10 ANALYTICAL AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
Features such as built-in shut-off valves automatically close the line to stop the fluid flow and prevent leakage while the line is disconnected. Conversely, quick connects can be equipped with open-flow valves that will allow a desired consistent flow, with little flow path impedance, to minimise disturbance to media and allow maximum flow rates – both critical considerations in a number of applications.
Many metal and plastic quick connects, however, are limited by their lack of ergonomics and ease of use, making them slow to understand how to operate, and difficult to manipulate. For example, determining how to execute the basic disconnection can sometimes present a significant challenge, creating safety risks and unnecessary inefficiencies while fumbling with connections. Tese drawbacks have inhibited quick connect usage by OEM designers, and reduced their effectiveness by frustrating end users and increasing the incidence of spillage and misconnects.
Streamlined human interface Te latest advances in plastic quick connects deliver a significantly improved level of human engineering, ease of use and operator intuitiveness, when compared to conventional metal and plastic quick connects. Tese new quick connectors are equipped with intuitively simplistic thumb latch and side latch mechanisms, for one-hand connection and disconnection, which make for easy handling in laboratory and industrial fluid management applications.
Dual Latch Quick Connect Interface – One of the newest and most versatile plastic quick connect solutions available for laboratory and industrial applications incorporates an intuitive dual latch push-to- connect design, utilising large, ergonomic buttons that provide an audible click on connection, and grips for easy handling, even with gloves.
Fig. 3. Plastic quick connects provide quick and easy connections and disconnections of tubing for servicing equipment, changing consumables and equipment portability.
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One new version of the efficient dual latch design, the MQC Series made by Value Plastics, which manufactures a wide range of standard and custom plastic quick connects and tubing connectors, also provides 10 different colour options, allowing for useful colour- coding verification techniques. Tese male and female connectors are made from nylon and buna-N materials, which are autoclavable, ethylene oxide (EtO) compatible and gamma radiation stable, and capable of a working pressure up to 30psi. Tey also provide excellent chemical
resistance and are great for higher temperature applications.
Te new dual latch design of quick connect maximises ease of handling and prevents misconnections.
Tumb Latch Quick Connect Interface – Te latest plastic quick connect thumb latch designs feature ergonomic grips and automatic shut-off valves for better connecting and disconnecting ease and optimum fluid control. Maximising convenience and versatility, one new design, from Value Plastics, universally interchanges with other thumb latch plastic connectors, and may be used with PVC, polyurethane, silicone and other types of flexible tubing.
Tese new thumb latch quick connectors, produced in acetal and polypropylene for a variety of application uses, are designed with single barbs capable of increased pull-off resistance when compared to multi-barb styles. Proven to provide a more secure seal and superior tubing retention, this design feature minimises the prospect of leaks and accidental disconnection.
Tese new features in plastic quick connects enhance operator ease of use, and expand the range of available options for the design of laboratory and industrial equipment by OEM designers.
Side Latch Quick Connect Interface – Significantly improving on the intuitive use aspect of quick connects, new plastic side latch designs achieve an almost instinctive ease of use. One design, also from Value Plastics, available in nylon and for use in small-bore applications in many fluid delivery areas, is particularly intuitive. Users automatically know how to operate the quick connect the minute they pick it up.
Tese plastic side latch quick
connectors are proving to be easy to use, safe, secure and reliable. Audible clicks on connection, ergonomic shape and design simplicity – all aspect of these connectors were engineered to cut down on the likelihood of human error.
Quarter Turn Lug Style Interface – A popular connector in instrumentation applications, this connector employs a rotating lug style latch mechanism with an audible click, and a visible indication when the pair is fully connected. Te interlocking teeth provide an inherently rugged connection, and the rotating collar allows for independent rotation to prevent tube twisting and kinking.
Te new BPL Series version of the connector line, by Value Plastics, offers significant ease- of-use advantages over present commercially available lug style connectors. Its ergonomic ten-point grip on both halves of the connector, and additional gripping area, allow for easier opening and closing of the connector, while two wings have been added to the male side to further facilitate connector operation. Tis connector offers a feature-rich quick connect.
Although plastic quick connects may not be applicable for all plant and laboratory uses – high pressure pneumatics and hydraulics where metal is generally required, for example, – their lightweight, design flexibility and ergonomics makes them suitable candidates for many applications, such as liquid transfer and filling processes, operating and integrating portable instrumentation, and where fluid connections between flexible equipment are required.
Riley Phipps is the technical and design services manager at Value Plastics Inc, a
Nordson Company, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
www.valueplastics.com
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