An apparatus for forming an optical fiber device comprising at least one
optical fiber includes a mold having a forming surface, a heating source
for heating the mold or the optical fiber, and an insert defining at
least one optical fiber locator passage for guiding at least one optical
fiber toward the forming surface. A method for forming an optical fiber
device from at least one optical fiber includes the steps of heating the
optical fiber or a forming surface of a mold to a temperature greater
than a melting temperature of the optical fiber; advancing the optical
fiber into contact with the forming surface of the mold such that a
portion of the optical fiber is formed into a shape inversely
corresponding to a shape of the forming surface; and withdrawing the
optical fiber from the forming surface.