A fiber stacking or aligning apparatus is described. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a first component and a second component. The first component is configured to permit the introduction of a plurality of fibers into an opening that defines a through hole through the first component. The second component is rotatably coupled to the first component, wherein the second component is configured to permit the introduction of the plurality of fibers that have passed through the through hole into an area in the second component that includes an alignment surface which limits the travel of the plurality of fibers so as to align the plurality of fibers, wherein the second component is further configured to be rotated away from the aligned plurality of fibers to expose the aligned plurality of fibers without disturbing them.