Air Filters, Air Regulators, and Lubricators
Air filters, air regulators, and lubricators are the components that protect and
service all the other components in an air system. By specifying the
correct air filters, air regulators, and lubricators, and properly maintaining
them,
the life of the other pneumatic components can be increased dramatically.
Air filters are used to protect the components of a pneumatic system. Standard
air filters contain an element rated to remove between 5 and 40 micron
particles. Air filters also remove some of the liquid-state water within the
air,
but they should not be used as an air dryer.
Coalescing filters are also available from most filter manufacturers. These
filters are rated down to 0.01 micron, and remove oil aerosols from the air.
Air regulators simply control air pressure.
Standard units typically can control the pressure within several psi.
Precision regulators are also available that keep the pressure within tighter
margins.
Lubricators provide point-of-use lubrication to the components of a Pneumatic
system.
With standard lubricators, the effective range is only a few feet. Misting
lubricators are available that extend the range to between 10 and 20 feet,
depending on the system.
Most manufacturers offer an FRL combination unit. The FRL combines the air
filter,
air regulator, and lubricator into one easy to mount unit.
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