Air system drying and lubrication
The air drier is mounted on a compressed air supply system to remove moisture. The compressed air from the atmosphere contains water in the form of humidity. If water gets into the compressed air lines, it can damage the inside of the air tools. The air drier is installed as a stand-alone device or as part of a filter-regulator system. The combined filter-regulator device removes moisture from the air, filters any impurities coming from the compressor tank, and regulates the system pressure from the tank.
The simplest device is a water trap that collects water droplets while the air is cooling. With such a drier, it is necessary to occasionally drain the collected water by hand. Some advanced devices are equipped with an automatic drainage device.
Compressed air drier
Another type of air drier is the chiller type that uses the principle of air conditioning to cool compressed air, which performs forced condensation of water vapor and rapid drying of the air. This system is more expensive but also more efficient in the process of air drying. It is used by painters where moisture must be removed from the compressed air so that it does not mix with the paint in the process of spraying on the surface of the vehicle.
Air tools require regular lubrication to reduce wear. This is usually done daily by adding a few drops of air tool oil to the air supply line. The oil lubricates the internal parts of the tool.
There is a device that automatically lubricates air tools so it does not need to be manually lubricated before and during operation. Automatic oilers are placed on air hoses near the tool, where they constantly inject a small amount of oil into the flow of compressed air, which is transferred to the tool together with the air. It is necessary to periodically check the oil level and the correct dosage of the automatic lubricator.
Automatic oilers
A central device containing a filter, drier, pressure regulator, manometer, and lubricator is often installed in the air system. This combined device is simpler to operate and control the condition of the air system in one car workshop.
Set filter, drier, pressure regulator, and compressed air lubricator
