AF40-04D-A SMC AL4004DA Regulator Valve AR4004A Brand New

SMC AF40-04D-A Air Filter | AL40-04D-A Lubricator | AR40-04-A Regulator | New Original

Primary Part: AF40-04D-A | Related Parts: AL40-04D-A · AR40-04-A | Brand: SMC Corporation | Condition: Brand New OEM

Three Parts. One System. The SMC 40 Series FRL.

This listing covers three components from the SMC 40 Series air preparation equipment — a family of modular pneumatic units that are almost always installed together as a combined Filter–Regulator–Lubricator (FRL) assembly at the compressed air inlet of pneumatic machinery:

All three are available individually or as a set. If you need one specific unit, confirm the part number. If you are building or replacing a complete FRL station, all three can be ordered together.

Technical Specifications

AF40-04D-A — Air Filter

AL40-04D-A — Lubricator

AR40-04-A — Pressure Regulator

How an FRL Assembly Works — A Clear Explanation

If you already know what an FRL does, skip to the next section. If not, this is the two-minute version.

Compressed air leaving a compressor contains three things that damage pneumatic equipment: water (condensed from atmospheric moisture), compressor oil and aerosols, and particulates (pipe scale, rust, debris). It also arrives at inconsistent pressure depending on compressor load.

An FRL assembly addresses all of this at the point of entry to the machine:

Compressor → [AF40-04D-A Filter] → [AR40-04-A Regulator] → [AL40-04D-A Lubricator] → Machine
              Removes water,          Reduces and holds       Adds controlled oil mist
              oil, and particles      constant pressure        for valve/cylinder life

The Filter (AF40-04D-A) catches contamination. The Regulator (AR40-04-A) sets and holds the working pressure. The Lubricator (AL40-04D-A) protects downstream components. The auto-drain on the filter (the "D" suffix) automatically discharges collected water without manual intervention.

This sequence — filter first, then regulate, then lubricate — is the correct installation order. Reversing the order causes problems: lubricating before filtering puts oil into the filter bowl; regulating before filtering means the filter sees full line pressure.

Decoding the Part Numbers

Understanding the SMC model code prevents ordering errors:

AF40-04D-A breakdown:

The same logic applies to AL (Air Lubricator) and AR (Air Regulator) — only the first two letters change to identify the function.

Where These Units Are Installed

The SMC 40 Series FRL components are standard equipment across virtually all sectors of industrial pneumatics. Typical installation points include:

Machine tool and machining centre inlets — providing clean, regulated air to spindle clamping, tool change, and chip blowing circuits, where contamination or pressure variation directly affects machining quality.

Pneumatic assembly and handling systems — protecting cylinders, grippers, and rotary actuators from water and debris that causes seal failure and premature wear.

Paint booth and spray equipment — the AF40-04D-A filter's 5 μm element removes oil aerosols that would contaminate paint finishes. Note: for paint spray, a coalescing filter (AFM series) is preferred downstream of the AF for submicron oil removal.

Packaging machinery — maintaining consistent actuator force and speed through stable regulated pressure, which directly affects seal quality and cycle repeatability.

Food and beverage processing — while polycarbonate bowls are standard, metal bowl versions are available for applications requiring higher chemical resistance.

Replacement maintenance on existing SMC FRL stations — the 40 Series has been in production for many years and is widely installed. Replacement of worn or damaged units with new OEM components restores full performance without system modification.

SMC 40 Series vs 20/25/30 Series — Choosing the Right Size

SMC's air preparation range is sized by flow capacity and port size. The 40 Series sits in the mid-flow range:

The 40 Series (Rc 1/2, AF40/AL40/AR40) is the most commonly specified size for mid-range industrial machinery — large enough for multi-cylinder circuits without the bulk of a 60 Series installation.

Genuine SMC vs Non-OEM FRL Components

A pressure regulator or filter that drifts, leaks, or fails in service is not a cost saving — it is a production liability.

For CE-marked machinery supplied to European, North American, or export markets, FRL components with documented compliance are required. Generic components with no conformity documentation create compliance risk for the machine builder.

Ordering & Delivery

• ✅ Brand New Original SMC — OEM packaging, never installed
• ✅ Available individually or as a set — AF40-04D-A, AL40-04D-A, AR40-04-A
• ✅ In Stock — dispatches within 1–3 working days
• ✅ Global Shipping — DHL / FedEx / UPS with tracking
• ✅ Volume pricing available for multi-unit orders
• ✅ Technical support — pre-order sizing and compatibility advice available

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between AF40-04D-A, AL40-04D-A, and AR40-04-A? These are three different components in the same product family. The AF40-04D-A is an air filter — it removes water, oil aerosols, and solid particles from the compressed air supply. The AL40-04D-A is a lubricator — it injects a fine oil mist into the air stream to protect downstream cylinders, valves, and actuators from wear. The AR40-04-A is a pressure regulator — it reduces the supply pressure to a stable, adjustable working pressure. They are typically installed together in the sequence: filter → regulator → lubricator (FRL). Each can also be purchased and replaced individually.

