FRLs – Filters, Regulators and Lubricators – guarantee the efficiency and durability of pneumatic tools. Including an FRL in your air system
is vital to running an efficient air line set-up and key to achieving a good return on investment. Adding an FRL in close proximity to the
power tool will ensure the required airflow pressure, as well as good air quality by reducing the risk of moisture and dust in the air line.
The FRL also helps maintain your air line by providing lubrication.
How to achieve ultimate pneumatic tool performance by optimizing air line installation
An FRL system combines 3 main functions in one system: filtration, regulation and lubrication.
1. Air filtration: The filter cleans compressed air and traps solid particles (dust, dirt, rust).
Dust in an engine could block the air flow and reduce the power of the tool leading to increased maintenance costs as well as high air
consumption. Any dirt and rust could also damage the engine resulting in power loss and early wear. This increases tool repair costs and the
risk of incident during production.
2. Air regulation: The regulator ensures the consistency of the dynamic working pressure at 90 psi/6.3 bar.
This is important because if the pressure is lower than the one recommended by the manufacturer, the tool can’t reach its performance level
and the profitability is decreasing. If the pressure is too high, the tool wears out early. It could also breakdown leading to operator
injury and a risk of damage to the application.
3. Air lubrication: The lubricator adds controlled quantities of oil into a compressed air system.
Without lubrication a tool wears out and will stop reaching its maximum level of performance. This in turn leads to a loss of productivity
and increased maintenance costs. The graphics below illustrate the durability and the service life of the tool’s air motor with and without
lubrication maintenance:
Achieve optimum performance of your tool’s air motor with good lubrication:
Estimated figures based on laboratory tests carried out on pneumatic motors.
(1) Tool’s motor power output
(2) Oil quantity
(3) Tool manufacturer recommendations (available in operator/product manual)
Achieve optimum service life of your tool’s air motor with good air lubrication:
Estimated figures based on laboratory tests carried out on pneumatic motors.
(1) Tool’s motor power output
(2) Oil quantity
(3) Tool manufacturer recommendations (available in operator/product manual)
4 things to consider to select the appropriate FRL unit
There are many different types of FRLs, and so when specifying an FRL there are 4 key considerations:
Environment
Type of FRL
Thread size
Tool’s air flow requirements
Important: Make sure you always check manufacturer recommendations.
How to install FRLs
Most pneumatic tool users do not achieve the best performance from their tools because of the air line setup.
To maximize the benefits of using FRLs there are 4 rules to bear in mind:
Always use one FRL unit per tool to ensure the best performance. If more than one tool in use is connected to the same FRL unit, the
air pressure and lubrication will be diluted between the different air tools, and you will not benefit from the regulator function.
Mount the FRL units as close as possible to the tool – where the tool hose is connected to the system – to ensure that the oil
reaches the tool and to avoid losing pressure.
Always make sure that the lubricator is topped up with oil before using the tool since lubrication maximizes the life of your tool.
Read more about oil quantity in our Technical guide “Is your air tool installation right?”
Make sure you maintain the inlet filters regularly: they should be free from moisture and dirt.
Safety Tips
Pneumatic tools are designed and specified to work at 90 PSI (6.3 bar) dynamic air pressure and with lubrication (find all information in
the tools’ operator manuals available in the Chicago Pneumatic website). A higher pressure could affect the tools lifespan, and operator
safety (excessive vibration, or abrasive over-speed and burst risk). We recommend using a gauge equipped FRL with every tool to
adjust pressure.
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a reputation for
quality and reliability.
We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Reciprocating, Screw, air compressors
Vacuum pumps
Nitrogen
An extensive line of air treatment components
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries ranging
from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white cloud.
Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations nationwide,
Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts
on the following:
Increasing uptime
Reducing unexpected repairs
Reducing energy consumption
Improving the cleanliness of compressed air
Extensive Product Line
We offer a broad array of products, from world class compressor brands, including a full range of rotary and reciprocating air compressors
from ½ to 200 horsepower. We serve the compressed air needs of many industries such as the following:
Oil and gas
Light industry
Construction
Automotive
Marine
Medical
Food and beverage
Solutions
In our effort to prioritise the needs of our customers, we work hard to provide solutions. We continually introduce innovative products here
at Ash Air to our Kiwi customers, so our end users can rely on us to meet evolving compressed air needs.
Support
We offer an extensive array of air compressor parts and services through our direct locations throughout New Zealand. Continued growth means
our operations continue to operate on a national level.
In our effort to provide the best possible support, we offer the following remote monitoring, preventative
maintenance, vacuum
pump services and overhaul, compressor
and pipework installations, hire
fleet and leasing solutions, leak
detection's and energy audits,
and breakdown recovery and emergency air.
When considering new energy-efficient air compressors or an upgrade to more energy-efficient machinery, Ash Air can help you make the right
choices for your business.
Air compressors come in many types, rotary screw, piston, scroll, reciprocating, some are oil-free and other air compressors require oil
lubrication. Like many businesses, an efficient air compressor is at the heart of their operations. So, which type of compressor should you
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