The FESTO LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A, Order Number 162713, is a compact filter regulator with pressure gauge designed for compressed air preparation in industrial pneumatic systems. It belongs to FESTO’s D series and is configured in the MIDI size, combining filtration, pressure regulation, condensate management, and visual pressure indication in a single unit. This model is built with a G3/8 port connection, a 40 μm filtration grade, and a fully automatic condensate drain, making it a practical solution for users who want stable downstream air pressure and cleaner air supply without adding unnecessary complexity to the pneumatic circuit.
In pneumatic automation, air preparation is not a secondary detail. The performance of valves, cylinders, grippers, and other actuators depends heavily on the stability and cleanliness of the compressed air supply. The LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A is intended to address exactly that requirement by combining filtration and regulation in one integrated assembly. FESTO specifies an operating pressure range of 2 to 12 bar, a pressure regulation range of 0.5 to 7 bar, and a standard nominal flow rate of 3200 l/min, which places this unit in a useful range for medium-duty industrial air preparation tasks.
Product Identity and Configuration
This product should be identified clearly by both its order number and model designation:
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | FESTO |
| Order Number | 162713 |
| Model | LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A |
| Product Type | Filter regulator |
| Series | D |
| Size | MIDI |
The table above reflects the official product identification used by FESTO for this exact model. The official product page classifies it under compressed air preparation products, specifically within the LFR/LFRS family.
Key Technical Specifications
The technical parameters below are based on FESTO’s official product datasheet for Order Number 162713:
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Filter regulator with pressure gauge |
| Order Number | 162713 |
| Model | LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A |
| Size | MIDI |
| Series | D |
| Actuator Lock | Rotary knob with detent |
| Mounting Position | Vertical ±5° |
| Filtration Grade | 40 μm |
| Condensate Drain | