• IMS has chosen to standardize on the terms coupler for the female connector, and plug for the male connector.

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• Each connector has two ends:

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  • The end that connects to the corresponding coupler or plug

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  • The end that is either barbed for direct connection to a hose or threaded for connection to a pipe or fitting.

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  • The barb can be either standard – requiring a hose clamp – or push-on. Push on barbs are designed to be used with special push-on hose without hose clamps. Push-on barbs are sharper, and push-on hose has a softer inner surface to let the barb bite more aggressively into the inside of the hose.

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  • Threads can be NPT, FPT or metric.

• Valved fittings allow flow only when they’re connected. They shut off all flow when disconnected.

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• Valved fittings are safer, but they significantly inhibit flow. For example if a mold needs 1/2" lines to regulate the temperature and you run 1/2" lines with valved couplings the flow channel is closer to 3/8". Many molding problems can be fixed by switching to non-valved fittings or larger valved fittings.

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• If neither connector is valved, the mold is free to drain back through the fitting, and fluid could be sprayed on people or equipment if the connection is disconnected while the pump is running (or if the pump starts up.)

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• A valved coupler and a non-valved plug forms a one-way valve. It would stop flow from the pump to the mold, but would allow the mold to drain.

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• Two valved connectors form a two-way valve – where the fluid does not drain back from the mold, and flow is stopped from the pump.

• Externally locking in which a notch in the slider on the coupler must be lined up to disconnect. This is the traditional locking fitting. The only problem with this is that a worker can still disconnect the line while it is pressurized.

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• Internally locking, which will not let the coupler be disconnected if the line is pressurized. The disadvantage, although small, is that the system must be set up with a bleed point to drop the pressure of the system down. This makes it impossible for workers to disconnect the fittings, accidentally or deliberately, without first draining the system making the work place safer.

"A"= Male Adapter x FPT
"B"= Female Coupler x NPT
"C"= Female Coupler x Hose Shank
"D"=Female Coupler x FPT
"E"=Male Adapter x Hose Shank
"F"=Male Adapter x NPT
"DP"= Dust Plug
"DC"=Dust Cap
"FC"=Male Adapter x Compression
"BC"=Female Coupler x Compression

• Always make sure that both locking handles and pins (if not auto-locking, which IMS also carries) are in working order before using the fitting.

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• Cam and Groove fittings can be used to convey liquids or solids, but NEVER use them for compressed air or steam.

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• Never drag Cam and Groove fittings around because it wears on the sides of the fittings and can warp them. Most manufacturers have taken into account that the fittings get dragged around and put an extra ridge of material to take this wear before affecting the fittings.

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• Use dust caps and dust plugs to protect from leaks and, more importantly, product contamination. The minor expense of these items are quickly outweighed by cost of cross-contamination or clean-up from spills.

• Hose Barbs (hose shanks) should be inserted completely into the hose, NEVER use a larger fitting with a smaller hose.

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• Steam lines should ALWAYS use valved connectors to avoid accidents. Steam is a minimum 212ºF.

• Air guns; do not build your own. Not only are they not safe, but they are not OSHA compliant.

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• If using multiple hose clamps the main bodies should not be placed in a row because this alignment can cause leakage.

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• Gaskets should be inspected prior to fitting use to verify that there are no cuts, tears or crimped edges to allow leaks.

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• Worm gears bands are notoriously sharp and should be used only in static applications. Nylon hose straps are a good option for hand-held hoses to avoid employee injury.

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• Use Locking Clips to avoid accidental disconnection.

• Hoses can be damaged internally by sharp bends directly after the barb (hose shank) inside the hose. Try to make bends a foot or more from the end of the barb to reduce stress on the hose.

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• Hose jacketing is also designed to reinforce the inner workings of the hose. Once this jacketing is compromised the hose will fail, even if not leaking yet. Split hoses should be replaced immediately and NEVER wrapped with tape because all this does is mask the damage to the hose.

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• Marking of hoses is becoming more prominent; different colors are being used for oil, hot water, cold water and anti-freeze.

