Proper mounting, connection, and maintenance guidelines for Begapunk rotary joints and rotary unions. Follow these steps to ensure long, leak-free operation.
Use flexible connections. Begapunk rotary joints must always be installed using flexible hose connections. To avoid damage to the bearings, the union needs to find its center during operation. Never hard-pipe either the shaft or the housing.
Pre-assemble in a vise. Hold the housing of the union in a vise and install the flexible connection before mounting the union to the machine. This prevents twisting during installation.
Clean and seal threads. Clean female threads and the face of the shaft prior to installation. Use PTFE (Teflon) pipe tape or pipe sealant on NPT threads. NPT threads should be hand-tight plus 1–3 turns to seal. For parallel threads, use appropriate gaskets or O-rings.
Allow free movement. There should be a slight, kink-free curve in the hose when installed. It is essential that the housing or shaft is allowed to float to compensate for any eccentricity or misalignment.
In many applications, the flexible hose connections themselves provide sufficient anti-rotation. For other installations, an external anti-rotation device is required — such as a fork around the fittings, pin, yoke, or bracket.
Anti-rotation devices must "float." They should prevent rotation of the stationary side but must not rigidly lock the union in place. The device must allow the union to self-center during operation.
To prevent scoring damage to the shaft and seal faces, Begapunk requires fluid filtration to 25 microns or finer for general applications, and 10 microns or finer for high-speed or precision unions.
Contaminants larger than the seal gap will embed in the seal material and grind grooves into the shaft face. This damage is irreversible and will cause progressive leakage.
If your Begapunk rotary joint is equipped with grease fittings (typically on the bearing housing):
Monthly: Visual inspection for leaks, hose condition, and anti-rotation clearance.
Quarterly: Grease bearings (if fitted), check filter pressure differential, inspect seal faces for wear.
Annually: Replace seals if leakage exceeds acceptable limits. Contact Begapunk for OEM seal kits — third-party seals may have incorrect durometer or material.
Use flexible connections. Begapunk slip rings should always be installed using flexible lead wire routing. To avoid damage to the bearings, the slip ring needs to find its center during operation. Never hard-mount either the shaft or the housing.
Allow floating. It is essential that the housing or shaft is allowed to float to compensate for any eccentricity and/or misalignment in the machine.
For most slip ring applications, the lead wires should not be used as the anti-rotation method. Most slip rings require an external anti-rotation device such as a fork around the fittings, pin, yoke, or bracket.
Anti-rotation devices must "float" to prevent damage to the slip ring assembly.
When installing a combined slip ring and rotary union unit, follow the guidelines for both components: