At Flexible Connections Ltd, we design and manufacture bespoke fabric flexible connectors to suit a wide range of industrial applications. Every connector is produced to your drawing or dimensional requirements, ensuring a precise fit, dependable performance and long service life.
Whether you require a simple stitched sleeve, a convoluted fabric bellows, a fan flexible connector, an industrial filter bag or a fully bespoke sewn fabric assembly, every product is manufactured in-house using carefully selected materials suited to its operating environment.
Our fabric flexible connectors are widely used across industries such as food, pharmaceutical, chemical, recycling, plastics, packaging, and general manufacturing, providing tailored solutions for dust extraction, pneumatic conveying, bulk handling, ventilation, and machinery connections.
Unlike standard off-the-shelf products, every connector is manufactured specifically for your equipment. This allows us to accommodate unusual dimensions, different connection shapes, movement requirements, fixing arrangements and demanding operating conditions.
Fabric flexible connectors provide a flexible connection between two pieces of equipment while allowing movement, vibration isolation and thermal expansion.
They are commonly installed between machinery, ducting, pipework and processing equipment where a rigid connection may be subjected to stress, fatigue or premature failure.
Unlike rigid pipework or solid ducting, a fabric connector can accommodate movement caused by machinery vibration, pressure fluctuations, thermal expansion and minor installation misalignment. This reduces the transmission of vibration and helps minimise stress on adjoining equipment, supporting improved reliability and longer service life.
Fabric connectors can also help prevent dust and material escaping from transfer points, depending on the construction, fabric and fixing arrangement selected.
Because every application is different, our connectors can be manufactured in a wide variety of configurations, including:
Every product is designed around your equipment rather than requiring your equipment to suit a standard connector.
Every fabric connector is manufactured to order, allowing us to produce a product that accurately matches your installation and operating conditions.
When recommending a design and material, we can consider factors including:
We manufacture fabric flexible connectors in virtually any practical size or configuration, including:
Where space is restricted, or connections are not directly aligned, we can manufacture offset, angled, and transition connectors to suit the available installation.
Our experienced in-house sewing department works with a wide range of industrial and technical fabrics, including:
Material selection is based on the application’s temperature, flexibility, abrasion resistance, chemical compatibility, product contact and regulatory requirements.
For applications involving food ingredients or pharmaceutical products, suitable FDA-compliant materials can be offered. Where static dissipation is required in a potentially explosive atmosphere, ATEX-rated fabric options may also be available.
Our fabric flexible connectors can be manufactured with a variety of end finishes to suit the equipment and installation method.
Options include:
We can also supply suitable worm-drive clips, clamps and associated fixing accessories where required.
Fabric sleeves provide a simple and effective method of connecting equipment where flexibility, movement or easy installation is required.
At Flexible Connections Ltd, we manufacture bespoke fabric sleeves to suit virtually any diameter, length or configuration. Every sleeve is made to the dimensions of your equipment, helping to provide an accurate fit and reliable connection.
Our fabric sleeves are commonly used on loading chutes, dust extraction systems, flexible ducting, pneumatic conveying lines and powder transfer equipment. In these applications, movement, vibration or the need for regular maintenance can make a rigid connection unsuitable.
Fabric sleeves can help accommodate vibration and minor misalignment while reducing stress on adjoining equipment. Depending on the application and material selected, they can also help contain dust, powders and other conveyed products at transfer points.
Each sleeve can be manufactured as a:
A range of end finishes is available, including cuffed ends, elasticated openings, drawstrings, reinforced hems and flanged connections. These allow the sleeve to be secured using clips, clamps or bolted flanges.
Material selection is tailored to the operating environment. Options range from lightweight nylon and heavy-duty canvas to polyurethane-coated fabrics, FDA-compliant materials, PTFE-coated fabrics and ATEX-rated fabrics.
Whether your application involves food ingredients, fine dust, abrasive powders or general industrial ventilation, we can recommend a suitable material and construction.
Typical applications include:
Fabric bellows and convoluted gaiters are designed to protect moving mechanical components while allowing them to travel freely throughout their operating cycle.
