. The QbE Cleaning System satisfies these concerns with an easy-to-use dispensing container, which carries
its own cleaning platen.
3. What advantages does the QbE Cleaning System have over other end-face cleaning
methods currently in use?

Features:
■ Complete fiber end-face cleaning system
■ Effective “wet” or “dry” connector cleaning
■ Provides the ideal cleaning surface
■ Convenient size
■ Heavy-duty lint-free wiping material enough for all end-face cleaning
■ Patent pending

Benefits
■ No refills to buy or investment in expensive mechanisms
■ Only system that allows both cleaning options
■ The QbE platen is perfect for outside plant and OEM applications
■ Portable cleaning system is perfect for tool kits and has best “foot print” for workbenches
■ Won’t shred or tear — tough enough to remove buffer gel, safe
■ Unique, easy-to-use cleaning device

4. How is the QbE Cleaning System constructed?
Each QbE Cleaning System contains 200 individual wipes on a roll. Each wipe is perforated for easy use and disposal, so there is always a clean wipe available for each end-face to be cleaned. The sides of the 3-inch cube container are reinforced, and each QbE Cleaning System comes with an attached neoprene cleaning platen. The cleaning platen insures that the cleaning process does not damage the fiber optic end-face.

5. How do I use the QbE Cleaning System?
Each individually packaged QbE Cleaning System contains detailed directions for four different cleaning operations. The user draws a clean QbE wipe over the cleaning platen, then follows the appropriate cleaning directions.

For “Dry” End-Face Cleaning:
■ Pull one QbE wipe over the fiber-safe neoprene platen.
■ Hold the end-face at 90 degrees, perpendicular to the platen.
■ Draw the end-face lightly over the platen in a smooth linear motion.
■ Do not press the end-face against the platen too hard.
■ Do not draw or retrace the end-face across the same area of the wipe.
■ Do not use a figure–eight motion; do not use a twist and turn motion.
■ Check your work with a fiberscope or other measuring device.

For “Wet” End-Face Cleaning:
■ Lightly spot the QbE™ wipe on the platen with Electro-Wash® PX Fiber Optic Cleaner (ES810).
■ Draw the end-face from the solvent wetted area across the dry area, using a smooth linear motion.
■ Check your work with a fiberscope or other measuring device.

For Splice Preparation:
■ Lightly moisten the QbE wipe with Electro-Wash PX Fiber Optic Cleaner and gently wipe away fiber contaminants.
■ Lightly dampen a 38540ESD swab and remove soils from the V-grooves on the fusion splicer.
For Buffer Gel Removal
■ Pull three single QbE wipes from the container.
■ Spray a small amount of Electro-Wash PX Fiber Optic Cleaner into the folded wipes.
■ Pull the cable through the first wipe and discard the wipe.
■ Repeat until the cable “squeaks” clean.

6. What makes the QbE Cleaning System unique?
The QbE Cleaning System container has double-walled, reinforced sides for extra durability, while the roll of lint-free wipes is wound around a center core that adds extra stability to the container as the roll is unwound. The large surface area of each individual QbE wipe provides enough space to clean two or even three fiber end-faces, so you can clean up to 600 end-faces with
one QbE Cleaning System. Since the cleaning platen comes new with each QbE Cleaning System purchased, there’s no chance the
platen will dry out and become hard before the unit is exhausted. This means less chance of damaging the end-face by rubbing it
across a dried-out, hardened rubber surface. The unique design of the QbE Cleaning System is currently patent pending.

7. Can cleaning solvents be used with the QbE Cleaning System?
The QbE Cleaning System is specifically designed to allow the use of solvent for a wet cleaning process, with an automatic drying
step, by drawing the end-face across the wipe from the solvent-wetted region to the dry part of the wipe. One can of Electro-Wash
PX Fiber Optic Cleaner (ES810) will deliver between 200 and 400 “shots” of cleaner, to match the 200 to 400 uses available from
each QbE wipe. Presaturated Electro-Wash MX wipes are also a good source of cleaning solvent for outside plant and in-field
service applications. Remember, it only takes a small amount of either solvent product to clean the fiber optic end-face or the
ferrule material.

8. What are the differences between reel cleaners and the QbE Cleaning System?
There are many differences between the QbE Cleaning System and other cleaning systems presently being used in the industry.
Some of the most obvious ones are:
■ Reel cleaners limit the user to a very small cleaning surface, usually only 0.75” x 1.0”, so they recommend “giving the end-face a quarter turn, then drawing it along the cleaner surface”. If there is hard grit on the end-face the “quarter turn” motion could result in scratching the end-face. The QbE Cleaning System uses a straight line cleaning motion which greatly reduces the
chance of damaging the end-face. Further, since the QbE Cleaning System is designed for use with solvent in a “wet” cleaning
process, the end-face is lubricated and less likely to be scratched. Three passes of the end-face across the QbE wipe and the
end-face is completely clean, with far less possibility of damage or scratching.

■ The conventional solvent used for cleaning end-faces is isopropyl alcohol (IPA), normally dispensed from squeeze-type
dispensers. IPA is very hydroscopic, absorbing moisture from the air very readily. The absorbed moisture dilutes the cleaner and
is then deposited on the end-face, which must then be dried. Electro-Wash PX Fiber Optic Cleaner is an aerosol package, so
there’s no way for it to be contaminated with atmospheric moisture.

■ Some reel cleaner systems advise using a “figure eight motion” when passing the end-face across the narrow cleaning window.
This motion is fine for polishing end-face surfaces, but when cleaning this motion produces drag, which can lead to linting of the cleaning surface. The larger QbE™ wipe area makes such a cleaning motion unnecessary, so there’s no chance of generating lint
when cleaning with the QbE wipe.

