Parker Instrumentation has announced a radical new design of tube connector that can deliver huge cost savings to builders of industrial equipment involving fluids. Assembled by means of a simple push-fit operation, the new connectors provide permanent connections for fluid systems. For permanent connections, system builders would typically use either welded or 'cone and thread' style fittings, which are time consuming and expensive to install. Compared with these products, Parker Instrumentation estimates that its new Phastite connectors could reduce installation costs by a factor of 90% or more.
"There has been little significant change in industrial tube fitting design for 50 years," notes Parker Instrumentation's Steve Mullen. "By starting with a blank sheet, and re-thinking the sealing principle, we have devised a connector that radically changes the economics of fluid system building - providing the prospect of major cost savings for millions of industrial companies worldwide."
Phastite employs a compression assembly principle using a novel form of toothed profile, which makes the seal. The connectors are supplied as one-piece components. To make a joint, all that's required is to insert the tube, and then push the collar along the connector body until it reaches a dead stop. This operation is performed by a simple handheld hydraulic tool, and takes a few seconds. The tool requires no skill to use, and assures users of right-first-time connections.
This assembly approach contrasts with the requirement to perform a 360 degree weld around the circumference of a tube, an operation requiring skill, consumables, expensive equipment, and up to 10 minutes of time. Or, the coning and threading of a tube end to prepare it for use in a special screw-together fitting, operations that again require skill, and time - in this case up to 30 minutes or more. For many applications, the quality of the weld is also tested by means of dye penetration, or x-ray inspection, adding further substantial costs to the installation process.
Inside Phastite connectors is a unique sealing system, based on a collar which slides along an angled body, in the process compressing a number of circular profiles into the tubing. At the end of the short travel is a vertical face which provides confirmation of correct assembly.
Phastite is much faster to assemble than welded and cone and thread fittings, but also deskills the process, removing a major element of industrial system building cost. The very high degree control over make up that the tooling automatically imposes also assures users of right-first-time assembly. This is not the case with welded and cone and thread fittings, where many users expect that there will a certain degree of rework. When used to replace a welded fitting, the Phastite connector also eliminates any need for a 'hot work permit', another major equipment building expense faced by many organisations.
The Phastite range includes straight union, union elbow, 'tee' and union cross connector shapes in imperial and metric sizes. There is also a range of termination connectors that provide a link between the equipment's fixed, permanent tubing, and any element that needs to be disconnected or maintained.
