Bellows and Flexible Metal Hose
ANCORP bellows and metal hoses are hydraulically formed vacuum fittings that connect two ports with flexible, accordion-like tubing. The hydraulic forming process produces consistent wall geometry and work-hardened corrugations that maintain structural integrity under vacuum while remaining compliant under load.
The flexibility introduced by the bends in the tubing allows for bellows and metal hoses to assist in correcting misaligned ports. The difference in bellows and metal hosing concerns their ability to correct over different lengths and degrees of bend.
The greatest distinction between bellows and metal hose concerns range of motion: bellows are designed for moderate deflection over a fixed length, while metal hoses offer greater flexibility and lateral travel across longer spans
ASA bellows are 4 to 8 inches in overall length and available for inner diameters from 1 to 6 inches. The offering is split into ASA Fixed Bellows and ASA Rotatable Bellows.
ConFlat Bellows and Flexible Hose
CF bellows and flexible metal hose serve UHV-compatible flexible connections within ConFlat-flanged systems, spanning inner diameters from 0.75 to 6 inches. Thin-wall bellows and medium-wall flexible hose are each terminated with one fixed and one rotatable CF flange for compatibility with standard CF bolt patterns.
KF bellows and metal hose are terminated in standard QF flange sizes QF16, QF25, QF40, and QF50 for integration into KF quick-flange systems.
The ISO offering covers ISO-K (ISO-LF) flange systems. Bellows are available in ISO-K sizes LF63 through LF160. Flexible metal hose is available across both flange styles, with wall thickness selection driving the appropriate product for the application.
Tube Ends Bellows and Flexible Hose
Tube end bellows are terminated with weldable tube ends rather than flanged connections, intended for integration directly into welded vacuum systems. Specified when the design calls for a flexible section between two weld joints, common in permanent installations where flange hardware is not used at the flex point.