QuickFIT SnapConnect eliminates final-assembly tools and supports easier maintenance
Oetiker, a global provider of connecting solutions, will showcase its QuickFIT SnapConnect® flame-free connection system for HVAC&R applications at HARFKO 2026, to be held Oct. 21-23 at KINTEX Exhibition Center 1 in Goyang, South Korea.
The company will present the system as an alternative to traditional brazing and conventional press-fit technologies as HVAC&R manufacturers and contractors seek to improve installation safety, reduce labor requirements and simplify maintenance.
QuickFIT SnapConnect uses a two-step connection process combining precision tube end forming with tool-free final assembly. Oetiker's dedicated end-forming jaws create the required tube geometry while controlling critical dimensions needed to achieve proper sealing.
Once the tube end has been formed, the tube is inserted into the fitting and a polymer retainer is closed by hand to complete the connection. No additional tool is required at the final assembly stage, allowing technicians to make connections more easily in locations where access to equipment is limited.
The flame-free approach also removes the need for brazing during final connection, reducing risks associated with open-flame work at installation sites. The technology could be particularly relevant for HVAC&R applications where technicians frequently work in confined spaces or around equipment that makes conventional brazing difficult.
Maintenance was another consideration in the system's design. QuickFIT SnapConnect connections can be disconnected when equipment requires servicing or replacement, avoiding the need to cut out fittings during maintenance work. The reusable access to the connection can help reduce both service time and material replacement.
QuickFIT SnapConnect recently received certification from UL (Underwriters Laboratories), marking another step toward wider commercial application of the technology.
Oetiker said the combination of flame-free installation, simplified assembly and serviceability can help contractors and OEMs reduce installation time and labor costs while minimizing risks during field work. The company is targeting contractors, distributors, equipment manufacturers and end users across the HVAC&R industry.
The technology also reflects a broader shift in HVAC&R installation toward connection systems designed around productivity and serviceability rather than connection performance alone. As equipment becomes more complex and installation space more constrained, reducing the number of tools and processes required at the final connection point can become an important consideration for manufacturers and installers.
Founded in 1942 by Hans Oetiker, inventor of the ear clamp, Switzerland-based Oetiker Group has developed connecting technologies for more than 80 years. Its portfolio has expanded from clamps and rings to include straps, quick connectors, specialized installation tools and related services for multiple industrial applications.
"Our quick connector is a highly practical solution that addresses connection challenges in tight spaces while drastically reducing labor time," an Oetiker representative said. "Through HARFKO 2026, we look forward to demonstrating Oetiker's differentiated technology and value to customers in the Korean HVAC&R industry."
At HARFKO 2026, Oetiker plans to use QuickFIT SnapConnect to demonstrate how flame-free and tool-free connection technologies can simplify HVAC&R installation and maintenance while addressing growing industry demand for safer and more efficient field operations.
