Question for you guys about SMC modular compressed air filters and regulators. I've got a compressed air drop with some SMC 30 series body filters/regulators in a modular configuration that is used only for a 1/4" hose with a blow gun. It's an AF30 Filter (5 Micron), AFM30 Coalescing Filter (0.3 Micron), and an AR30 Regulator with modular pipe ends. I'm talking about the older gold anodized SMC stuff from like the 2015 time frame, not the newer white -A or -D suffix stuff.
I originally spec'd the 30 series knowing this line wouldn't be used for air tools, but I'm looking at adding another level of filtration to bring it closer to effectively oil-free air use it for dusting during some upcoming woodworking and blowing water out body panels and other hard to dry spots before detailing. Because I've got a large compressor, I'm not interested in buying an oil free compressor and my little portable pancake isn't cutting it. I'd like to keep things modular and avoid replacing the whole setup with larger stuff. The next step in oil removal is the AFD series, but the size 30 bodies have equivalent flow rates in the range of like 8CFM so I need to look for other options. The older AM_25 series stuff connects to the 30 series bodies and has much higher flow rates, but you can't use the wall mounted T style clamps to secure them. You need to use the non-bracketed clamps, thus leaving them unsupported unless you use the wall brackets which I wanted to avoid.
My question is, is it acceptable to use this style, which has higher flow rates for the equivalent body size, without supporting wall brackets? The setup would be Mounted T clamp, AFM, union clamp, AME micromist filter below, Union Clamp, Regulator, Mounted T clamp, Pipe End. Would there be any issues with leakage from sagging or anything else I need to consider?
I appreciate any feedback here. Thanks!
I originally spec'd the 30 series knowing this line wouldn't be used for air tools, but I'm looking at adding another level of filtration to bring it closer to effectively oil-free air use it for dusting during some upcoming woodworking and blowing water out body panels and other hard to dry spots before detailing. Because I've got a large compressor, I'm not interested in buying an oil free compressor and my little portable pancake isn't cutting it. I'd like to keep things modular and avoid replacing the whole setup with larger stuff. The next step in oil removal is the AFD series, but the size 30 bodies have equivalent flow rates in the range of like 8CFM so I need to look for other options. The older AM_25 series stuff connects to the 30 series bodies and has much higher flow rates, but you can't use the wall mounted T style clamps to secure them. You need to use the non-bracketed clamps, thus leaving them unsupported unless you use the wall brackets which I wanted to avoid.
My question is, is it acceptable to use this style, which has higher flow rates for the equivalent body size, without supporting wall brackets? The setup would be Mounted T clamp, AFM, union clamp, AME micromist filter below, Union Clamp, Regulator, Mounted T clamp, Pipe End. Would there be any issues with leakage from sagging or anything else I need to consider?
I appreciate any feedback here. Thanks!
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