Lubricators (air line oilers) for air treatment units
A lubricator, also called an air line oiler, adds oil to compressed air as a fine mist. The air carries it to pneumatic tools, cylinders and valves that are lubricated by the air. In the assembly, it always comes last, after the filter and regulator.
Here you will find separate lubricators from 7 ranges of air treatment units: from plastic ones through metal ones for 18 bar and lubricators for potentially explosive atmospheres to stainless steel up to 60 bar. The table below shows how the ranges differ.
Lubricators by range
“Inlet up to” is the highest air line pressure the lubricator withstands. The flow applies to the largest thread of the range.
| Lubricators (air line oilers) — range comparison | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | Connection | Inlet up to | Flow up to | Working temperature | ATEX |
| P2 | G 1/4" | 12 bar | 710 l/min | +5 / +50 °C | – |
| I3 | G 1/8", 1/4" | 13 bar | 710 l/min | −10 / +50 °C | – |
| A2 | G 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 1" | 10 bar | 7,000 l/min | +5 / +60 °C | – |
| B2 | G 1/4"–1" | 18 bar | 16,000 l/min | +5 / +50 °C | – |
| I8 | G 1/4"–1" | 18 bar | 16,000 l/min | −10 / +50 °C | – |
| FUTURA | G 1/4"–1" | 12 / 16 bar | 16,000 l/min | −10 / +50 °C | some versions |
| A1X | G 1/4", 1/2", 1" | 30 / 60 bar | 13,200 l/min | −10 / +70 °C | – |
On FUTURA, the 12 bar inlet applies to the size 0 micro-lubricator, which is not for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. On A1X, the G 1/4" thread withstands 30 bar, the larger threads 60 bar.
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How the lubricator works and how to set the dose
The lubricator mixes oil into the flowing air as a fine mist. You set the oil quantity with a screw; on FUTURA lubricators, you check it by counting the drops in the sight dome.
The FUTURA lubricator only adds oil above a certain flow, for size 1 from 90 l/min at 6 bar, so it does not drip when little air is drawn. The metal I8 lubricator doses oil in proportion to the flow and lubricates even when little air is drawn.
As a guide, on FUTURA 1 to 2 drops per minute at a flow of 1,000 l/min are enough; on the plastic I3 lubricators, roughly one drop per 300 to 600 litres of air. Start with a smaller dose and add more only when the tool runs dry.
When a lubricator belongs and when it does not
Oil mist is needed by pneumatic tools and actuators that are lubricated by the air. The lubricator always goes last in the assembly, after the filter and regulator — before the filter, the oil would clog the element. Place it as close to the tool as possible; in a long hose, the oil mist settles on the walls.
For painting, blow-off, the food industry or measuring instruments, you do not want oil in the air. Oil ruins the paint finish, and a lubricator does not belong after a microfilter: it would contaminate the cleaned air again.
If the same air line also supplies spraying or blow-off, branch off for them before the lubricator, for example with a manifold module. Where you do not want oil at all, a pressure regulator with filter is enough.
Oil mist is harmful to health. Use the lubricator only in closed pneumatic systems.
Oil and topping up
The lubricator takes oil for pneumatic tools. Engine or hydraulic oil is too thick and the dosing would not work properly. For FUTURA and A1X lubricators, oil with an ISO VG 32 viscosity is recommended; for food processing, we offer a food-grade oil.
Top up the oil when the level drops to the lower mark. Before opening the bowl, shut off the supply and release the pressure. FUTURA lubricators in sizes 1 to 4 and the stainless steel A1X can also be topped up during operation, FUTURA through a hose and the filling button.
Protect plastic polycarbonate bowls from thinners and cleaners containing alcohol, and wash them only with soapy water. I8 and the stainless steel A1X lubricators have a metal bowl; on FUTURA you select it as a variant.
Air line lubricator, automatic lubricator or complete unit
An air line lubricator uses compressed air to lubricate the tools and actuators the air flows through. Machine bearings are lubricated by a different device — an automatic lubricator, which is not part of the air treatment unit.
You will find a ready-made assembly of filter, regulator and lubricator that you connect as one piece among the complete air treatment units.