They are commonly used to prevent dust, dirt, moisture and debris from reaching sensitive components. Protecting these areas can help reduce wear, limit contamination and extend the service life of machinery.
Our stitched fabric bellows and gaiters are commonly used to protect:
The convoluted construction allows the bellows to compress and extend repeatedly while maintaining coverage over the component being protected.
The number, depth and size of the convolutions can be designed around the required open length, closed length and outside dimensions. This allows the finished bellows to provide the necessary movement within the space available.
Each fabric bellows is manufactured to suit the operating travel, environment and fixing arrangement. End options can include:
A range of fabrics is available to suit different requirements, including lightweight materials for precision machinery and heavier coated fabrics for demanding industrial environments.
Whether the application involves protecting a precision linear guide or a heavy-duty hydraulic ram, every fabric gaiter is made to the required dimensions and movement.
Fan flexible connectors provide vibration isolation between fans, blowers, air handling units and connected ducting systems.
They are normally installed between a fan inlet or outlet and fixed ductwork. Their flexible construction helps reduce the transmission of vibration and noise into surrounding ducting, supporting structures and adjoining equipment.
Fan connectors can also accommodate minor installation misalignment, movement and thermal expansion. This can reduce stress on fan housings, ducting joints and supporting structures.
Our fan flexible connectors are commonly used in:
Each connector is manufactured to suit the size, shape and operating environment of the installation. We produce circular, square and rectangular connectors, along with tapered, offset and bespoke flanged assemblies.
Depending on the application, the connector can be manufactured with sewn or reinforced edges, cuffed ends or flanged fixing arrangements.
A range of industrial fabrics is available to suit different temperatures, airflow conditions and environmental requirements. For elevated temperatures, specialist high-temperature fabrics can be selected.
Whether you require a single replacement fan connector or repeat production quantities for original equipment, every product is manufactured in-house to ensure consistent dimensions and quality.
Our in-house sewing department manufactures bespoke industrial filter bags for dust collection, powder recovery and filtration applications.
Filter bags can be produced for existing filter cages, replacement installations or newly designed filtration equipment. Each bag is manufactured to the required dimensions, material and fixing arrangement.
Our available filter media include:
The appropriate filter material depends on factors including the type of dust or powder being filtered, operating temperature, particle size, airflow, chemical exposure and required filtration performance.
Filter bags can be manufactured with different top and bottom arrangements to suit the equipment. Options may include open tops, closed ends, sewn-in discs, flat-sewn ends and bespoke fixing methods.
Where an internal steel cage is used, the bag can be manufactured to fit around the cage while providing the required length, diameter and end construction.
Our bespoke industrial filter bags are suitable for applications including:
We can manufacture one-off replacement filter bags, prototype designs or production quantities for original equipment manufacturers, installers and end users.
Where an existing filter bag is available but no drawing exists, we may also be able to manufacture a replacement from the original sample.
Standard industrial fabrics are not suitable for every operating environment. Where elevated temperatures are present, a specialist high-temperature fabric flexible connector may be required to maintain flexibility while resisting heat-related deterioration.
At Flexible Connections Ltd, we manufacture bespoke high-temperature fabric connectors using technical materials selected to suit the operating temperature, airflow, pressure, movement and media being conveyed.
Available materials include silicone-coated glass cloth, PTFE-coated fabrics, Kevlar-reinforced materials and other specialist high-performance fabrics. The final material recommendation will depend on whether the temperature is continuous or intermittent, together with the movement and environmental conditions involved.
High-temperature fabric connectors can absorb vibration, thermal expansion and minor movement while providing a flexible link between equipment and adjoining ductwork.
They are commonly used on:
Every high-temperature connector is manufactured to your dimensional requirements and can be produced in circular, square, rectangular, tapered, conical, offset or fully bespoke configurations.
Fixing options include cuffed ends for clamping, sewn or reinforced edges and flanged connection arrangements. Where required, the connector can be designed to suit existing equipment or manufactured from a drawing or replacement sample.
