Compressed Air Preparation

PNEUMATICS Compressed air preparation

Compressed air preparation equipment conditions the air supply before it reaches pneumatic actuators, valves, and instrumentation. Used across factory automation, food processing, automotive assembly, and process industries, FRL units and associated components protect downstream equipment from contamination, pressure fluctuation, and moisture. Festo's MS series modular air prep is a common choice for machine builders requiring scalable, manifold-mounted solutions.

Pressure regulators and filter regulators

Compressed air filters

Compressed air lubricators

Combined preparation blocks

Air dryers

Latest products

Filter MS6-LF-1/2-ERM, 529615 Festo 40 µm

Code: F529615

Supplier:

53.48 EUR (w/o VAT)

Lubricant MS4-LOE-1/4-R, 529411 Festo

Code: F529411

Supplier:

41.62 EUR (w/o VAT)

Air preparation unit combination MSB6-1/2-FRC6:J2M1, 530246 Festo

Code: F530246

Supplier:

197.08 EUR (w/o VAT)

Air Preparation Unit Combination MSB6-1/2-FRC5:J1M1, 530244 Festo

Code: F530244

Supplier:

164.23 EUR (w/o VAT)

Air Preparation Unit MS4-EM1FR-1/4-D6-E-P-VC-AG-BAR-WPE-B, 8098379 Festo

Code: F8098379

Supplier:

158.38 EUR (w/o VAT)

Air preparation unit combination MSB4-1/4-FRC6:J2M1, 531119 Festo

Code: F531119

Supplier:

156.06 EUR (w/o VAT)

Air Preparation Unit Combination MSB4-1/4-FRC5:J1M1, 531117 Festo

Code: F531117

Supplier:

123.20 EUR (w/o VAT)

Filter regulator MS6-LFR-1/2-D6-E-P-M-AG-BAR-B, 8098304 Festo

Code: F8098304

Supplier:

73.15 EUR (w/o VAT)

Pressure regulation valve MS6-LR-1/2-D7-AS, 529993 Festo

Code: F529993

Supplier:

64.21 EUR (w/o VAT)

Filter regulator MS4-LFR-1/4-D6-E-P-M-AG-BAR-B, 8098258 Festo

Code: F8098258

Supplier:

58.93 EUR (w/o VAT)

Filters, regulators, lubricators, dryers and modular FRL assemblies

Compressed air preparation covers all equipment used to condition compressed air between the compressor and point-of-use pneumatic components. The core product is the FRL unit — a modular assembly combining a particulate filter, pressure regulator, and lubricator. Festo's MS series is widely used in modular machine builds, allowing individual units to be combined on a common rail with optional fieldbus pressure monitoring.

Beyond FRL assemblies, the category includes:

Particulate filters — remove pipe scale, rust, and dust; available in 5 µm, 25 µm, and 40 µm grades
Coalescing filters — remove oil aerosols and water mist; sub-micron grades down to 0.01 µm for instrument and food-grade air
Activated carbon filters — remove oil vapour and odour; required for food, pharma, and breathing air
Pressure regulators — general-purpose and precision types; stabilise downstream pressure independent of flow variation
Lubricators — oil-fog or micro-fog types for pneumatic tools and cylinders that require lubrication
Soft-start / dump valves — gradually pressurise the downstream circuit on startup; exhaust pressure safely on shutdown
Lockout isolation valves — manual quarter-turn valves with padlock hasp for LOTO compliance
Condensate drains — manual, timed, or zero-loss electronic types fitted to filter bowls
Refrigerant and desiccant dryers — for moisture removal at system or point-of-use level

Key technical selection criteria

Nominal flow rate (l/min ANR) — size the unit to meet peak downstream demand without exceeding rated pressure drop
Port size — G1/8 through G1 BSP; must match downstream valve or manifold connection
Maximum operating pressure — standard units rated to 10–16 bar; verify for high-pressure circuits
Filtration grade (µm) — 40 µm for general tools, 5 µm for cylinders and valves, 0.01 µm for instrument or food-grade air
Bowl material — polycarbonate for standard environments; metal bowl required for wash-down, solvents, or pressures above 10 bar
Lubricator requirement — many modern Festo cylinders and valves are lubrication-free; adding a lubricator can damage PTFE seals — always check OEM guidance
Drain type — zero-loss electronic drains preferred for energy efficiency over timed drains

Product	Primary function	Typical application
Particulate filter	Remove solid particles	General factory automation
Coalescing filter	Remove oil aerosols and water mist	Instrument air, food processing
Pressure regulator	Stabilise downstream pressure	All pneumatic circuits
Lubricator	Inject oil mist for lubrication	Pneumatic tools, older cylinders
Soft-start valve	Gradual pressurisation on startup	Machine safety circuits
Refrigerant dryer	Moisture removal to +3°C PDP	General factory air supply
Desiccant dryer	Moisture removal to −40°C PDP	Outdoor pipework, instrument air

Do I need a lubricator with Festo cylinders and valves?

Most current Festo cylinders and valves are lubrication-free and should not be used with a lubricator, as oil mist damages PTFE seals. Always confirm with the component datasheet before adding a lubricator.

How do I select the correct port size for an FRL unit?

Match the FRL port size to the largest downstream connection in the circuit. Undersizing the port creates excessive pressure drop at peak flow, reducing actuator performance.

When is a soft-start valve required instead of a standard isolation valve?

Use a soft-start valve when the downstream circuit contains actuators that could slam to end position on sudden pressurisation at machine startup. It gradually ramps pressure to prevent mechanical shock.

What is the difference between a timed condensate drain and a zero-loss drain?

Timed drains open on a fixed interval and waste compressed air when no condensate is present. Zero-loss electronic drains only open when condensate is detected, reducing energy consumption.