Where to go next
| Related pages | |
|---|---|
| Where next | What you will find there |
| Complete air treatment units | Ready-made assemblies with filter, regulator and lubricator from 9 ranges. |
| Pressure regulators with filter | Filter and regulator in one body, before the lubricator in an assembly. |
| Manifold modules for air treatment units | An oil-free air branch before the lubricator. |
| FUTURA lubricators | Size tables, oiling from a minimum flow, filling during operation and spare parts. |
| Oils for compressors and pneumatic tools | Oil for pneumatic tools for the lubricator. |
Ventilek’s tip
Less oil is more. Set the smallest dose that is still enough for the tool. Surplus oil ends up in the tool exhaust, on the workpiece and in the air line.
- What is air line lubrication?
- Adding oil to compressed air. The lubricator (air line oiler) creates an oil mist that the air carries to tools, cylinders and valves.
- Where does the lubricator go in the assembly?
- Last, after the filter and regulator. Take oil-free air before the lubricator.
- When should I leave out the lubricator?
- For painting, blow-off, the food industry or measuring instruments. There you do not want oil in the air, and a pressure regulator with filter is enough.
- Which oil goes into the lubricator?
- Oil for pneumatic tools. For FUTURA and A1X lubricators, oil with an ISO VG 32 viscosity is recommended. Do not use engine or hydraulic oil.
- Why does the lubricator not drip?
- FUTURA lubricators only add oil above a certain flow, for size 1 from 90 l/min at 6 bar. That is why they do not drip when little air is drawn.
- Is a lubricator the same as an automatic lubricator?
- No. An air line lubricator adds oil to compressed air for tools and actuators. An automatic lubricator lubricates machine bearings.
Product sorting
List of products
A2 compressed air lubricator with a G 3/8" thread, inlet pressure up to 10 bar and a flow of 5000 l/min. 50 cm³ polycarbonate oil bowl, painted aluminium body.
Metal B2 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 1/4" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 1750 l/min. The oil dose is set with the screw on top;...
Metal B2 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 3/8" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 4500 l/min. The oil dose is set with the screw on top;...
Metal I8 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 3/8" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 4300 l/min. Metal 150 cm³ oil bowl, fine dose adjustment with...
Metal I8 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 1/2" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 4300 l/min. Metal 150 cm³ oil bowl, fine dose adjustment with...
Metal I8 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 3/4" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 16000 l/min. Metal 379 cm³ oil bowl, fine dose adjustment...
Metal I8 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 1/4" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 1100 l/min. Metal 50 cm³ oil bowl, fine dose adjustment with...
A2 compressed air lubricator with a G 1" thread, inlet pressure up to 10 bar and a flow of 7000 l/min. 130 cm³ polycarbonate oil bowl, painted aluminium body.
A2 compressed air lubricator with a G 1/2" thread, inlet pressure up to 10 bar and a flow of 5000 l/min. 130 cm³ polycarbonate oil bowl, painted aluminium body.
Miniature plastic compressed air lubricator with a G 1/4" thread for pressure up to 12 bar and a flow of 710 l/min. The oil mist dose is set with the screw on top; the bowl...
Metal I8 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 1" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 16000 l/min. Metal 379 cm³ oil bowl, fine dose adjustment with...
Metal B2 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 3/4" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 16000 l/min. The oil dose is set with the screw on top;...
Metal B2 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 1" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 16000 l/min. The oil dose is set with the screw on top; painted...
A2 compressed air lubricator with a G 1/4" thread, inlet pressure up to 10 bar and a flow of 800 l/min. 25 cm³ polycarbonate oil bowl, painted aluminium body.
Compact plastic I3 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 1/8" thread, inlet pressure up to 13 bar and a flow of 710 l/min. Transparent 27 cm³ oil bowl,...
Compact plastic I3 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 1/4" thread, inlet pressure up to 13 bar and a flow of 710 l/min. Transparent 27 cm³ oil bowl,...
Metal B2 compressed air lubricator (air line oiler) with a G 1/2" thread, inlet pressure up to 18 bar and a flow of 4500 l/min. The oil dose is set with the screw on top;...
Stainless steel lubricator with a 220 cm³ bowl, G 1", inlet up to 60 bar, flow 13,200 l/min, oil can be topped up during operation. Mounting bracket included.
Stainless steel lubricator with a 130 cm³ bowl, G 1/2", inlet up to 60 bar, flow 4,100 l/min, oil can be topped up during operation. Mounting bracket included.
Stainless steel lubricator with a 125 cm³ bowl, G 1/4", inlet up to 30 bar, flow 2,500 l/min, oil can be topped up during operation. Mounting bracket included.