Why Traditional Cone & Thread Fitting Installation is 5x Slower Than Modern Alternative

In many critical oil and gas applications, mechanical grip medium-pressure fittings like Swagelok's FK Series offer better value than traditional cone and thread fittings. One reason is installation speed. See for yourself with a side-by-side comparison.

The typical industrial facility has thousands of fittings, and, especially in critical oil and gas applications, a portion of them are likely cone and thread fittings. When it's time to replace these fittings, consider Swagelok FK Series tube fittings. Their innovative design makes them 5x faster to install and lower cost to maintain in years to come.

A Swagelok video directly compares the steps and time to install each type of fitting:

Watch installation of each type of fitting side by side.

FK series fittings can be installed faster than cone and thread fittings, for two main reasons:

Easier joining

To ensure a seamless and secure installation, cone and thread fittings require careful coning and threading using specialized tools. It is essential to avoid any burrs, gouges, or scratches during this process. After preparing the tubes, a collar is threaded onto the tubing, and a gland nut is inserted into the fitting body to securely hold everything in place.

FK Series fittings are installed by threading a preassembled cartridge (which includes a nut, two ferrules, and a plastic arbor) onto the fitting body. The tubing is then inserted and marked to establish alignment, and a single 360-degree turn completes the connection. Once checked with a gap inspection gauge to ensure a tight fit, the fitting is complete and ready for use.

The simple two-piece design of the Swagelok medium pressure tube fittings and adapters consists of a female fitting body and preassembled cartridge containing the male nut and color-coded front and back ferrules on a disposable plastic arbor.

Fewer tools

To install cone and thread fittings, specialized tools and materials such as coning and threading tools, as well as cutting lubricant, are necessary. The addition of the cutting lubricant helps reduce friction during the cutting process and ensures a proper installation.

In FK Series fittings, the preassembled cartridge ensures installers have the correct ferrule orientation, visual confirmation of ferrule presence, and proper installation into the female body. Components are released only after the nut is threaded finger-tight into the fitting body.

In contrast, FK series fittings are installed with everyday tools such as a wrench and vise. No need for specialized equipment or materials.

Field Advisory Services

Swagelok Edmonton Field Advisors are glad to help evaluate current fluid systems, and can work with you virtually or visit onsite. Our goal is to provide options for enhancing efficiency, reducing operating costs, and supporting safety and emissions goals. We can check for compressed gas leaks, assess analytical instrumentation, examine grab sampling systems, and much more. Click through for Advisor bios, program information, and more.

Also see:

• Expert Swagelok Field Advisors Optimize Customer Fluid Systems
• What to Expect When a Swagelok Field Advisor Visits
• Strength and Simplicity: Medium Pressure Fittings