You can expect a high level performance from your pneumatic air motor for many years as long as you use it correctly and look after it properly.
And the good news is, the maintenance isn’t difficult. Basically, there are two key elements to watch closely – lubrication and filtration. Get these two aspects right, and your pneumatic motor will live a long and happy life.
It is important to use the right oil to lubricate the air motor. An air motor is constantly generating cold from the pneumatic part due to the expanding air inside, so the oil must be sufficiently liquid to lubricate even when operating in very low temperatures. The viscosity and technical characteristics of the oil are therefore critical.
Use the wrong type of oil and there is a risk that it won’t lubricate all the necessary areas as required, or at least not enough. Sooner or later, this will result in a loss of performance – either reduced speed or start torque – and potential damage to the motor’s blades, or worse, to the cylinder (an expensive part to replace).
Good lubrication also helps to reduce the effects of possible humidity inside the motor by preventing, or minimising, the effects of corrosion.
If small particles of dust or metal get into the air motor, they can damage the blades and potentially destroy the surface finish of the cylinder. Installing a filter system just ahead of the air entry point reduces the risk of hard particles getting into the motor. If they do get in, the motor will lose speed, torque and therefore power. Replacing the filters of air motor is easy and costs very little, unlike replacing a cylinder, so keep an eye on their efficiency.
Finally, you need to bear in mind also the way in which you use the air motor. Ideally, it should be used regularly and for a long enough period that the oil has time to lubricate the motor.
If the motor is not used regularly, make sure there is plenty of oil inside before storing it away – again this will act against possible corrosion, particularly in humid environments.
Consider, too, the weight of the load put on the motor. If the load is too high, an air motor will stall before it can cause much harm. However, watch out for strong vibrations, as these impact on everything inside the motor – bearings, blades, and cylinder. Pneumatic motors used in an environment that vibrates have a significantly reduced life span.
Choose the right air motor according to the desired use is essential, I would recommend reading our guide on this subject.