Solve Your Fluid Power Challenges With Custom Couplings
Sometimes, applications require a unique solution to solve complex challenges. Whether it’s issues with chemical compatibility, durability, performance, or error-prone processes, our fluid transfer experts are here to help turn your ideas into reality.
Nobody knows your application as well as you do. Our engineers work to understand your challenges and use their fluid power expertise to collaborate with you on developing a solution.
All prototypes are precision manufactured on production machinery and rigorously tested to your specifications, helping you validate your custom quick coupling in the application and environment. Collecting data from these tests helps us ensure every element of the design meets your requirements. Internal testing at our ISO 9001:2015 Certified facility ensures the highest quality products before moving into production.
We pride ourselves on efficiency and putting customers first. You can count on receiving contact from our team within one business day. After the initial consultation, we provide you with a realistic lead time for your custom coupling prototype so you can plan for internal testing and design review.
Contact our technical team to discuss your application and start designing your custom couplings.
How It Works
Our Design & Manufacturing Process
Discovery & Consultation
Meet with our sales team to discuss your application and share any initial ideas about what you need in a custom coupling.
Technical Meeting
Our engineers and application specialists work to understand your challenges and begin troubleshooting possible solutions.
Initial Design & Quote
Based on conversations with the sales and technical teams, we produce a preliminary design and provide a quote.
Prototype & Testing
We produce a prototype for you to test internally and provide feedback on how it works in the intended application.
Production
We manufacture your customized valve in-house and provide support after receipt of your products.
Our Work
Turning Ideas Into Reality Across All Industries
We pride ourselves on finding solutions when a standard quick disconnect coupling just doesn’t cut it. We work with customers across various industries to design custom products for unique fluid transfer applications.
Whether you have engineered the design and need someone to put it into production, or you have a concept in mind and need someone to handle everything from design to manufacturing, we are here to help.
Agriculture
SafeWay quick couplings are used on farms around the globe – from tractors on family farms in Kansas to hydraulic hoses on commercial agricultural estates in South America, Europe, and beyond. We manufacture ISO standard custom quick connect couplers that meet ISO 7241-1 Series A and B, ISO 5675, and ISO 16028 dimensional requirements.
Fluid Handling
Contamination control is critical for fluid handling operations. Every part used in equipment must allow for easy cleaning and help prevent the transfer of dirt and foreign substances into the production line.
We manufacture couplings designed to maintain seal integrity and in styles that allow for easy sterilization and contamination prevention. You can count on receiving products that meet the highest quality standards.
Case Study
Color-Coded Anodizing Simplifies Multi-Line Systems
A leading manufacturer of high performance was experiencing issues with costly production line errors that resulted in cross-contaminated fluids. They needed a solution that ensured workers could quickly and easily distinguish among their fluid line’s many standard quick disconnects.
Our engineers created a new, color-coded (anodized) quick disconnect system that allowed production workers to separate fluids based on color. The system also helped prevent future fluid-transfer mistakes by incorporating male and female components that wouldn’t physically connect the wrong fluid lines.
This change helped the manufacturer eliminate costly product waste and time-consuming rework.
Construction
Hydraulic fluid transfer couplings are used in all types of construction equipment, from skid steers to drag lines and hand-held tools. Pneumatic tools such as nail guns, jackhammers, sandblasters, and paint sprayers also use quick couplings for air compressor connections.
We manufacture custom quick couplings with the rugged construction and safe non-spill operation required for demanding and harsh operating environments.
Case Study
Custom Zerk for Track Tensioning System
A leading excavation machinery manufacturer designed a single zerk hydraulic system to deliver and bleed grease used to set/adjust track tension on their equipment. The system required a reliable and durable mechanism to inject lubricant, and then reverse pressure to flush the used lubricant from the system and recharge.
The manufacturer turned to SafeWay for help designing a custom quick coupling. After close review and testing, our engineers identified and recommended two ways to improve durability and ensure leak-free performance: 1) Implement design and control features to minimize leak potential, and 2) Implement a dual hardening process to ensure reliable performance of the zerk system’s body.
The excavating machinery manufacturer implemented our recommendations, which led to the system’s successful production and use. To this day, the single zerk hydraulic system continues to exceed expectations for performance, durability and cost.
Industrial
The equipment used by manufacturing plants, energy companies and government entities often has specialized needs for mechanical components. SafeWay manufactures custom quick disconnect couplings with the rugged design and chemical compatibility required for industrial applications.
Case Study
Simplifying Multi-Line Connection Systems
A leading manufacturer of high-performance lubricants was experiencing issues with production workers making costly connection errors that cross-contaminated fluids.
They turned to SafeWay for a solution that would ensure workers could quickly and easily distinguish among the many standard quick disconnects along their fluid line.
Our engineers designed a new, color-coded (anodized) quick disconnect system that allowed production workers to separate fluids based on color. The system also helped prevent future fluid-transfer mistakes by incorporating male and female components that wouldn’t physically connect the wrong fluid lines.
The custom quick disconnect fluid-transfer solution allowed the manufacturer to eliminate costly product waste and time-consuming rework. Their production workers also benefited from a more comprehensive fluid-transfer process.
Power Generation
We custom manufacture fluid transfer couplings with a rugged, long-lasting design and materials that are compatible with heat, steam, chemicals and gasses. Our engineers specialize in tackling complex challenges and work with you to design and engineer concepts or manufacture custom products based on your design.
Data Centers & Telecommunications
Custom solutions are essential in the fast-paced data center and telecommunications industries. Our SafeWay products offer solutions you can’t find with other quick coupling manufacturers.
SafeWay’s custom quick connect couplers provide the high-quality dripless connections and user reliability needed for fluid transfer in cooling applications. We manufacture blind mate styles for server racks and thread to connect couplings in various materials and thread styles.
Case Study
Modular Electronics Equipment Cooling
A customer approached us because they needed a fluid transfer coupling for cooling within electronics enclosures. In this unique case, off-the-shelf couplers were too large and heavy for the confined space of their products.
Our engineers recommended reducing the coupler size and using aluminum for the body. With this approach, we designed a smaller and lighter custom quick connect coupler that operates closer to 300 PSI, versus the 3,000 PSI of typical couplers.
We also color-coded the two sets of dripless connectors for easy end-user identification when installing the system. By working closely with the customer, we were able to deliver the high-value, cost-saving solution they needed to keep electronics cool in a confined space.
Custom Coupling Solutions Are Our Specialty
American Made
All products are designed, engineered and manufactured at our Minnesota-based facilities.
Quality
Our facility is ISO 9001:2015 certified and we evaluate production at multiple points to ensure product quality and consistency.
Quick Route to Production
We understand that every project is different and work diligently to meet and exceed your critical production deadlines.
Diverse Capabilities
As a vertically integrated manufacturing company, we offer several value-add services to complete your project.
Partner With Us for Your Custom Quick Couplings
Our reputation as a trusted fluid power manufacturer comes from a long history of engineering expertise and a customer-first approach. Whether you have a design or want assistance developing a custom coupling to your specifications, our experts are here to help you design and scope your product.
Contact Information
Call Us
The Specialty Mfg. Co:
(651) 653-0599
New Ulm Precision Tool:
(507) 610-7770 or (800) 795-1229
SafeWay:
(651) 925-5620 or (800) 222-1169
Fax Us
General Fax: (651) 653-0989
HR Fax: (651) 925-5639
