Miniature Series Port Sizes 1/8" & 1/4"; Flow to 23 scfm (651 l/min)

Product Overview

The ROSS Controls Miniature Series is a compact Filter/Regulator and Lubricator combo that integrates particulate filtration, downstream pressure regulation, and wick-feed lubrication into a single inline assembly. Rated for port sizes of 1/8" and 1/4" with a maximum flow capacity of 23 scfm (651 l/min), the series is engineered for pneumatic systems where minimizing component count and installation footprint is a design priority.

The filter section accepts high-strength polycarbonate plastic bowls for visual condensate monitoring or aluminum bowls for higher-temperature and higher-pressure service. Drain options include automatic drain for continuous unattended condensate removal and manual drain for scheduled maintenance environments. The filter protects the downstream regulator, lubricator, and pneumatic components from particulate contamination that accelerates wear and causes premature failure.

Regulator options include piston-type and diaphragm-type designs. Piston regulators provide robust, cycle-resistant pressure control. Diaphragm regulators offer low hysteresis and fine pressure sensitivity for instrumentation and positioner supplies. Both regulator types are available in self-relieving and non-relieving configurations. A pressure gauge is provided as standard to display regulated output pressure at a glance.

The wick-feed lubricator integrated into the series delivers a consistent oil mist to downstream pneumatic cylinders, actuators, and tools, providing continuous protection against wear and corrosion without requiring a sight dome assembly. The single-SKU approach of the series simplifies purchasing, installation, and ongoing maintenance for machine builders and facilities engineers working with small-port pneumatic circuits.

Key Engineering Features

• Integrated Filter, Regulator, and Lubricator - Combines all three air preparation functions in a single compact inline assembly, eliminating separate interconnecting pipe fittings and reducing the number of potential leak points.
• Wick-Feed Lubricator - Passive wick-feed design delivers consistent oil mist to downstream components at all flow rates within the rated range, with external adjustment control and no sight dome required.
• Piston-Type or Diaphragm-Type Regulator - Choice of piston regulator for high-cycle durability or diaphragm regulator for precise, low-hysteresis pressure control to match the sensitivity requirements of the downstream circuit.
• Self-Relieving or Non-Relieving Regulator - Self-relieving option automatically vents excess downstream pressure when the set point is reduced; non-relieving retains downstream pressure for applications prohibiting atmospheric exhaust.
• Polycarbonate or Aluminum Bowl - Polycarbonate bowl enables visual inspection of condensate accumulation and is rated to 150 psig and 125 degrees F; aluminum bowl extends capability to 200 psig and 150 degrees F.
• Automatic or Manual Drain - Automatic drain operates continuously without operator action; manual drain provides deliberate control over condensate discharge timing.
• Inline Mounting - Designed for direct inline installation in compressed air supply lines with a body-marked flow direction indicator for correct installation orientation.
• Standard Pressure Gauge - Integral pressure gauge displays regulated output pressure at the unit, eliminating the need for a separate downstream gauge for commissioning and monitoring.

Technical Specifications

General Specifications

Certifications & Compliance

Typical Applications & Industries

Medical Device and Laboratory Equipment

• Laboratory automation instruments requiring clean, precisely regulated air supply at 1/8" or 1/4" connections, with the diaphragm regulator option providing low hysteresis for sensitive pressure control.
• Medical device assembly equipment using small pneumatic actuators where a compact FRL at the point of use prevents system-level contamination from affecting product quality.
• Dental equipment compressor systems where a miniature FRL conditions air at the handpiece supply connection to remove moisture and particles.

Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing

• PCB assembly machines and SMT pick-and-place heads requiring clean, regulated, lubricated air at miniature port connections.
• Semiconductor wafer handling equipment with small-bore pneumatic grippers and vacuum generators where point-of-use air conditioning at 1/8" connections eliminates contamination risk.
• Test and measurement equipment compressed air supplies where the miniature FRL conditions air for pneumatic test fixtures without intruding on tightly spaced instrument layouts.

Assembly Automation and Material Handling

• End-of-arm tooling on small industrial robots and cobots where weight and physical size limitations restrict component selection to the smallest viable FRL assembly.
• Vibratory feeder and parts orientation systems using regulated air at 1/4" supplies to maintain consistent part feed rates.
• Pneumatic screw driver and nut runner systems in light assembly operations requiring regulated, lubricated air at each tool connection point.

