Manifolds & Air Prep

About manifolds & air prep

Manifolds and Air Preparation components are essential for delivering conditioned compressed air to pneumatic systems. This category includes Filters, Regulators, and Lubricators (FRLs), often supplied as modular units or individual components. Filters remove particulates and moisture from the air supply, with common types including coalescing filters for oil removal and particulate filters rated by micron size (e.g., 5-micron, 40-micron). Regulators maintain a constant output pressure, typically specified by their operating pressure range (e.g., 0-125 psi, 0-10 bar) and port size (e.g., 1/4" NPT, G1/2). Lubricators inject a fine mist of oil into the air stream to lubricate downstream pneumatic components, with oil capacity and flow rate being key specifications. Distribution manifolds provide multiple output ports from a single input, simplifying pneumatic plumbing. Manifolds are specified by the number of stations, port sizes, and materials. Common materials for FRLs and manifolds include aluminum, zinc, and engineering plastics, with seals often made from NBR or FKM. Operating temperature range, maximum inlet pressure, and flow coefficient (Cv) are critical performance parameters for all components within this category.