How to install an air motor?
Installing your air motor
An air motor needs a certain amount of air and a certain pressure to function. Supply and exhaust hoses must therefore be properly dimensioned.
Air lines
Using air lines that are too long or under-dimensioned will result in pressure drops. As stated earlier in this guide, this means power losses. The exhaust line must have a larger dimension than the supply line. This is because the exhaust air occupies a larger volume than the supply air. For an inlet pressure of 6.3 bars (= 7.3 bars absolute) and an outlet pressure at atmospheric level (= 1 bar absolute) the volume increase is a factor of 7.3. In practice this means that if the same dimensions are used for inlet and outlet lines a back pressure is built up and the motor loses its efficiency
| Specification | Values | Chicago Pneumatic | ||||
| Model name | M16 | M25-M2501 | M39-M3901 | M84-M8401 | M180 | |
| Inlet connection | BSP | 1/8" | 1/8" | 1/4" | 1/4" | 3/8" |
| Inlet hose* | [mm] | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 13 |
| Inlet nipple diameter | [mm] | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9.3 |
| Outlet connection | BSP |
1/8" | 1/8" | 1/4" | 1/4" | 3/8" |
| Outlet hose* | [mm] | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 19 |
| Outlet nipple diameter | [mm] | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 17 |
Connection
Non-reversible motor
Clockwise rotation
Reversible motor
1 - Clockwise rotation | 2 - Anti-cockwise rotation
Air preparation
For optimum performance and maximum machine life we recommend the use of compressed air with a maximum dew point of +10°C. We also recommend the installation of a refrigeration-type air dryer. To ensure reliable service an air filter and lubricator (not mandatory if the motor is lubrication free) should be fitted into the inlet airline – within 5 meters from the motor. It is recommended that a pressure regulator is also incorporated into the air preparation package. This has the function of maintaining the desired working pressure and can be used to modify the output exactly to meet the needs of the application.
The filter shall remove solid particles larger than 15 microns and remove more than 90 % of liquid water.
Remember: when selecting an air preparation package, ensure all components have a flow.
Lubrication
| Lubricant quantity | Service life | Output power |
| mm³ oil m³ | hours | % |
| 50 | 1000 - 3000 | 100 |
| 10 | 500 - 100 | 100 |
| 1 | 200 - 500 | 90 |
| 0.1 | 100 - 300 | 80 |
| 0 | 10 - 30 | 30 |
Free vane motors Chicago Pneumatic air motors are available with lubrication free vanes as standard. If running a motor with 100% dry air and no lubrication, performance can be reduced by 5-15% at max. output depending on model. Free speed will be more affected, reduced by 10-30%. To optimize the service intervals for a lubrication free vane motor, use lubricated air if the application allows it.
Directional control valves
The symbols used to represent these valves on an installation diagram
Typical installation diagrams for air motors, together with their associated control valves, filters, regulators, lubricators and silencers.
- Filter
- Pressure regulator
- Oil fog lubricator
- Silencer
- 5/3 valve
- Air motor
- 3/2 valve
The direction of rotation is controlled manually by a lever-opened 5/3 valve.
The air preparation unit ensures that the motor is supplied with clean air and lubrication. The built-in pressure regulator can also be used to modify the output of the motor.
Installation examples
Accessories
Mounting flange and mounting feet
Mounting flanges is a Mounting solution for air motor which allow assembly of the motor perpendicular to a surface
A Mounting Feet is a Mounting solution for air motor which allow assembly of the motor parallel to a surface
How to install a mouting flange
Remove the spacer ring and the front part
Position the sealing ring - Use Molucote G68 grease
Tighten the flange on the ring gear to 14.75 ftlbs. Use Loctite 243
Silencers
The noise generated by an air motor is mainly caused by the exhaust air exiting the motor. The noise level increases with speed and is greatest at free speed.
All Chicago Pneumatic motors are supplied with a threaded exhaust port permitting a screw-in silencer to be fitted to reduce noise level. By fitting a hose between the exhaust port and the silencer the noise level can be reduced even further. The effect of employing the various silencing techniques is indicated in table 2. Note that a silencer may cause power losses if incorrectly sized.
| 0.36 kW motor No-load speed Anechoic room Interval of 1 minute |
Measure | Noise level dB(A) |
|---|---|---|
 |
None | 94 |
 |
Silencer only | 77 |
 |
Hose only | 84 |
 |
Hose with silencer | 75 |
On which markets are air motors used?
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