GOOD CONNECTIONS For more than 35 years, VULKAN Lokring’s success has been founded on solder-free tube connection technology. Industry Europe talks to Michael Frank, a product manager at Vulkan Lokring.
T
he history of the Vulkan Group dates back to 1889, when Maschinenfabrik Louis Schwarz was founded. A merger with the Heinrich Behrend company resulted in the establishment of Vulkan AG. Still actively managed by the fourth generation of the Hackforth family, who are the sole owners to this day, the initially medium-sized business grew to the multinational corporation it is today. Vulkan has three divisions, Vulkan Drive Tech, Vulkan Couplings and Vulkan Lokring. Vulkan’s Couplings division focuses on the manufacture of flexible couplings, dampers, mounts and drive line components, while the Drive Tech business line is concerned with the development and production of mechanical power transmission systems. As the market leader in coupling and transmission components, Vulkan supplies technology for a variety of industries ranging from mining to the agricultural engineering sector. The company is particularly well-established in the shipping industry and has a branch in every major harbour.
The Lokring division Vulkan Lokring’s history began in 1978 when the Hackforth family purchased the patent for their superior weld and solder-free tube connections. Initially invented in the 1960s to
provide strong fuel pipe connections following tragic accidents in the Apollo space programme, this new type of connection proved leak-resistant and of remarkable durability and is still widely used within the aviation industry. Today, Vulkan Lokring’s tube and hose fittings are primarily used for refrigeration systems in household appliances and white goods such as refrigerators and freezers. Other applications include commercial cooling systems and air conditioning systems, also in vehicles. Lokring currently has production facilities in Herne (Germany), Florida, Brazil and India and is planning to open a new manufacturing plant in China soon to complement and supply its direct sales operations in nearly 20 countries and with independent representation in a mere 30 countries, with more than 1.5 billion LOKRINGS in use only within the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
Lokring and Lokclip Vulkan’s two types of tube and hose connection fittings, Lokring and Lokclip, have revolutionised the world of refrigeration by combining durability and reliability with ease of use. Preferred by many large-scale OEMs such as Bosch, Samsung, LG, Electrolux, Whirlpool and Indesit, the Lokring Single Ring can serve as a tube connection for a variety
of materials such as copper, brass, steel or aluminium. The Lokring fittings have numerous advantages in addition to their strength. They can be used for quick and easy repairs or installations, which makes them an ideal part for commercial refrigeration units. Any leakages can be fixed on site during opening times without causing disruption to the business, saving time and money. Vulkan’s Lokclip hose connection benefits from the same advantages and can be used to repair air-conditioning systems, for example in automobiles, trains and busses. A money-saving alternative to more traditional tube and hose connections, the Lokclip fitting can be assembled in a simple five step process utilising Lokring’s assembly tool, the Loktool. Thanks to the efficiency and quality of Lokring products, the brand enjoys international presence and is currently available in all parts of the world, including Europe, USA, Korea, China and Brazil.
Driving innovation In a constant effort to drive innovation, Vulkan Lokring has been making substantial investments with regard to its research and development as well as production technology. Continuing its steady growth, the company has recently invested in personnel and in new