Correct material selection is essential for high-temperature applications. Our team can review your operating temperature, required movement and installation details to help identify an appropriate fabric and construction.
Learn more about our High-Temperature Fabric Flexible Connectors →
Our fabric flexible connectors and sewn fabric products are used across a wide range of industrial sectors and processing applications.
Typical industries include:
Typical applications include:
As every application is different, the dimensions, material, construction and fixing method are selected to suit the equipment and operating conditions.
When you choose Flexible Connections Ltd, you are working directly with an experienced UK manufacturer specialising in bespoke flexible connection solutions.
Our fabric flexible connectors, sleeves, bellows and filter bags are manufactured in-house by our experienced sewing department.
Every product is made to order, allowing us to accommodate unusual sizes, shapes, offsets, transitions and fixing arrangements.
We can manufacture single replacement connectors and prototypes as well as regular repeat-production quantities.
We work with lightweight, heavy-duty, coated, FDA-compliant, ATEX-rated and high-temperature technical fabrics.
Products can be manufactured from your dimensional requirements, technical drawings or, where suitable, an existing sample.
We supply bespoke fabric connections to original equipment manufacturers, engineering companies, installers and end users.
Every finished product is inspected before leaving our premises to ensure it has been manufactured to the required dimensions and construction.
Provide us with your dimensions, drawing, photograph or existing sample, and our team will review your requirements and prepare a quotation.
A fabric flexible connector joins two pieces of equipment while allowing movement, vibration isolation and thermal expansion. It is commonly used between machinery, ducting and processing equipment where a rigid connection would be unsuitable.
They are used for applications including powder transfer, dust extraction, pneumatic conveying, flexible ducting, vibration isolation, loading chutes and machinery protection.
The information normally required includes:
A drawing, photograph or sketch can also help us understand the installation.
Yes. Where no drawing is available, we can often manufacture a replacement connector, bellows, sleeve or filter bag from an existing sample.
The sample should ideally represent the original required dimensions rather than being heavily stretched, damaged or distorted.
Yes. We regularly manufacture one-off replacement connectors and prototypes, as well as larger production quantities.
Yes. We offer a range of FDA-compliant fabrics and filter media for suitable food and pharmaceutical applications.
Please provide details of the product contact and operating conditions so that the material requirements can be reviewed.
ATEX-rated fabric options are available for suitable applications where static dissipation is required.
The responsible system designer should assess the complete installation and operating environment to ensure all components are appropriate for the intended ATEX zone.
The temperature capability depends entirely on the material selected and whether the exposure is continuous or intermittent.
We manufacture products for ambient industrial conditions through to specialist high-temperature applications. For elevated temperatures, visit our dedicated High-Temperature Fabric Flexible Connectors page or provide us with the application details.
Service life depends on the material, application, movement, abrasion, temperature, pressure and installation.
Selecting the correct fabric and ensuring the connector is not overstretched, compressed or subjected to excessive pressure will help maximise its service life.
Yes. We can supply worm-drive clips, clamps and other fixing accessories to complement suitable fabric sleeves and connectors.
Yes. We regularly manufacture square-to-round, rectangular-to-round, conical, tapered, offset and other bespoke transition connectors.
Yes. Fabric connectors can be manufactured with sewn-in or reinforced flanged arrangements to suit bolted ducting, fan units and processing equipment.
Yes. Provide us with details of the temperature, product, movement, dimensions, pressure and operating environment, and our team can help identify a suitable material and construction.
Looking for a bespoke fabric flexible connector, fabric sleeve, fan connector, fabric bellows, high-temperature connector or industrial filter bag?
Our experienced team can manufacture products from your drawings, dimensions or existing samples using a wide range of industrial and technical fabrics.
To help us prepare an accurate quotation, please provide as much of the following information as possible:
Whether you require a one-off replacement, a prototype for a new installation or regular production quantities, Flexible Connections Ltd can manufacture a solution tailored to your equipment.
Contact Flexible Connections Ltd today to discuss your requirements or request a quotation.