■ Each QbE Cleaning System carries detailed instructions for performing the four most common cleaning procedures used in the
industry. Other cleaning systems usually have separate instruction sheets, and sometimes no instructions at all.

Frequently Asked Questions
The Mighty Pen™

1) What exactly is The Mighty Pen?
The Mighty Pen is a brand new portable cleaning tool developed, patented and marketed by ITW Chemtronics®. It is designed to easily and quickly remove all types of residue, including permanent marker, adhesives, and ink stains – all in the portability of a pen.

2) What applications does the product work with?
■ Removes adhesives, tape and label residues
■ Cleans away ink marks
■ Eliminates flux residues
■ Removes conformal coatings
■ Refurbishes telephone equipment
■ Removes adhesive residue from medical devices
■ Cleans computer and rack systems
■ Spot cleans money changing equipment
■ All repair and maintenance spot cleaning

3) Where can The Mighty Pen be used?
The Mighty Pen can be used in rework and repair applications, and in field maintenance and service. It can be used to remove adhesive residue from phone systems, remove adhesive and ink marks from mirrors and glass, remove tracking stickers from medical devices, clean away adhesive and ink residue from integrated circuits, clean stray marks on phones and money changing machines, remove tape residues from computer housings…The Mighty Pen can be used where there is a need to eradicate adhesive residues, ink marks and other difficult to remove soils.

4) What type of companies would use this product?
All companies that are involved in field service and maintenance, repair, and refurbishment would have a need for this product. Also, anybody that cannot use Menda dispensers due to spilling/portability, gallon or pint liquids due to size and safety, or anybody that cannot use alcohol due to cleaning strength.

5) How is the pen packaged?
The pen is offered with 11.5 gm of solvent/pen, on a blister card. The label is our multilingual/thirteen language CircuitWorks® label. There are 12 pens/case.

6) What are the key features and benefits of the product?

Features
■ Extra cleaning power
■ Extremely portable
■ Pen dispensing system
■ Mild citrus scent
■ Patented (US patent #6677291)
■ Cap saver barrel

Benefits
■ Quickly removes a wide range of soils
■ Can easily be carried anywhere
■ Convenient and easy to use
■ Will not overpower the end-user
■ A truly unique formulation
■ Cap loss is prevented

7) Is the product plastic safe?
This material is safe on most plastics; however it is definitely not safe for use on acrylic, styrene, and carbonate based plastics. For a more detailed list of plastic compatibility refer to the Material Compatibility Chart on the Technical Data Sheet. To be on the safe side, always test on an inconspicuous area first.

8) How do I use The Mighty Pen to remove stickers?
The Mighty Pen will not degrade most plastic coatings on pressure sensitive stickers. Once the plastic coating is peeled off, the pen is designed to remove the adhesive residue that is left behind. However, if the solvent is applied on the edge and over the surface of the sticker, the solvent system will work it’s way under the label and make it easier to peel off the plastic coating.

9) Will this product remove “Sharpie” marks/permanent marker?
This is an ideal application for The Mighty Pen. Often people are convinced that nothing will remove “that permanent marker”! And when other products are used to remove permanent marks, often the ink is incompletely removed leaving behind an image “ghost”. The Mighty Pen’s unique formula and chisel tip scrubs away ghost images quickly. Permanent markers of all types can be quickly removed from surfaces such as glass, metal, and ceramics. Always test on an inconspicuous surface before use for material incompatibility, such as plastics, antiglare coatings on glass, etc. Plastic surfaces and painted surfaces must be tested on an inconspicuous area prior to use.

10) Is it safe for use on wood furniture?
In many instances there should not be any problems. However, The Mighty Pen can remove the varnish that protects the wood,leaving the surface dull or matte. To be sure test on an inconspicuous surface before use. The same is true for fabrics; test for colorfastness before use.

11) Will it remove coffee stains?
Yes. Again, the primary question is what is the substrate you are cleaning. Substrates such as keyboards (made from ABS or polycarbonate usually) and painted surfaces may be a problem, and should be tested prior to use. Test on an inconspicuous surface before use.

12) What about conformal coatings?
The Mighty Pen will do an excellent job removing silicone, acrylic, and urethane conformal coatings. The best way to remove the coating is to uncap the pen, press the nib onto the surface to be cleaned until solvent flows from the pen, and rub the coating away. It is recommended to remove any excess coating buildup from the surface with a wipe. It is also recommended to press the nib onto a wipe several times to flush the nib clean.

13) Can The Mighty Pen remove tar?
The Mighty Pen can remove tar, and other difficult to remove soils. Always check on an inconspicuous area to test the material substrate compatibility — especially on painted items.

14) Is the product safe for use on rugs? What about fabrics?
The Mighty Pen can remove oil, lipstick, and other difficult to remove soils. Again, always check on an inconspicuous area to test the material compatibility. For rugs and fabrics it is best to depress the pen tip onto the stain and let the solvent flow over the soil. Gently rub the nib into the soil to break up the soil, and blot with a clean wipe. The wipe will pull the soils into it. Repeat until the soil is removed.

15) What happens if I get it on my hands?
The Mighty Pen is a strong cleaner, and as such will dry out the skin. We recommend to always check the MSDS before using any chemical, and to always wear the appropriate protective equipment.

16) The Mighty Pen is listed as flammable. Why?
The Mighty Pen has a flash point below 100 degrees, and is therefore listed as flammable. This is in the same range as isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and ethanol (Bacardi Rum151). However, the main solvent in The Mighty Pen is a terpene product (d-limonene, an ultra-purified version of orange oil) that is safely used throughout the world as a cleaning product.