Manufacturer Overview

John Guest GmbH is a global leader in manufacturing push-fit connectors, tubing, and related products for air and fluid applications. The company prioritizes high-quality production, continuous innovation, and strict quality control, adhering to standards such as BS 5750 Part I, ISO 9001, and EN 29001. Their products hold international certifications and are widely used by global companies.

Product Overview: Cartridge Systems

The John Guest Cartridge System provides a compact, cost-effective push-fit connection solution for integration into valves, control units, and distributor blocks. It eliminates threaded connections, reducing component size while ensuring easy tube retention with low insertion force and high pressure resistance. Cartridges are available in plastic, brass, or stainless steel and compatible with various housing materials.

Key Features

• Tool-free, quick installation
• Suitable for pneumatic and fluid applications
• Compatible with metal and plastic tubing
• Reusable connections without additional sealing materials
• Excellent flow characteristics
• Modular product range
• Compliant with DVGW W270 and KTW for drinking water

Plastic Cartridge (Short Version)

Designed for efficient push-fit connections in housing components, the plastic cartridge consists of a retention element (acetalcopolymer with stainless steel teeth), a food-grade O-ring (NBR or EPDM), and a system body of food-grade acetalcopolymer. Stainless steel teeth enhance retention under pressure. Suitable for fluid, beverage, and food industry applications.

Variants and Sizes

• Metric and imperial sizes from 4 mm to 22 mm outer diameter tubing
• Color-coded retention elements and bodies for easy identification
• Options with one or two O-rings for improved sealing
• Special Viton O-ring versions available

Installation and Performance

Features low insertion force and high pull-out strength, designed for repeated connections. Detailed borehole dimensions and tolerances ensure proper fit and sealing.

Metal Cartridge (Short and Long Versions)

Metal cartridges offer robust solutions for fluid and beverage technology, available in brass or stainless steel with standard or custom O-rings. Ideal for metal housings such as taps and distributors.

Features

• Simple, cost-effective tube retention
• Short and long versions for varied applications
• Color-coded retention elements
• Adhesive use (e.g., Loctite 601) recommended for enhanced retention in some cases

Sizes and Variants

• Metric sizes 4 mm to 22 mm OD
• Imperial sizes 5/32" to 5/8"
• Miniature cartridges for small tubing
• One or two O-ring options

Installation Notes

Delivered with pre-mounted O-rings and separate retention elements. Plastic cartridges are preferred for plastic housings. Detailed borehole dimensions and tolerances are provided.

Borehole and Installation Details

Comprehensive tables specify borehole dimensions, depths, and tolerances for both plastic and metal cartridges in metric and imperial sizes. Minimum wall thickness and spacing parameters ensure secure retention and sealing.

Assembly Procedures

Cartridges must be correctly positioned on assembly tools secured by rubber rings to prevent loss during installation. Tubing should be cut squarely. The system supports quick, tool-free assembly and disassembly for maintenance.

Quality and Compliance

Products comply with international standards for pneumatic and fluid applications, including certifications for drinking water use. Food-grade materials and O-rings ensure suitability for beverage and food industries.

Ordering and Packaging

Supplied in bulk packs (typically 1000 pieces, some sizes up to 5000). Color and material variants are identified by part number suffixes. Custom O-ring materials and configurations available on request.

Summary of Critical Information

• Compact, reliable push-fit connections without threaded fittings
• Plastic cartridges ideal for food and beverage due to food-grade materials
• Metal cartridges provide enhanced durability for industrial and pneumatic uses
• Multiple O-ring options for flexible sealing
• Strict adherence to borehole dimensions and tolerances required
• Assembly tools and procedures ensure secure installation
• Compliance with international quality and safety standards

Installation and Assembly Instructions

Ensure full pipe insertion to the stop. Cut metal pipes burr-free to protect O-rings. Use pipe support sleeves for soft or thin-walled pipes and water applications. Verify connection security by pulling the pipe after insertion. To disconnect, depress the retaining element and remove the pipe once pressure is relieved. Special assembly tools facilitate installation, ensuring cartridges are flush and secure. Internal surfaces must be clean and burr-free.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions in millimeters. Assembly forces range from 180N to 550N; retention forces from 450N to 1400N depending on size. Pipe tolerances are tight, requiring smooth surfaces without damage. Recommended pipe materials include polyethylene, nylon, polyurethane, brass, copper, and mild steel. Hard metals like stainless steel require consultation.

