Quick Connect versus Threaded Connection

• Posted on 22 November 2021
• By David Bokov
• 0

Goodway offers tools and flexible shafts with quick connect or threaded connection. Both types of connections have their own benefits and disadvantages, in this blog we will explain more about it.

Connection types of brushes and shafts

Goodway offers brushes and flexible shafts in quick connection or standard threaded connection versions. With these different types of couplings, we mean the connection that is made between the brush and flexible shaft. Quick connect is the latest development and is seen as the best way to connect brushes with shafts.

Combination of the tube cleaner and connection type

Goodway’s rotary tube cleaning portfolio consists of different types of base machines. Some systems, like the RAM-PRO and RAM-4, have a bidirectional foot switch, which allows the brush to rotate both sides (left and right). This is especially useful while cleaning commercial HVAC systems, such as Chillers and Condensers.

Other tube cleaning systems, which are made for tougher industrial settings, have a one way foot switch, like the AWT-100X and RAM-4X. Here, the brush or cleaning tool can only rotate clockwise. Examples of such industrial applications are Evaporators (food), industrial Heat Exchangers and production/vacuum pipes.

Expert advice

If a customer is using a bidirectional system, such as the RAM-PRO, we will always advice to use quick connect tools. If threaded tools are used and the operator accidentally rotates counter-clockwise, the brush can come loose in the tube. Removing the stuck brush can take some time which is not preferred. Furthermore: a dual, rotating brush increases the overal cleaning results and makes the job easier to perform.

If a customer is using a system with a one way foot switch they can choose whatever they prefer. Though it is common to use threaded tools. This is due to the fact that a threaded connection has a stronger fit than a quick connect connection. When combined with a high speed, industrial tube cleaning system such as the AWT-100X, the brush can reach speeds of up to 3000 RPM. A threaded connection will last much longer at these incredible speeds, while a quick connect connection can break easier under these circumstances.

Advantages of quick connect

Quick connect has some major advantages over threaded connection. Below, you can find a short summary of the most important benefits:

- Quick connect allows for bidirectional brush rotation, this will increase the cleaning result and make the cleaning less labor intensive.

- Quick connect is coupled much faster than a threaded connection. Sometimes up to 10x faster(!)

When to use threaded connection?

We, as Goodway Benelux, advice to use threaded connections only for the following criteria:

- If you are using an industrial tube cleaning system with a one way footpedal, such as the AWT-100X.

- When you are using an industrial tube cleaning system for cleaning of hard deposits in various types of tubes.

- If the tube inner diameter is smaller than 11 millimeter, or larger than 25 mm.

Summary

Which kind of connection type is better for you, is entirely dependant on the application that it is intended for. Most of the time we see that quick connect is used for commercial HVAC applications in various industries. Think of cleaning chillers in ships or buildings. For the tougher, industrial applications, where high speed and strong brushes have to be combined; a threaded connection would be a better choice.

If you cannot figure out what suits your application best, please contact our experts via the customer service page. We are happy to help!