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• Splices and Repairs using a piece of pipe and clamps are not safe. An addition unseen affect is restriction to the flow of material through the hose by an unknown amount, which can lead to disaster. Let’s say you are using a 1/2" ID hose to cool your mold, but the pipe restricts that down to 3/8" ID you will not get the desired effect that you once had.

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• Steam is a minimum temperature of 212ºF; use hoses and connectors certified to transport steam. Steam lines carry a 10 to 1 safety factor because it is considered one of the most dangerous items transported via hoses.

1-Way Shut-off: one half of the coupler is valved, usually the coupler, to prevent flow from one direction.

2-Way Shut-off: valves on both halves of the fitting, used to prevent any spillage.

Aluminum: A common material of choice because of its low cost

Barb, Standard: Hose connector used with a crimping fitting

Barb, Push-on: Hose connector used with push-on hose that does not need a crimp fitting or can be used in standard hose with a crimp fitting

Ball Valve: A valve that seals when a ball (internally) is rotated 90º. Also see Gate Valve.

Bend Radius: The radius, in inches, of a circle that a hose can make and still work without fear of kinking or damage.

Brass: One of the most common materials used for fittings; Brass is self-lubricating, resists corrosion and absorbs shock well.

Coupling: A pair of fittings (one male and one female) that join together to form a union to connect two things together.

Coupler: Female half of the fitting which male (plug) locks into.

Double valved: see 2-way shut-off

Dust Cap: Cam and Grove fitting the fits over a male adapter to block line

Dust Plug: Cam and Groove fitting that fits inside a coupler to block line

Gate Valve: A valve that lowers a block (internally) through the pipe to stop flow. This is the old style of valve being phased out due to failures in the seal (the seat that stops flow) or packing (material that stops leaks from around stem) failure. Almost all valves are changing to ball valves.

FPT: See Female NPT

Female NPT: Female National Pipe Thread

Handles: Locking clips on Cam and Groove fittings

Hose Jacket(ing): The outer cover that reinforces and protects the inner workings of the hose.

Hose Shank: Adapter to attach Cam and Groove fittings to hose

Locking, External: Coupler locks by rotating the slide

Locking, Internal: Coupler locks under pressure and will not release until line is depressurized.

Locking Pin: Pins used to hold handles in place on Cam and Groove fittings

Locking Clip: Clip installed behind slider to lock standard QD’s closed. Clip needs to be manually removed before fitting will disengage.

Male Adapter: Half of Cam and Groove that inserts into the coupler (also see Plug)

Mold Connector: See Coupling

Mold Disconnect: See Coupling

Nipple: See Plug

Non-valved: No internal mechanism to stem the flow of material

NPT: Male National Pipe Thread

Plug: Male half of the fitting which locks into the female (coupler) half.

Push-on Barb: A barbed fitting that does not need a clamp if used with push on hose

Push-to-connect Fittings: A quick disconnect fitting for smaller tubing. Press the hose into the fitting to lock it. Slide the ring and pull the hose to disconnect. A.k.a. Robot Fittings.

Quick Disconnect: See Coupling

Quick Change: See Coupling

Robot Fitting: see push-to-connect

SAE Thread: Non-tapering threads

Safety: The hose burst pressure relative divided by the working pressure. Water hoses use a safety factor of 5 – meaning the burst pressure is 5 times the working pressure. Steam hose uses 10 to 1.

Series: Denotes which fittings will work in unison. Different series fittings will not work together.

Series-ARO 210: used for air

Series-20/30: used for air mostly, some water

Series-200,300 and 500: used mostly for water and anti-freeze

Series-60: used for oil

Series-ST: used for high-flow water

Standard Barb: One that needs a clamp to secure it within the hose

Stainless Steel: A less common fitting because of cost, but needed when sterilization must be maintained.

Steel: One material used to make fittings, used because of its wear resistance and ability to resist high heat.

Stop Plug: Fitting, installed in coupler, that caps the line if it is not valved.

Valved: Internal mechanism to stem the flow of material when disconnected

Waterline Extension Plug: A series 200/300/500 plug (male) that come in various NPT sizes allowing quick disconnects to be connected to recessions.