Q2: What does the "D" in AF40-04D-A mean? The "D" suffix indicates the filter is fitted with an auto-drain — a float-operated valve at the bottom of the bowl that automatically opens to discharge collected condensate when the water level reaches a set point. This eliminates the need for daily manual bowl draining and is standard practice in continuous-run production environments. Without auto-drain (suffix without D, e.g. AF40-04-A), the bowl must be manually drained regularly to prevent water carry-over into the downstream air system.

Q3: What port size is Rc 1/2, and is it the same as NPT 1/2? Rc 1/2 (also written PT 1/2) is the ISO 7/1 parallel-tapered pipe thread standard commonly used in Japan and widely used in Asia and Europe. NPT 1/2 is the American National Pipe Taper thread standard used in North America. Both are 1/2-inch nominal diameter but have different thread forms and are not directly interchangeable — an Rc fitting will not reliably seal in an NPT port and vice versa. The thread pitch and angle differ. For North American installations, confirm whether your piping is Rc/PT or NPT and use the appropriate adapter or specify the NPT version (e.g. AF40-N04D-A for NPT port) if available.

Q4: Does the AR40-04-A regulator have a relieving function? Yes. The AR40-04-A is a relieving type regulator. This means that if you reduce the set pressure on the regulator after it has been pressurised, the excess downstream pressure is vented to atmosphere through the regulator body. This is an important safety and convenience feature — it allows downstream pressure to be safely reduced without having to manually actuate a downstream valve to exhaust the line. Non-relieving regulators (sometimes called "non-venting") do not exhaust downstream pressure when the set point is lowered.

Q5: What oil should be used in the AL40-04D-A lubricator? SMC recommends turbine oil ISO VG32 (also labelled as ISO grade 32 mineral turbine oil or equivalent pneumatic tool oil). This is a light, non-detergent oil that forms a fine mist in the lubricator's venturi without clogging downstream valve seals. Do not use engine oil, hydraulic oil, or heavier grades — these can damage elastomer seals in pneumatic valves and cylinders. Note that some modern SMC valves and cylinders are pre-lubricated and designed for non-lube service (no downstream lubricator required) — check your valve documentation before installing a lubricator, as adding oil to a non-lube circuit can cause seal swelling.

Q6: Can the polycarbonate bowl be used with coolants, solvents, or cleaning agents? No. Polycarbonate bowls are not compatible with many organic solvents, concentrated cleaning agents, some hydraulic fluids, and certain cutting coolants. Exposure can cause stress cracking and bowl failure. For environments where chemical splash is possible, specify the metal bowl version (suffix -W or equivalent SMC code). SMC publishes a chemical compatibility guide for polycarbonate materials — consult this before installing in a chemically aggressive environment.

Q7: What filtration grade does the AF40-04D-A provide, and is it sufficient for paint or instrument air? The standard AF40-04D-A element provides 5 μm general-purpose filtration, removing most solid particles and bulk water/oil. For paint spray applications, instrument air, or food-grade air requiring submicron oil aerosol removal, a 5 μm general filter is not sufficient on its own. In these applications, a coalescing filter (SMC AFM series, 0.3 μm) should be installed downstream of the AF40-04D-A to remove submicron oil mist. For breathing-quality or food-contact air, an activated carbon filter (SMC AMD series) is also required.

Q8: How do I adjust the pressure on the AR40-04-A? The AR40-04-A is adjusted by pulling up the knob on top of the regulator to unlock it, turning clockwise to increase the set pressure and anticlockwise to decrease it, then pressing the knob back down to lock the setting in place. The downstream pressure is read on a gauge fitted to the Rc 1/8 gauge port on the regulator body (gauge not included — ordered separately as SMC G36-10 or equivalent). Always adjust pressure with air flowing in the system (load side connected) to get an accurate reading under flow conditions.

Q9: Are replacement filter elements and spare O-rings available for these units? Yes. SMC's 40 Series is a current catalogue product line with full spare parts availability worldwide. Replacement filter elements (SMC part AF40-040AS for standard 5 μm), bowl O-rings, drain valve kits, and auto-drain assemblies are all available as service parts through SMC distributors globally. This is one of the practical advantages of specifying OEM SMC components — long-term spare parts availability is guaranteed by SMC's global distribution network.

Q10: Can these units be mounted in any orientation? The AF40-04D-A filter and AL40-04D-A lubricator must be mounted with the bowl downward (vertical bowl-down orientation) — this is mandatory for correct condensate collection and drainage. Horizontal or inverted mounting causes incorrect drain operation and liquid carry-over. The AR40-04-A regulator can be mounted vertically (knob up) or horizontally, but should not be mounted with the knob pointing downward, as this can affect the internal diaphragm mechanism. All three units can be direct-piped or manifold-mounted using SMC bracket accessories.

Q11: Is this a new unit or surplus/used stock? All three units — AF40-04D-A, AL40-04D-A, and AR40-04-A — are brand new original SMC products in OEM packaging. They are not surplus, ex-demo, refurbished, or used. The polycarbonate bowls are clear and undamaged, all seals are factory fitted, and the auto-drain mechanism on the filter is in its as-manufactured condition.