Stainless steel fittings from Eiseles INOXLINE: Preferred for use in filling machines
Foods nowadays have to fulfil requirements for both efficient production and ease of handling. That is why stand-up pouches are widely used, especially in the beverage and pet food industries. Modern pouch filling machines from a well-known German manufacturer enable the fast and efficient production of foods sold in these practical packages. To ensure a smooth-running production process, stainless steel push-in fittings from Eisele are used in the wet areas of the filling machines, where they have withstood the test of time especially due to their corrosion resistance and ease of handling.
The market leader for high-speed pouch filling machines develops and implements processing facilities and pouching machines that are used primarily in the food, beverage and pet food industries. These industries have extremely stringent hygiene standards, which necessitates efficient cleaning of the systems. The components used in the systems therefore have to withstand not only harsh production environments, but also chemical cleaners and splashing water. That also applies to the pneumatic fittings used in the wet areas of the filling machines: Even if these components do not come into direct contact with the products, they are used in processes with high requirements for hygiene and are subjected to rigorous cleaning procedures.
Hygienic and corrosion resistant
Among other things, this has consequences for the material used: Nickel-plated components provide sufficient protection against corrosion as long as the nickel coating remains undamaged. But they cannot withstand the environmental influences to which filling machines are exposed – which soon becomes evident in the occurrence of pitting corrosion. Stainless steel fittings are less sensitive in such environments, since they feature high resistance to corrosive influences, even without a coating. That is why the manufacturer chose stainless steel fittings from Series 17 of the Eisele INOXLINE. Made of stainless steel, they are designed for durability to withstand both a vacuum of -0.95 bar as well as pressures up to 16 bar for a long-lasting seal with no leaks. Wherever vibrations and tube movements occur in the production environment, the connections are supplemented by the use of threaded fittings with a union nut. This prevents uncontrolled release of the tube connection.
Due to their high-quality material and craftsmanship, Eisele stainless steel push-in fittings are the first choice for connecting pneumatic control lines in the wet areas of filling systems. Series 17 push-in fittings combine reliability and durability with optimal hygiene. The push-in fittings with a release sleeve and one seal from the German-based company, which are available in many versions, are manufactured from non-corrosive and acid-resistant stainless steel 1.4301/07 and are designed to meet very stringent requirements with respect to cleaning and corrosion resistance. A broad temperature range from -20 to +120 °C makes the push-in fittings quite versatile, and suitably designed fittings can even withstand temperatures from -50 to +200°C. Series 17 components allow the full flow rate inside the tube despite their compact design.
Ease of handling
The general purpose stainless steel fittings from Eisele enable very fast connecting and disconnecting of compressed air tubes without the use of tools. The screw-in end for mounting the push-in fitting on the machine or process valve is sealed with an enclosed O-ring. The tube only has to be pushed fully into the release sleeve of the push-in fitting. The patented collet inside the fitting holds the tube in its position for a lasting, reliable connection with no damage to the tube. Even in the case of frequent connecting and disconnecting – for maintenance purposes, for example – the patented collet prevents damage to the tube and ensures a tight seal at all times. All it takes to disconnect the tube is to press on the release sleeve.
This convenience of handling was also important to the manufacturer of pouch filling machines. In the past, push-in fittings from a different source were used, and the manufacturer was never quite satisfied: Insertion of the tube, for example, required considerable physical force – and releasing the tube was even more difficult for the most part. The reason for this is that the majority of fittings available on the market have no release sleeve, only a release ring. It has to be pressed with considerable force, which is not only manually difficult, but also bothersome in the long run. The use of tools, especially in the case of plastic release rings, can easily cause damage to the rings, which makes it even more difficult to release them. Not with Eisele fittings: The large release sleeve requires only little physical force, and enables convenient disconnecting of the tube even after an extended period. That is why the innovative components from Eisele are meanwhile preferred by the market leader – especially since they can be used without hesitation in filling machines, due to their corrosion-resistant stainless steel design.
