Filter Technology

Inline Filter, Last Chance Filter and Silencer

The Schwer Fittings in-line filters and screw-in filters are safety filters of in-line design, used to protect critical system components. Critical components of a system are e.g. valves, cylinders, motors, swivel-joints.

In general, all critical components are those that contain dynamic seals. Impurities within the medium can cause increased wear due to abrasion, which can lead to leakage or system failure. In order to prevent this, further protection such as filters are highly recommended. If you need to help to decide whether or not to use a screw-in filter within your system, then please contact us.

Please note, that a screw-in filter does not replace the main filter of your system. These offer additional protection against residues of the manufacturing process (such as swarf, welding residue, aging media and particulate contamination), within the individual components. They also offer a protection against contamination which may arise, over time, from defective upstream components. These contaminants could lead to catastrophic system failure and unexpected, costly, downtime. Additionally contaminants can increase wear within the system, resulting in a shorter service life of the components.

The most commonly used types of filter are (Type of filter / Filter material / Filter unit):

Sinter filter / sintered metal / 1 µm up to 65 µm
Strainer filter / wire mesh / 15 µm up to 80 µm

Our filters are equipped with a wire mesh as a standard version and are therefore are strainer filters. Sinter filters are available on request. Please consider the characteristics of each filter type for individual use.

Characteristics

The advantages are accurate and absolute filtration, small dimensions and no flushing of filter particles. Wire mesh filters offer a greater flow than sinter filters. The disadvantage of using an in-line filter, is the lower dirt holding capacity than that of a sintered filter.

The following filter fine units can be delivered: 5 up to 500 µm. You should select the filter fineness depending on the component you wish to protect, and it’s sensitivity to the presence of dirt in the system.

The dirt absorbing capacity as well as the expected service life of the filters depends on the initial cleanliness of the system and also the amount of dirt being brought into to the system e.g. by upstream components. The filters have no bypass valves and must therefore be regularly maintained.