General Manufacturing
Filters
Compressed Air Preparation and Diaphragm Pumps for General Manufacturing
In a manufacturing plant, one compressed air system feeds almost everything: assembly tools and blow guns, machine cylinders and fixtures, and the pumps that move solvents, oils and wash water around the shop. The same air has to reach a 1" main drop and a 1/8" instrument line in good condition. The ARO range on this page covers that whole span, with ARO-Flo filters, regulators, filter-regulators, lubricators and combination units from 1/8" to 1", in-line valves, 20 Compact Series diaphragm pumps for shop and process fluids, and the service kits that keep those pumps running.
Air Preparation from the Main Drop to the Tool
Plant air is usually treated in stages. Larger units protect the branches that leave the header, and smaller ones condition the air for each workstation or machine. Matching the series to the level keeps pressure drop low where flow is high and keeps point-of-use units compact:
| Level | Typical ports | Examples on this page |
|---|---|---|
Main drop or header branch |
3/4" and 1", ARO-Flo 3000 |
Piggyback P39464-110, 250 SCFM |
Area or cell branch |
3/8" to 3/4", ARO-Flo 2000 |
Piggyback P39344-110, 172 SCFM |
Workstation or machine |
1/8" and 1/4", ARO-Flo 1000 and 1500 |
Piggyback P39114-600, 43 SCFM |
Keep the far end of the line at pressure
Pressure at a workstation sags when a line or an air preparation unit is too small for the demand behind it, and tools then run slow or stall. Size each stage for everything downstream of it, and check the gauge at the point of use while the equipment is actually running, not at rest.
Lubricators for Air Tools and Air Motors
Air tools and air motors usually need oil in the air to last. ARO-Flo fog-type lubricators meter a fine mist into the airstream. Fill the bowl with a lubricating oil for air tools made for air line lubricator service, such as ARO lubricating oil 29665, a light, non-detergent SAE 10 grade. Fit the lubricator last, after the filter and regulator, as close to the tool as practical, and only on branches that actually need oil, so blow guns, cylinders specified for dry air and paint or finishing lines stay oil-free. Part numbers ending -100 are rated to 150 psi inlet; -110 and -120 to 250 psi.
| Port size | Lubricators on this page | Rated flow |
|---|---|---|
1/8" |
32 SCFM |
|
1/4" |
L36121-100, L36121-120 (1000) |
51 SCFM |
3/8" |
L36231-100, L36231-110 (1500) |
105 SCFM (1500) |
1/2" |
156 SCFM |
|
3/4" |
L36351-100, L36351-110 (2000) |
222 SCFM (2000) |
1" |
330 SCFM |
For a complete tool station in one order, 3-piece combination units run up to 1": the C38451-810 (3/4") is rated at 94 SCFM and the C38461-810 (1") at 101 SCFM.
Relieving and Non-Relieving Regulators
Every regulator in this range has a 0–140 psi control range and comes with or without a gauge. The choice that matters is what happens when the setting is turned down:
- Relieving Vents the excess downstream pressure through the regulator, so the line falls to the new setting at once. The everyday choice for tools and machines, from the 1/8" R37111-100 (45 SCFM) to the 1" R37461-600 (290 SCFM).
- Non-relieving Holds downstream air in the line instead of venting it at the regulator, so pressure only falls as equipment uses the air. Available at 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" and 1", such as R37341-120 (1/2", 210 SCFM) and R37461-620 (1", 290 SCFM, with gauge).
- Reading the suffix -100 and -600 are relieving, -120 and -620 non-relieving; a 6 at the start means the regulator includes a gauge.
Diaphragm Pumps for Shop and Process Fluids
ARO describes its 1/2" Classic non-metallic pump as the world's best-selling 1/2" ported diaphragm pump, and it is the basis for most of the Compact Series range here. These air-operated pumps prime themselves, can be dead-headed against a closed valve, and handle the light to medium viscosity fluids found across a plant, including solvents, water, detergents, oils, hydraulic fluids, antifreeze and acids. Choose the build by the fluid:
| Fluid | Wetted materials | Models on this page |
|---|---|---|
Water, detergents and general fluids |
Polypropylene with Santoprene or neoprene |
66605J-3EB, 666053-3EB, 666053-311 (neoprene), 13 GPM |
Oils, hydraulic fluids and petroleum-based fluids |
Nitrile, polypropylene or aluminum body |
66605J-322, 666053-322, 13 GPM |
Abrasive fluids |
Polypropylene with polyurethane |
66605J-388, 666053-388, 13 GPM |
Acids and aggressive chemicals |
Polypropylene with PTFE |
66605J-344, 666053-344, 13 GPM |
Solvents where static is a concern |
Groundable acetal |
66605H-644, 666056-2A4, 13 GPM |
Fibrous or shear-sensitive fluids |
Nitrile, duckbill valves |
66605J-0D2, 10 GPM |
All Compact Series pumps here have 1/2" fluid ports and a 100 psi maximum pressure. Confirm the elastomer against the actual fluid, concentration and temperature with the ARO chemical compatibility guide before ordering.
