Standard Pipe Connector

At Michel Tube, pipe connectors is the name given to all clamp connections with a sealing gasket used in the vacuum area, that is in suction (pneumatic) conveying. This is the most common type of connection in the plastics industry.

During installation, two clean and deburred tube ends are pushed halfway into the pipe connector. The two bolts are tightened in turn (crosswise); the flat gasket provides the seal. Through the grounding strip (Erdungsband), the electrical charge is conducted away and discharged.

The Standard Pipe Connector, with a gasket in the color option black (SW), is available in 16 different diameters (Ø 38.0 – Ø 114.3 mm).

The connector's real job: preventing false air

In pneumatic conveying the operation of the system depends on the vacuum. Air leaking in through a connection point — false air (Falschluft) — weakens the vacuum. Its effect is insidious: the line keeps running but the conveying capacity falls, and on long lines the material cannot reach the machine. The operator usually suspects the pump; whereas the problem is a small leak at one of dozens of connection points.

The step problem

If the two tube ends are not perfectly aligned, a step forms on the inner surface. The granulate strikes this step and loses speed; build-up and wear begin at that point. A good connector does not only seal, it also aligns the tubes axially.

When choosing

The standard connector is the most common solution in food-free applications at room temperature. If the temperature rises above 100 °C or there is food-contact production, the food and high temperature connector is preferred, and on lines where gasket life is critical the connector with seal protection.