Packaging and Food Processing

• Small-format packaging machines, label applicators, and blister pack stations where a compact inline FRL conditions air at the machine module without requiring central air system upgrades.
• Food and beverage filling equipment secondary air circuits, using the aluminum bowl for elevated ambient temperature environments near heat-processing zones.
• Pharmaceutical blister packaging and cartoning machines with small pneumatic actuators requiring clean, regulated, lubricated air.

Pneumatic Tool and Maintenance Applications

• Handheld air tools including pencil grinders, detail polishers, and pneumatic scribers requiring a miniature inline FRL at the quick-disconnect hose connection.
• Maintenance air drops in facilities where individual point-of-use FRL conditioning prevents cross-contamination between tools and reduces tool wear.

OEM Machine Building

• Original equipment manufacturer applications where the Miniature Series simplifies Bill of Materials by replacing three separate FRL components with a single configured assembly.
• Control cabinet air preparation for pneumatic positioners, actuators, and pilot valve supplies where compact footprint and easy access to gauge and drain are required.

Ordering and Model Number Configuration

The ROSS Miniature Series FRL combo is configured by selecting port size, bowl material, drain type, regulator type, and regulator function. Contact ROSS Controls at (800) 438-7677 or visit rosscontrols.com for the online configurator and model number generation.

Specify port size (1/8" or 1/4"), bowl material (polycarbonate or aluminum), drain type (automatic or manual), regulator type (piston or diaphragm), and regulator function (self-relieving or non-relieving) when ordering.

NPT thread is standard. Confirm G (BSPP) thread availability with ROSS Controls at time of order.

For applications requiring only filtration and regulation without lubrication, refer to ROSS Controls 64 Miniature Series integrated filter/regulator.

For applications requiring individual modular FRL components that can be stacked and reconfigured, refer to the ROSS Controls 145 Bantam Series modular FRL.

Accessories

Mounting Brackets

Mounting brackets compatible with the Miniature Series FRL allow secure panel, wall, or pipe-stand installation. Contact ROSS Controls for compatible bracket model numbers.

Replacement Filter Elements

Replacement filter elements for the Miniature Series filter bowl are available to maintain rated filtration performance. Replace on a scheduled interval or when elevated differential pressure is observed.

Replacement Bowls and Seals

Replacement polycarbonate and aluminum bowls with associated seals are available as service parts for the Miniature Series.

Related Products & Accessories

• 64 Miniature Series Integrated Filter/Regulator - Standalone Miniature Series filter/regulator for applications requiring filtration and regulation without lubrication. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/64-miniature-series
• 105 Miniature Series Lubricator - Standalone Miniature Series inline lubricator for applications requiring lubrication independent of a filter/regulator combo. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/105-miniature-series
• 139 Bantam Series FRL Combo - Bantam Series Filter/Regulator and Lubricator combo at similar port sizes with alternate construction options. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/139-bantam-series
• 141 Mid-Size Series FRL Combo - Mid-Size FRL combo for port sizes 1/4" to 1/2" and higher flow requirements with modular mounting. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/141-mid-size-series
• 145 Bantam Series Modular FRL - Modular individual Filter, Regulator, and Lubricator units for applications requiring separate modular component selection and stacking. https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/series/145-bantam-series

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the Miniature Series and what does it do?

A: The Miniature Series is a single inline assembly that combines a particulate filter, a pressure regulator, and a wick-feed lubricator. It removes contamination from the compressed air supply, reduces inlet pressure to the regulated downstream value, and delivers a metered oil mist to protect pneumatic components from wear.

Q: What port sizes are available?

A: The Miniature Series is available in 1/8" and 1/4" port sizes.

Q: What is the maximum rated flow?

A: The Miniature Series is rated for maximum flow of 23 scfm (651 l/min).

Q: What bowl materials are available and how do they differ?

A: The polycarbonate bowl is rated to 150 psig (10 bar) and 125 degrees F (52 degrees C) and provides visual condensate level monitoring. The aluminum bowl is rated to 200 psig (14 bar) and 150 degrees F (66 degrees C) for applications with higher pressure or temperature conditions.

Q: How do I choose between automatic and manual drain?