Set Pump Flow and Pressure from the Air Side
An air-operated diaphragm pump does not need a variable-speed drive. ARO notes that flow and discharge pressure can be adjusted with just a filter-regulator and a needle valve on the air supply. The regulator setting limits the pressure the pump can develop, and the needle valve limits how fast it strokes, which sets the flow. Match the port size of these components to the air inlet listed on the pump's data sheet.
Filter-regulator
Sets the pressure limit
A gauge model makes the setting visible, for example P39124-604 (1/4", poly bowl, automatic drain) or P39224-610 (1/4", metal bowl).
Needle valve
Sets the stroke rate
104104-N02 (1/4", 28 SCFM) or 104104-NS2 with a stainless steel needle and inserts.
Connection kit
Ties it together
The 66073-1 air line connection kit is listed for 1/4" and 1/2" pump models.
Service Parts That Keep Pumps Running
Rebuilding a pump with the right kit is usually faster and cheaper than replacing it. These parts are stocked alongside the pumps:
- Fluid section kits 637140-44 (PTFE/PTFE) and 637140-EB (Santoprene/Santoprene) for 1/2" Classic pumps
- Air section kit 637141 air section repair kit for 1/2" non-metallic Classic pumps
- Installation 66073-1 air line connection kit and 76763 wall mount bracket
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I size air preparation units across a plant air system?
Work from the demand downstream of each point. Main drops feeding several areas typically need 3/4" or 1" ARO-Flo 3000 units, area branches 3/8" to 3/4" ARO-Flo 2000 units, and individual workstations 1/8" or 1/4" units. Then check each unit's rated flow against the peak demand it serves, because pressure drop rises quickly once a unit runs near its limit.
Does every air tool need a lubricator?
Most air tools and air motors are designed for lubricated air, but check the manufacturer's instructions, because some are built to run oil-free. Blow guns, many modern cylinders and any air used for painting or finishing should be kept on unlubricated branches. Where a tool does need oil, use a lubricant for air tools compounded for air line lubricator service rather than a general-purpose oil.
Where should the lubricator go in the air line?
Last in the sequence, after the filter and the regulator, and as close to the tool or air motor as practical. Oil mist settles out over long runs of hose or pipe, so a lubricator far upstream delivers less oil to the tool than its setting suggests.
When is a non-relieving regulator the better choice?
Choose non-relieving where you do not want air vented at the regulator when the setting is reduced, and accept that downstream pressure will only fall as the air is used. The non-relieving models here have suffixes ending -120 (no gauge) or -620 (with gauge) and run from 1/4" to 1".
Should I choose a poly or a metal bowl for a workshop?
Poly bowls are rated to 150 psi inlet and let you see the liquid level, while metal bowls are rated to 250 psi inlet and suit higher line pressures or areas where solvents are used. Both are offered on most filters, filter-regulators and combination units here, with manual or automatic drains.
Which diaphragm pump elastomer is right for my fluid?
As a starting point, Santoprene or neoprene suits water and detergents, nitrile suits oils and petroleum-based fluids, polyurethane suits abrasive fluids, and PTFE suits acids and aggressive chemicals. Always confirm compatibility for the actual fluid, concentration and temperature before ordering.
How can I control the flow of an air-operated diaphragm pump?
Put a filter-regulator and a needle valve on the pump's air supply. The regulator limits the pressure the pump can develop, and the needle valve limits how fast it strokes, which sets the flow. No electrical controls are needed.
Where can I get help with a plant air or pump project?
The ARO service hotline on +1 800 495 0276 handles sizing, elastomer selection and spare parts questions, Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 5:00 pm CST. You can also use the ARO contact form, or find an ARO distributor for local stock and on-site support.
One Range for the Whole Plant
Treating air in stages, lubricating only where tools need it and matching each pump to its fluid keeps a manufacturing plant's tools at full power and its fluid transfer reliable, without overbuying at the workstation or starving the far end of the line.
Order the general manufacturing range above, or browse all ARO filters, regulators, lubricators, piggybacks, combination units, flow control and needle valves, diaphragm pumps and parts and kits. For machine-level air on packaging lines, see packaging.
Equipping a plant or maintenance shop?
Talk to ARO about plant air sizing, tool lubrication or pump selection. Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 5:00 pm CST.