Pneumatic Packaging and Push Connect Fittings

One area of manufacturing that has seen the light and very quickly adapted to the new fitting technology is the packaging industry. They use primarily pneumatic power systems to move the components that package every day products like peanuts or dish soap.

Take packages of mixed nuts as an example. The packaging machines have hoppers or bins loaded with various nuts and candies. These are shaken or pneumatically pulled (like a vacuum) onto conveyor belts that then sort and weigh all of the different pieces and then dump them into packages that are the vacuum sealed and labeled for shipment to your local food store. All of the many functions of these machines are powered by fluid or air and all of the hoses are connected by push connect fittings!

All of the components; fittings included on these machines can be changed out or replaced very quickly and push to connect fittings come in stainless steel or approved food grade materials so they are the logical choice.

Even the machines that simply wrap meats, toys, or parts use fluid power systems; and push connect fittings. The only time you start to see a more hydraulic based machine is when pressures rise above about 7 bar or 100 PSI. At that point fluid power (fluid only) dominates because it can reach ridiculousness pressures and lift or move massive weights at good speed. Hydraulic only equipment tend to use very few push connect fittings due to the pressures and sizes. At that point it really depends on the seal desired, thread patterns desired, and application environment or level of pressures needed.

Another industry that utilizes push connect fittings is the lubrication machines in automobile repair, truck repair, and machine repair bays. The usually have a quick connect hose that can be changed out if clogged or damaged. This saves time and money for the business that uses the push to connect fittings because they are reusable with another hose and changing the fittings only takes a seconds and takes no special skill or tools. Down time for business that utilize these amazing fittings is usually at a minimum; therefore profits are higher. This helps off set the higher than average price of the push connect fitting.