AL40-04B-A Lubricator

Product Positioning
The AL40-04B-A is a modular lubricator from the SMC AL-A series, a core lubrication component within the F.R.L. (Filter, Regulator, Lubricator) air preparation unit. Its main function is to atomize lubricating oil and mix it with the compressed air, delivering it downstream to pneumatic components (such as cylinders and valves) for continuous and uniform lubrication. With its key advantages of high visibility, high safety, and a large-capacity reservoir bowl, it is widely used in packaging machinery, assembly lines, electronics manufacturing, and various general industrial automation fields requiring reliable pneumatic lubrication.

Core Highlights: High-Visibility Transparent Guard, Includes Mounting Bracket, Large-Capacity Bowl

• High Visibility and Safety Design: Features a transparent, fully enclosed bowl guard allowing 360° visual confirmation of the oil level without disassembly for real-time monitoring.
  • The guard effectively prevents fragment scattering in case of bowl breakage, significantly enhancing operational safety.
• Large Capacity Reservoir Bowl, Reduced Maintenance Frequency: The bowl capacity is 135 cm³ (for AL40 size), meeting the needs for long-duration continuous operation and reducing the maintenance workload for frequent refilling.
• Includes Mounting Bracket, Easy Integration: Option “B” signifies the inclusion of a mounting bracket, facilitating secure attachment of the lubricator to equipment or panels and simplifying installation.
• Wide Operating Condition Adaptability, Stable Performance: Maximum operating pressure 1.0 MPa, proof pressure 1.5 MPa, suitable for most industrial pneumatic systems.
  • Operating fluid/ambient temperature range -5 ~ 60°C, covering general industrial environments.
  • Minimum oil drip flow rate 50 L/min (ANR), ensuring stable oil supply even at lower flow rates.
• Modular Design, Flexible Combination: Employs modular connection, allowing seamless combination with same-series filters (AF) and regulators (AR) to form a complete F.R.L. air preparation unit, simplifying piping layout.

Model Number Breakdown
Based on specification tables and product information from multiple sources, the meaning of the AL40-04B-A model number is as follows:

Specifications Overview

Structure and Operating Principle
According to SMC technical documentation, the operating principle of the AL-A series lubricator is as follows:

• Pressure Differential Generation: Compressed air enters from the IN side. A portion flows directly to the OUT side, while another portion passes through a needle valve into the upper part of the bowl, applying pressure to the oil surface.
• Siphon Drip Feed: The lubricating oil in the bowl rises through the dip tube under pressure, forming visible oil droplets in the sight glass.
• Atomization and Mixing: The oil droplets fall into the lubricator body, where they are shattered and atomized by the high-velocity airflow, forming an oil mist that is carried downstream by the air.
• Drip Rate Adjustment: The drip rate is adjusted via the front needle valve. Turning clockwise increases the drip rate; turning it fully counterclockwise stops the oil supply.

Applicable Scenarios

• General Automation Equipment: Lubrication for pneumatic systems in packaging machinery, assembly lines, material handling equipment.
• Air Tool Supply: Providing oil-mist-lubricated compressed air for tools like pneumatic screwdrivers and grinders to extend tool life.
• Multi-Cylinder Systems: Centralized lubrication for complex pneumatic circuits requiring lubrication for multiple cylinders and valves.
• Replacement for Older Lubricators: As an upgraded product to replace older AL series models, enhancing safety and visibility.

Summary: The High-Safety Core for Pneumatic Lubrication
The AL40-04B-A Modular Lubricator perfectly addresses the core requirement in pneumatic systems for “reliable, continuous lubrication with safe monitoring” through its three key technological advantages: the transparent bowl guard providing high safety and visibility, the 135 cm³ large-capacity reservoir bowl, and the convenient integration with an included mounting bracket. Its Rc1/2 standard port adapts to wide-ranging piping, the -5~60°C wide temperature range suits diverse working environments, and the 8000 L/min max flow rate meets the needs of various equipment scales. Choosing the AL40-04B-A means equipping your automated equipment with a safe, reliable, and easy-to-maintain “pneumatic lubrication core”—an ideal choice for ensuring the stable operation and extended life of downstream pneumatic components.