Good connections VULKAN

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.

The 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

multispindle production machines. Due to Lokring’s focus on developing new technology, the Vulkan division has also invested in new test equipment and is currently conducting research into the properties of CO2 with regards to its use as a cooling agent.

Another Vulkan Lokring innovation is the Loktracer, a leak detector designed to respond exclusively to hydrogen gas. This efficient device overcomes the difficulties of finding a small leak and makes it possible to quickly identify the exact location of a leakage in any environment, even if the pipes are behind walls or under floor tiles. It is also highly useful for the detection of leaks in air-conditioning systems of passenger cars and has become standard equipment in many BMW and Carrier workshops.

Vulkan Lokring’s latest visionary project is aluminium tube connectors which are pressure-resistant up to working pressures of 50 bar, in accord with today’s new high pressure refrigerants, and designed to offer a superior alternative tube connection method to installers of systems for the current standard copper tubes or aluminium tubes. Having recognised the superior qualities of aluminium, which is already a material commonly used in car air-conditioning, Vulkan is ready if, as expected, aluminium tubes become an industry standard within the coming decade. Aluminium tubes are significantly

Michael Frank, product manager

cheaper and up to 30 per cent lighter than their copper equivalent, making them costeffective, and, in combination with Lokring fittings, an ideal choice for plumbing far beyond the refrigeration sector.

Award-winning service

As a part of the Vulkan Group, Lokring adheres to the Vulkan code of conduct and is dedicated to ensuring good working conditions for its staff as well as care in the choice of supplier.

Protecting the environment forms part of this code of ethics and the company strives to exceed its legal requirements with regard to its ISO14001 certification. The Lokring product catalogue reflects this underlying principle of sustainability, as all products are made to last.

Vulkan Lokring is particularly proud of having recently been honoured with the BSH supplier award. BSH Bosch and Siemens Haushaltsgeräte GmbH award this prestigious prize to a supplier every year for outstanding achievements in the areas of quality, reliability and flexibility. Lokring takes pride in having been selected out of several hundred suppliers and is looking forward to continuing to provide an excellent service to an increasing number of clients all over the world. n