Outside Vapor Deposition (OVD)
Outside Vapor Deposition is a preform manufacturing process in which high-purity silica soot is deposited onto the outside of a rotating core preform body. The deposited soot layers are then consolidated into dense glass, forming the cladding structure needed for optical fiber drawing.
outside vapor deposition (OVD)
Crafting Superior Cladding with OVD process
High-quality telecom fiber depends on a stable cladding structure around the core. In OVD manufacturing, cladding quality, glass consistency, and process stability must remain under control from deposition through sintering, degassing, and final preform preparation to create a reliable base for efficient fiber drawing.
Nextrom’s Outside Vapor Deposition (OVD) production solution helps manufacturers scale this critical cladding stage with high-output deposition, proven process know-how, efficient material use, and cost-effective production concepts for consistent telecom preform quality.
Nextrom’s OVD technology is designed for fiber manufacturers who need to produce large cladding preforms with high output, stable process performance, and competitive production costs. In high-volume fiber production, the cladding process must deliver large glass volumes efficiently and consistently, while keeping factory footprint, material use, and operating costs under control.
The OVD process enables high-capacity soot deposition for large final preforms. With deposition rates of up to 300 g/min and collection efficiency of 55% or more, Nextrom’s OVD system supports reliable throughput and efficient material use in continuous industrial production.
A key differentiator is the D4-CH4 OVD process. Compared with conventional SiCl4-based approaches, D4-CH4 helps reduce waste gas treatment, burner gas demand, and corrosive process inputs. This supports lower CAPEX and OPEX, longer equipment lifetime, and simpler plant infrastructure.
Combined with vacuum sintering, the OVD process supports large final preforms while reducing additional process steps such as clad soaking or degassing. This helps save factory space, reduce handling, and improve downstream fiber draw efficiency.
For modern fiber producers, OVD cladding is more than a deposition step. It is a strategic production lever for increasing glass output, lowering production cost, and simplifying the complete preform manufacturing flow.
high deposition output
designed for high-volume cladding production with deposition rates of up to 300 g/min, supporting efficient large-scale optical fiber preform manufacturing
Large un-jointed preforms
Nextrom’s OVD process enables large un-jointed preforms that reduce cutting, handle joining, glass working, acid washing, logistics, and draw interruptions, improving yield while lowering scrap.
D4-CH4 process
The D4-CH4 process reduces waste gas treatment, burner gas demand, and corrosive inputs while lowering direct production costs.
streamlined production
Because D4 reacts without halide formation, the OVD line can reduce exhaust treatment, chemical handling, utility demand, and overall space and infrastructure requirements.
advantages of Nextrom OVD equipment
Built for efficient and scalable cladding preform production
high collection efficiency
The OVD deposition system is designed for efficient soot capture, with collection efficiency above 55% and achieved values up to 60%. This improves material utilization and supports a more cost-efficient cladding process.
Vacuum sinteringÂ
Vacuum sintering supports large preform consolidation without separate clad soaking or degassing. By removing additional process steps, manufacturers can reduce space requirements, handling effort, and auxiliary equipment needs.
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advanced process control
Nextrom’s OVD equipment uses an advanced control system with a user-friendly graphical interface, PLC integration, PC interface, recipe management, data logging, trend graphs, and process monitoring tools. This supports stable operation, better visibility, and repeatable production performance.
non-contact preform inspection
The PIB inspection bench supports quality control for soot, sintered, and final preforms with non-contact machine vision. It measures diameter, bow, non-circularity, defects, and internal stress, helping maintain reliable preform quality throughout the OVD production flow.
Large final preforms - highest output OVD machine on the market
Turning cladding volume into a production advantage
nextrom's special experience
unmatched flexibility, unrivaled expertise
upgradability
Nextrom’s OVD technology is designed for long-term evolution. Existing systems can be upgraded with the latest automation, process control, and hardware developments to support changing production requirements and next-generation fiber designs.
With dedicated lifecycle support, customers benefit from improved performance, enhanced process stability, and extended equipment lifetime, while minimizing production interruptions and enabling continuous process improvement.
process knowledge
Rely on our dedicated experts, backed by decades of combined experience to guide you through commissioning and process training. Our tailored setup recommendations minimize tuning time and speed up your production ramp-up. With a proven global track record and hands-on industry know-how, we ensure you get into full-scale production faster, more efficiently, and with unwavering confidence.
references
We deliver proven know-how to jump-start your production, maintain top-tier quality, and preempt operational pitfalls. Industry leaders repeatedly rely on Nextrom, clear proof of our unwavering reliability and superior performance.
local support
Benefit from truly local teams across the US, China, India, and Europe, each offering quick response times, spare part availability, and support in your local language. With experienced engineers on-site, you’ll minimize downtime, optimize productivity, and have peace of mind knowing expert help is always within reach.
find out more about OVD clad manufacturing
Get in touch with our experts and find out more about our OVD solutions
OFC 15 – Glass Working Lathe
Handle Welding for OVD Cladding
Acid Washing System
Washed Pure Core Rods Ready For Cladding
OFC 05 – OVD Clad Deposition System
| High Deposition Rate: | 240g/min |
| Collection Effiency: | >50% |
| High Output Low Direct cost |
OFC 08 – Clad Sintering System
OFC 09 – Clad Degassing System
Preform Degassing – Bubble Free and Relaxed Preform
OFC 19 – Tip Forming System
Cutting of the bottom handle
Optimal Preform Tip for a Smooth Start for the Fiber Draw
Benefits of OVD cladding
- Large final preforms –Â highest output OVD machine on the market
- High-output OVD deposition with rates of up to 300 g/min
- Collection efficiency above 55%, with achieved values up to 60%
- Vacuum sintering without separate clad soaking or degassing
- Large un-jointed preforms with fewer joints and less draw scrap
- Reduced glass working, cutting, acid washing, logistics, and handling effort
- Improved factory efficiency through fewer process steps and auxiliary systems
Benefits of D4-CH4 OVD production:
- D4-CH4 process route for lower CAPEX and OPEX
- No scrubber requirement with D4-based OVD production
- Reduced waste gas neutralization and chemical treatment
- Lower burner gas demand through D4 process advantages
- No corrosive process inputs, supporting longer equipment lifetime
- Reduced cleanroom, HVAC, utility, and infrastructure requirements
- Lower direct material and energy costs for preform production
Solutions for OVD production
- OFC 05L – OVD Clad Deposition System
- OFC 08V – Vacuum Sintering System
- OFC 08L – Clad Sintering System
- OFC 09L – Clad Degassing System
- OFC 15L – Glass Working Lathe
- OFC 17 – Preform Elongation System
- OFC 19 – Tip Forming System
- PIB – Preform Inspection Bench
- AWS – Acid Washing System
- Preform handling and transport systems
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