A: Select the automatic drain for unattended systems or high condensate environments, as it continuously removes accumulated liquid without operator action. Select the manual drain for low condensate applications or where scheduled operator maintenance is the standard practice.

Q: What is the difference between a piston and a diaphragm regulator?

A: A piston regulator provides stable pressure regulation with robust durability for high-cycle applications. A diaphragm regulator provides lower hysteresis and higher pressure sensitivity for fine pressure control applications such as instrumentation, positioner supplies, and precision pneumatic circuits.

Q: What does self-relieving vs. non-relieving mean?

A: A self-relieving regulator exhausts excess downstream pressure to atmosphere when the pressure set point is lowered, allowing immediate downstream pressure reduction. A non-relieving regulator does not exhaust downstream pressure; it is specified for closed systems where releasing air to atmosphere is not acceptable.

Q: What lubricant is compatible with the wick-feed lubricator?

A: Use petroleum-based oil with ISO 32 viscosity or lighter. Do not use synthetic ester-based or phosphate-ester-based lubricants, which are chemically incompatible with the nitrile seals used throughout the assembly.

Q: How is the output pressure set on the regulator?

A: Pull the regulator knob upward to release the lock, turn clockwise to increase pressure or counterclockwise to decrease, confirm the desired reading on the gauge, then push the knob down to re-lock the setting.

Q: Can this unit be used for modular gang mounting?

A: The Miniature Series is designed for inline mounting. For modular gang-mounting of individual filter, regulator, and lubricator components, refer to the ROSS Controls 145 Bantam Series modular FRL.

Q: How often should the filter element be replaced?

A: Replace the filter element when differential pressure across the filter rises noticeably above baseline, indicating that the element is saturated with particulate. In clean dry-air systems this may be annually or longer; in dirty or humid environments replace more frequently.

Q: Is the lubricator oil delivery rate adjustable?

A: Yes. The wick-feed lubricator includes an external oil delivery rate adjustment. Set it according to the oil consumption requirements of the downstream pneumatic components.

Q: What is the minimum operating temperature?

A: The minimum operating temperature is 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) for both polycarbonate and aluminum bowl versions. For low-temperature environments below this threshold, contact ROSS Controls for alternative air preparation solutions.

Q: Where can I download catalogs and installation instructions?

A: Product catalogs, data sheets, and installation instructions for the Miniature Series are available at rosscontrols.com. Contact ROSS Controls at (800) 438-7677 for product configuration support.

Installation & Maintenance Guidelines

• Mount the assembly with the bowl oriented downward for proper condensate collection and drainage.
• Align the flow direction arrow on the body with the compressed air supply flow direction before tightening port connections.
• Locate the unit where the bowl drain, lubricator fill port, gauge, and regulator knob are fully accessible for regular service.
• Apply thread sealant to pipe connections and tighten to the specified torque. Avoid overtightening polycarbonate bowl threads.
• Verify that the supply inlet pressure does not exceed 150 psig for polycarbonate bowls or 200 psig for aluminum bowls.
• Confirm that supply air temperature remains within the specified range for the bowl material: 40 to 125 degrees F for polycarbonate, 40 to 150 degrees F for aluminum.
• Fill the lubricator bowl with the appropriate petroleum-based ISO 32 oil before initial start-up.
• After installation, pressurize the system slowly and inspect all connections, bowl seal, and drain valve with a leak detection solution.
• Set regulated output pressure by pulling the adjustment knob up to unlock, rotating to the desired setting on the gauge, and pushing down to lock.
• Drain the filter bowl regularly; confirm automatic drain function at each inspection.
• Monitor the lubricator oil level and refill before the level drops to minimum.
• Replace the filter element on schedule or when increased differential pressure is observed across the filter.

Warranty & Global Support

ROSS Controls provides a one-year warranty on all products covering defects in material and workmanship from the date of purchase.

Technical support is available through ROSS Controls USA at (800) 438-7677 or by visiting rosscontrols.com.

Global support is available through ROSS offices in the USA (Ferndale, Michigan headquarters), Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, United Kingdom, India, China, and Japan.

Contact ROSS Controls at (800) 438-7677 or visit rosscontrols.com for product configuration, replacement parts, and distributor referral.

Download Catalog: https://www.rosscontrols.com/en/documents