Cam and groove configurations have been a fixture in the industrial connections marketplace for decades. In the last several years the industry has rapidly evolved by leveraging new technologies that help mitigate risk and provide better functionality. In the chemical hose fittings market, it can be difficult to understand which type of fitting configuration style may work best for your application need. 

Standard fittings were initially designed to provide a simple but tight seal between a female coupler and gasket with a similar sized male adaptor. The nature of this design allowed these systems to be easily connected, disconnected, and reconnected as needed. In the industrial chemical transfer hose industry this trait became increasingly valuable as applications call for a system that can provide regular connections and disconnections in order to clean, test, change, or replace a hose. 

Since these configurations require both a tight seal and easy connect/disconnect functionality an additional control became needed to avoid accidental disconnection. Especially in cases where the chemical being transported is of high value or potentially hazardous in the case of accidental spillage, it became imperative to add a feature that controlled for accidental disconnection in cases of snagging, handling, dragging, vibration, accidental contact, or rugged use. From this realization self-locking camlocks were engineered to create an additional locking control for chemical transfer systems. 

How Locking Chemical Hose Assemblies Work.

The hose tube and construction are fabricated and fully crimped with locking cam and groove configurations. To make a connection, slide the adapter into the coupler and with normal hand pressure, press the cam levers down. Make sure the rotating lever is flush with handle to ensure locking feature has been fully engaged. Once locked the system provides resistance to accidental disconnection. Rotating action helps keep the locking device free of debris. Designed for rugged use, protection of critical parts, and to withstand accidental contact during the course of industrial operation. To uncouple just lift cam arms and remove the adaptor. 

Keep mind cam and groove couplings should not be used for compressed air or steam service. Pressure ratings of the hose tube and fittings assume standard 70F-75F temperatures. For evaluating temperature derating consult with one of our specialists. 

Example Of Locking Hose Assembly Value: A diesel exhaust fluid transporter needs to replace their standard abrasion resistant hose with an orange modified XLPE chemical hose and an EPDM chemical hose cover. Due to the chemical make-up of the diesel exhaust fluid being transferred they require pressure testing and safety standards even though their application will use a pressure of no more than 50 PSI. As an additional safety measure, they consider using locking chemical hose assemblies by running out the following test case. 

Locking Hose Assembly Test Case 

Assuming an instance of accidental disconnection where a driver coming into the facility unknowingly knocks into a standard type C coupling, accidentally disengaging the connection how bad would the spill be if it goes unnoticed for 5 minutes?