Operating Conditions

Temperature and pressure ratings vary by cartridge size and application. For example, 4 mm to 8 mm cartridges handle up to 16 bar at -20°C to +23°C, with reduced pressure at higher temperatures. Maximum pressure depends on housing material and wall thickness.

Material and Housing Recommendations

Plastic cartridges suit plastic or soft metal housings. Avoid surface treatments (anodizing, nickel, chrome plating) in boreholes as they increase hardness and impair sealing. Prevent lateral loads by using pipe clamps or supports.

Installation and System Testing

Clean and inspect all components before assembly. Pressure testing after assembly is mandatory. Use support sleeves inside pipes for water/liquid applications to maintain reliability.

Cleaning Recommendations

Avoid cleaning agents with pH below 4 or high chlorine content on acetal or polypropylene connectors. Flush thoroughly with water after cleaning to prevent chemical damage.

Warranty and Liability

Warranty covers manufacturing and material defects only. Users must verify suitability and proper installation. Claims require prompt notification. Warranty excludes damage from misuse, neglect, unauthorized modifications, or wear. Liability for consequential damages is limited. Warranty and liability transfer to system providers when products are integrated.

Terms and Conditions

Offers and deliveries follow John Guest GmbH's terms. Prices are net, ex-works, excluding VAT and shipping. Delivery dates require written agreement and depend on timely receipt of buyer documents. Force majeure may extend delivery or allow contract termination. Risk passes to buyer upon dispatch. Minor deviations are not defects. Buyers must inspect goods immediately and report defects within one week. Partial deliveries allowed within reason.

Product Development and Selection

John Guest reserves the right to change products without notice. Descriptions and dimensions are approximate. Users must test suitability for specific applications.

Conversion Table

Common pipe size conversions: 5/32" = 4.0 mm, 3/16" = 4.8 mm, 1/4" = 6.35 mm, 5/16" = 8.0 mm, 3/8" = 9.5 mm, 1/2" = 12.7 mm, 5/8" = 15.9 mm.

Retention of Title and Security Interests

Goods remain property of seller until all claims are settled. Seller holds securities which can be released if exceeding claims by 15%. Processing is on seller's behalf without obligation. Buyer holds goods free of charge and must protect them. Co-ownership transfers proportionally if goods are combined. Buyer authorized to process and sell goods unless in default. Claims from resale assigned to seller as security. Pledging or transferring reserved goods as security is prohibited. Buyer must notify seller of third-party access and bear related costs. Seller may reclaim goods after warning if contract breaches threaten value.

Payment Terms

Invoices payable within 30 days net or 14 days with 2% discount. Payments must be made directly to seller. Payments applied to oldest invoices unless specified. Discounts granted only if no overdue invoices. Default interest at 5% above base rate applies. Seller may demand immediate payment or return of goods on default. Prepayment or security may be required for undelivered goods. Payments considered made when funds fully available. Collection costs borne by buyer. Offsetting only allowed for undisputed claims. Retention rights excluded.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Information from orders is not confidential unless agreed in writing. Data stored per German Federal Data Protection Act.

Contract Validity and Governing Law

Invalid contract provisions do not affect remainder. Contract governed by German law excluding international sales laws. Exclusive jurisdiction is Bielefeld, Germany for merchants and public entities.

Company and Contact Information

John Guest International Limited operates globally with headquarters in Bielefeld, Germany. The company emphasizes ongoing R&D and reserves rights to change products without notice. Contact details for sales and technical support are provided. John Guest® and Speedfit® are registered trademarks.