What Is a Bulkhead Fitting?
A bulkhead fitting is a tube fitting that mounts through a panel or enclosure and fastens securely on both sides. Its primary purpose is to create a sealed and reliable connection point between tubing and components that live inside and outside of a closed system.
Unlike standard inline fittings, bulkhead fittings are designed with:
- A panel-mounting feature (usually a threaded section and nut)
- Front- or rear-load orientation depending on design requirements
Bulkhead Fittings at Air Logic
Small systems demand big precision. Anytime fluid has to pass through a barrier or panel, Air Logic bulkhead fittings make it easy to create organized, reliable tube connections.
At Air Logic, we offer a range of plastic bulkhead fittings engineered for secure, leak-free tubing connections that mount cleanly through walls, panels, or other fixed surfaces in fluidic devices.
These fittings are designed to anchor and align tubing, not to seal against the wall itself — the fluid seal is formed at the tubing-to-barb interface. This design simplifies assembly, reduces sealing complexity, and maintains a professional, compact layout.
Air Logic bulkhead fittings are especially valuable in medical devices, analytical instruments, and consumer appliances — anywhere tight footprints, clean routing, and dependable tubing performance are critical.
Why Use Bulkhead Fittings?
- Clean, Leak-Free Pass-Throughs
Bulkhead fittings allow for clean access through a barrier without leakage or disturbing internal system layouts. This is especially useful in equipment housings where tubing must be routed externally or between compartments.
- Improved Serviceability
Because the tubing can be connected or removed from outside the enclosure, servicing becomes much easier. This helps when you need to replace tubing, test system pressure, or isolate fluid paths — without disassembling the device.
- Better System Integrity and Strain Relief
By anchoring tubing at the panel wall, bulkhead fittings reduce stress on internal components. They prevent kinking or sharp bends at pass-through points and support consistent flow and long-term durability.
- Organization & Presentation
In many applications today, the physical design is not only an aesthetic consideration, but can also have a role to play in the functionality of the device as well. Panel-mounted tubing connections keep layouts neat, accessible, and concise — improving both the usability and the appearance of the final assembly.
Why Engineers Choose Air Logic Bulkhead Fittings
Our bulkhead fittings are molded inhouse with high-performance plastics like Polypropylene(PP), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and Nylon (PA), with options to customize with even more materials. Whether your concerns focus more on chemical resistance, standard compliance, or a variety of requirements, there are multiple ways Air Logic fittings fit your application needs.
Key Benefits
- ✅ Included nut for secure enclosures
- ✅ Compact footprint for tight assemblies
- ✅ Chemically compatible materials
- ✅ Cost-effective pricing
- ✅ High Quality barbs for reliable tubing connections
- ✅ Available in a variety of barb pairings
- ✅ Lightweight structure
Common Use Cases for Air Logic Bulkhead Fittings
Whether you’re routing air lines in a medical diagnostic device or building a gas analyzer, our fittings help simplify your panel designs while improving performance and ease of assembly. Here are some common use cases for our bulkhead fittings.
Panel Mount Fittings
Best for: Organizing tubing and securing connections on control panels, manifolds, or instrument enclosures.
Panel mount fittings are designed for systems where the panel serves as a mechanical anchor, not a pressure boundary. They’re ideal for clean, accessible tubing layouts — such as in analytical instruments, laboratory setups, or compact OEM devices — where easy servicing and a professional appearance are key.
💡 Use panel mount fittings when you want the tubing to stay put, but the wall doesn’t need to hold pressure.
Pass-Through Fittings
Best for: Connecting tubing from both sides of a wall or bracket, which serves as a mechanical mount for the fitting.
Pass-through fittings are typically barbed on both ends and locked in place with a nut. They support tubing alignment, relieve strain, and keep fluid lines organized while maintaining open communication between system compartments. These are commonly used in low-pressure air or fluid routing inside enclosures, packaging equipment, and compact fluidic systems.
💡 Use pass-through fittings when you need a clean connection across a barrier, but no seal is required.
Cap-Mount Fittings
Best for: Portable or refillable systems where the connection is built into a removable lid or bottle cap.
Cap-mounted fittings are popular in chemical dispensing, dilution, and containerized systems. They allow quick connect/disconnect functionality and can be paired with dip tubes for drawing liquids directly from containers. This mounting style simplifies replacement, prevents spills, and supports closed transfer systems.
💡 Use cap-mount fittings with our filtered intake(link) for dip tube applications!
Ready to Integrate Bulkhead Fittings into Your System?
Browse our catalog of bulkhead fittings or reach out to our design support team if you need help choosing the right configuration for your application — we’re here to help find or create the right fitting for your project!