Camlock FAQs

Reference Files:

Camlock Dimensions & Drawings

WHAT CERTIFICATION IS AVAILABLE FOR CAMLOCK FITTINGS?

Full DIN 3.1 certification is available, on our SS316 couplings. This type of certifications must be requested at the time of the order and will be subject to a special quotation and pricing. Certificate of Conformity can also be requested but must be stated prior to ordering our camlock fittings as standard. DIN 2.1.b certificates can also be supplied on request.

WHAT IS THE SPECIFICATION FOR SNAPLOCK CAMLOCK COUPLINGS?

Cam and groove couplings have traditionally been manufactured to the US Military specification MIL-C-27487. This specification covered the dimensions and machining tolerances, the materials, the closing torque, part numbers, pressure ratings, finish, inspection procedures and packing requirements of the product. Compliance to this specification ensured interchangeability of parts from different manufacturers.

Only parts manufactured for Defense Ministry applications normally complied in full with MIL-C-27487 in respect of stamping of part numbers, inspection, packaging and anodizing. Such products were ordered using the specific MS part numbers within MIL-C-27487. Parts supplied for commercial applications normally only complied with the material, dimensional and pressure parameters of the specification. It should also be noted that only some of the sizes and materials offered were covered by MIL-C-27487.

In recent years, many generic products have been produced which only loosely comply with the specification and where alternative materials, reduced wall thickness and less inspection are provided. This process helps to reduce the cost but it will also adversely affect the life of the product as well as its resistance to some media. In some cases, it can also endanger the operator and/or the environment.

The specification A-A-59326 has replaced MIL-C-27487, a cancellation notice being issued in 1998. The German DIN 2828 standard has been introduced in Europe and there is also a draft CEN standard for cam and groove couplings in existence. Products produced to DIN 2828 are interchangeable with those made to the original MIL-C-27487 but have differences in the hose tail design, thread, part number and other details.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR CAM & GROOVE COUPLINGS?

Snaplock metallic product from 3/4" to 4" in a range of basic configurations, designed to interchange with product manufactured to DIN 2828 or A-A-59326 (previously known as MIL-C-27487) Snaplock product as above but to DIN 2828.

For full details of the product types available, see the Snaplock pages within this site.

WHAT IS CAMLOCK PERMANENT MOLD CASTING?

The permanent mold casting process is the production of castings by pouring molten metal into permanent metal molds under gravity pressure. Castings produced in permanent molds have finer grain structure and better strength properties than those cast from similar alloys in sandcasting and diecasting. The castings have better dimensional uniformity and in addition, a smooth surface finish is achieved right out of the mold, therefore, eliminating some secondary polishing operations.

WHAT IS CAM & GROOVE INVESTMENT CASTING?

The investment casting process begins with the production of a wax pattern with the exact geometry of the finished casting. This pattern is usually made by injecting liquid wax or plastic into a metal die cavity. The ceramic-shell mold-making process starts by dipping the entire wax cluster into a fine ceramic slurry and then coating it with a fine ceramic sand. After the initial coating dries sufficiently, the cluster is dipped into progressively coarser grades of ceramic material. When the shell is between 3/16" and 5/8" thick, it is placed in a heated environment that melts the wax pattern gates, runners, and sprue. The remaining ceramic shell contains dimensionally precise cavities of the casting shape desired.

CAMLOCK FITTINGS WORKING PRESSURES MAX PSI (BAR)

These working pressures are given for ambient temperatures of 70\B0F, using Elastomeric seals. Higher temperatures and/or PTFE seals will reduce the pressure rating of the coupling. In the case of polypropylene, the maximum working temperature is 158\B0F(70\B0C) and at this temperature the working pressures below must be reduced by 40%.

Aluminum Cam and Groove Couplings are permanent mold cast which is a process that yields castings with a finer grain structure and better strength properties than those produced in sand casting and die casting.

Brass Cam and Groove Couplings are forged for 1/2“ to 3“ and sand cast for all other sizes.

316 Stainless Steel Cam and Groove Couplings are investment cast, also known as precision casting or lost wax process. SS316 is equivalent to DIN1.4404

Polypropylene Cam and Groove Couplings are manufactured from acid resistant 20% glass reinforced Polypropylene. Max temperature for Polypropylene is 160 degrees fahrenheit.

CAMLOCK MATERIAL AND SIZE AVAILABILITY

Camlocks that are typically stocked, are shown below in: RED

THREADS

All threaded fittings we offer are NPT (National Pipe Thread). Special thread types can be ordered upon request.

CAMLOCK GASKETS

Standard gaskets for metallic and polypropylene couplings are BUNA N (Nitrile)

Dependant on applications, various seals such as Buna, EPDM, Viton, Teflon Buna, Teflon Viton, Neoprene and other specialty materials. FEP/Silicon fully encapsulated is also available.

CAMLOCK HANDLES, RINGS & PINS

Stainless Steel Handles are standard on all Stainless Steel and Polypropylene couplings.

Aluminum camlocks may come with brass or mild steel plated handles.

Brass handles are fitted to Brass Cam lock fittings.

Finger Rings are zinc plated mild steel on all sizes of Aluminium, Brass and Polypropylene couplings. Stainless Steel Rings are used on all sizes of Stainless Steel Cam and Groove fittings.

304 Stainless Steel Pins are standard to all types of Cam lock Couplings.

304 Stainless Steel Pull Rings are standard on SS316 and Polypropylene Cam lock Couplings.

CAMLOCK FITTINGS APPLICATIONS

Connection to hoses, pipes, tanks, tubing that convey, vapors, powders and liquids including pellets, cooling water, food products, pharmaceuticals,fuels, dyes, chemicals, adhesives, cosmetics etc.