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02 A white paper - Right Connections and Fittings for Manifolds Designing a customized integrated manifold for a medical or life science device presents engineers with the challenge of selecting from many different components. A key consideration in developing any new fluidic control system is the type of connections used to tie different components together in the wetted path. Over the years, many types of fittings have been developed to meet application specific needs. Customized Manifolds In Life Science applications where manifold fluidics systems are incorporated, serviceability of the manifold is a critical requirement. Push-to-connect style fittings allow a technician or assembler to quickly make fluidic connections without the need for tools or additional hardware. These fittings use a collet to grasp the tubing, and have an internal O-ring to form a radial seal. Sliding the tube into the collet expands the O-ring against an internal wall of the fitting and the outer diameter of the tube. Generally, hard wall tubing, such Shore D 85-95 Nylon or Polyurethane tubing, is recommended with these types of fittings. Cartridge versions of these fittings intended for manifolds are readily available, and eliminate an additional leakage point between the fitting and manifold. For low pressure applications using a softer durometer tubing, traditional barbed fittings work well. These are typically available in single or multi barb configurations, and provide good sealing characteristics when the appropriate tubing is used. A variety of barb designs exist to enhance sealing and tube retention properties, and a hose clamp can be added to support higher pressures. High pressure lines typically will require a sturdier connection that compression fittings offer. These fittings consist of a compression nut, ferrule, and the main fitting body with a flared end. After sliding the ferrule over the tubing, the compression nut is slid on behind the ferrule and tightened, simultaneously clamping the ends of the ferrule around the tubing and expanding the center of the ferrule into the flared end of the fitting body. These fittings have excellent sealing characteristics, and can be used with metal tubing. Cartridge style push-to-connect fitting Compression fitting assembly Compression fitting components Push-to-connect fitting Hard wall tubing used with push-to-connect fittings Commonly Used Fittings