Soft seal cutting ring system

Danfoss Power Solutions has launched its WalringPlus soft seal cutting ring system. Optimised for thin-wall tube, the WalringPlus system enables easy, safe, and repeatable assembly of hydraulic tubing as well as reliable, leak-free operation.

The WalringPlus system is engineered to address the common causes of leaks that can result in costly damage and downtime. Soft sealing prevents leakage due to scratches in the tube or studs, fluid temperature fluctuation, and reduced retention force. Compared to other soft seal cutting ring systems, the WalringPlus system offers improved leak prevention through a unique two-edge design that provides two additional O-rings and integrates the O-ring within the cutting ring to avoid separate assembly of the seal. The system also eliminates the need to insert additional sleeves that increase costs and reduce flow rates. 

The WalringPlus system prevents excessive or insufficient tightening. A clear block-stop function provides a tangible torque increase when an operator reaches the end of an assembly, so no torque or distance measurement is required. In addition, a significantly lower force is needed to pull the cutting ring over the tube, making assembly easier, faster, and safer, while reducing the risk of damage to the soft seal. Problems due to low assembly torque can also be identified before the cutting ring is pulled from the tube, reducing the risk of failure in operation. The O-ring groove position enables frequent reassembly with no impact on performance.

“Thin-walled tubing with higher mechanical strength is growing in popularity for hydraulic applications, particularly in compact, lightweight equipment,” said Christian Kuenstel, global product management leader, Connectors, Danfoss Power Solutions. “Used in combination with thin-wall tube, WalringPlus can help reduce the weight, and therefore the fuel consumption, of machinery. With the system’s innovative features supporting safe assembly and reliable performance, WalringPlus is a win-win.”

The Waltech M-R7 machine can further reduce assembly time and effort as well as the risk of leaks. By automating the process of cutting ring assembly and tube forming, the M-R7 machine helps ensure optimum system performance while reducing the required torque and rotation.

WalringPlus is designed for hydraulic tube fitting applications in industries such as agriculture, construction, commercial vehicles, discrete manufacturing, rail transport, and more. The system is ISO 8434-1 compliant and can be used for tube sizes ranging from 6 to 42 millimetres. It offers a working pressure of up to 800 bar.