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How to Ensure Safe and Effective Industrial Connections Using Cam and Groove Fittings?

Author: Graham Nel
by Graham Nel
Posted: Jul 20, 2018

Cam and Groove fittings offer a simple and quick way to connect and disconnect hoses and pipes. The design of these camlock fittings has several in-built safety features including a self-locking mechanism.

Cam and Groove fittings are popular in most industries as they offer a simple way of connecting and disconnecting hoses and pipes. One of the advantages is that workers are not required to use any tools to connect or disconnect hoses. The safety of the industrial connections depends on materials used in the construction of the camlock and gasket.

Cam and Groove fittings are manufactured from various materials including stainless steel, brass, Aluminum, and polypropylene. Here are some of the important factors that play a critical role in the safety of industrial fittings. Consider these when searching for the best cam and groove fittings supplier.

Use of Right Materials for Camlock Fittings

Camlock couplings are used for many diverse types of industrial connections. They are used for hose, pipe, tanks, and tubing conveying powders, and liquids which include fuels, cosmetics, foodstuffs, cooling water, chemicals, adhesives, pumps, offshore, pellets, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and more. The dimensions and pressure tolerances are the main specifications of the cam and groove fittings. Camlock fittings are manufactured in different sizes and materials where the base material is selected as per the temperature and pressure the fittings need to withstand to.

Use of Right Gasket Material

Though cam and groove couplings usually are supplied with a Buna Nitrile gasket, companies can also demand different gasket material like EPDM which is the agricultural standard. Other options in gasket material are Viton and Teflon which are available on special order and are suitable for fuels and chemicals.

Use of Self-Locking Couplers

The safety of industrial connections can be increased by using self-locking couplers where spills need to be prevented. In self-locking couplers, the self-locking arms remain locked in the closed position which ensures the lines remain attached until the operator manually opens the coupler. The self-locking arms have rings at the end of the handle that needs to be pulled manually to unlock the arms.

Besides the above factors, there are several other characteristics and features of cam and groove fittings that play an important role in ensuring safe and effective industrial connections.

?The coupler arms cannot be easily disconnected by a simple push when pressurized to 20 PSI and over

?There is a provision to use safety pins to lock the coupler arms

?The groove couplings and safety release cam allows releases of static pressure when disconnecting assemblies

?The venting system acts as an additional protective mechanism that protects the operator from hazardous or non-hazardous sprays.

?The cam arm pins are made of durable stainless steel that do not bind or rust. This gives the cam and groove fittings greater safety and strength.

?Recess holds the gasket in the correct place

?Cam and groove fittings are precision machined to rigid tolerances

?Long shank design of the cam and groove fittings allows proper banding and eliminates the probability of hose damage

?Safety clips can be attached once the arms are closed. The safety pins provide a positive locking action where the safety clips prevent the unlocking of the coupler until the safety clip is removed manually.

Remember these points for safety and efficiency in applications of camlock couplings.

If you want to buy Stainless Steel Ball Valves, the author of this article suggests Proflow Dynamics.

About the Author

If you are looking for a homebrew quick disconnect fitting, then the author of the article recommends Proflow Dynamics.

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Author: Graham Nel

Graham Nel

Member since: Feb 14, 2017
Published articles: 4

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