What The Important Factors to Consider When Installing a Pneumatic Lubricator?

Pneumatic Lubricator

Pneumatic tools, cylinders, valves, and other equipment last longer and perform better when supplied with clean, dry, pressure-regulated air that is also lubricated. Installed downstream of filters and regulators, lubricators release controlled quantities of oil into the compressed air system to help prevent friction and wear in pneumatic devices that push, pull, lift, position, or convey. A well-designed FRL assembly (filter/regulator/lubricator) can help reduce maintenance costs, extend product life, and improve plant efficiency.

Several important factors should be considered when installing a lubricator in an industrial system. First, decide if it is necessary to add one. While many industrial machines are designed with pre-lubricated components that do not require lubrication, most pneumatic tools and devices will benefit from consistent aerosol lubrication. This is because environmental factors like extreme temperatures and excessive moisture, and operational factors such as start-up and operation friction, shorten the service lives of most working pneumatic equipment.

In addition, a lubricator can be used to reduce noise in pneumatic tools and devices. By spraying a fine mist of oil into the compressed air stream, noise from vibrating or slamming valves is significantly reduced. Finally, some lubricators can be equipped with shutoff, isolation, and lockout valves, which make them ideal for use in applications where it is required to keep compressed air pressure low as recommended by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

A key factor when choosing a lubricator is its ability to accurately dispense the right amount of lubricant for a specific air flow. Too much oil, for instance, will simply blow into the system exhaust, polluting the environment and reducing machinery performance. It is important to select a lubricator that can be easily adjusted by the operator for proper dispensing.