Don't over lubricate!

We receive numerous requests for clarifications from our customers about air filter, lubricators and regulators. The main questions revolve around, what are they, when to use them and, most importantly, when NOT to use them.

Air regulators

They come in many forms and sizes, but in general they accept a manual input to control the pressure (not to be mixed up with flow) of the air system. This is important as pneumatic components require a certain pressure to work efficiently; too little pressure and they might not operate well, too much and they might wear and tear quicker.

Would you use a mobile phone which doesn't have a monitor? Probably not. So ensure that the regulator has a pressure gauge that reads at least 10% higher than the maximum pressure created by the compressor. How else can you regulate correctly?


Air Filters

These filters do a very similar job to your car air filter, they purify the air. The air around us is filled with tiny impurities, including water (better known as humidity). If these impurities are not captured before they enter the air line system they can cause serious damage to your pneumatic components.

There are various types and grades of filtration available. Any and every application needs to begin with a general purpose filter. Then, depending on the use of the air, more advanced filters may be required. Car sprayers, for example, would do well to have a filtration system capable of removing particles as small as 0.003micron (a fraction of the size of a hair). In humid countries such as Malta, these filters guarantee an excellent and dry paint job.

Air Lubricators

There is a general misconception about the use and need of lubricators. Their task is pretty simple; they add a small amount of lubrication oil into the air line system. They should be used in air systems designated for mechanical tools, such as a pneumatic drill. The lubricated air ensures a long life to such tools.

They should NOT, however, be used in any system which has pneumatic valves and pistons, for example. These components (and more importantly their seals) are designed to operate without lubrication. HOWEVER, if you have already lubricated these components you need to continue lubricating them, as the seals would have adapted to require lubrication.






In conclusion, plan beforehand when installing an air line system. You can use the same general purpose filter at the begin and then split the line into two, a dry system and a lubricated one.

FIN provides free consultations for all your pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical projects. We also stock a wide variety of air filters, regulators, lubricators and gauges. Contact us on 27654098 for more information.