Marlboro, Massachusetts - October 1st , 2006 - Senko Advanced Components, announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Miniflex, the leading innovator in the development of high-performance products for protecting and managing optical fiber cables.

Through this partnership, Senko will now distribute Miniflex protective tubing, Microduct and fibre installation systems through its established global distribution network throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Miniflex has specific patented manufacturing technology enabling it to make hard plastic materials flexible thus giving them beneficial characteristics suitable for the protection of optical fibre.

The distribution agreement will see SENKO continue the work being undertaken in the FTTH sector with the likes of AT&T and Verizon as they develop their solutions tailored for MDUs. The protection systems from Miniflex include: OFPT (Optical Fibre Protection Tube) is a specially constructed tube in which customers install their own fibre or cables. It is available pre-slit to assist retro-fitting or alternatively with fibre pre-installed to suit customers’ specific needs. Applications for OFPT include FTTP, automotive, industrial automation, defence and aerospace.

DVC™ Microduct is a derivative produced specifically to meet the FTTP needs identified by customers for a tough but flexible microduct. In terms of pushing or pulling fibre through this product, the low friction dynamic velocity conservation lining has been demonstrated to out-perform all other known products giving a 24% reduction in installation time. Its inherent bend limiting and crush resistant characteristics make it an ideal duct or conduit for FTTP use since it is much less susceptible to kinking when being installed.

Miniflex manufacturing technology enables the use of hard plastic compounds that exhibit extremely high tensile and compressive strengths. In normal circumstances these unique features would preclude it from applications that require flexible qualities. By utilising a patented combination of materials and manufacturing technology, Miniflex cable products, have both high crush resistance and bend limiting protection.

Another benefit of this manufacturing technique is a low surface friction and bend limiting construction that has a high resistance to longitudinal compression and buckling. This allows the Miniflex TuffNut™ Cable to be pushed long distances through complex routes of microduct and conduits. This provides for a simple high speed installation and eliminates the risk of high tensile loads occasioned when pulling cables through ducting and conduits.