Hydraulics & Pneumatics: Quick disconnect fittings (QDs), also known as quick connects or quick-release couplings, reduce downtime during accessory or equipment changeovers, simplify and speed up servicing, reduce leaks and simplify diagnostics. They do not require tools for assembly or disassembly like hydraulic line connectors. And they come in many different types and are used throughout a broad range of industries.
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I really enjoy reading about these topics because it reminds me how much engineering and design goes into some of the simplest parts of a machine. In our pneumatic world, we often don't consider what happens at our connections as long as they don't leak and can come apart easily. But what if, as the article notes, you didn't want to spill that oh so lovely hydraulic fluid all over the place? Are you willing to sacrifice a little drippage for costs? How often do these connections need to be broken? All of these are questions that should be asked and have very important consequences down the line. Again, in our pneumatic world, the simple snap-type connectors work just fine since if it is disconnected under load we just get a loud 'whoosh'. Something like a double shut-off quick-disconnect could be extremely useful if we had a pressurized water system on stage for something like a sink or rain. Finally, if we design a hydraulic system (god forbid), I don't think we would use anything except dry-break connectors. It just goes to show how deep the rabbit hole can go!
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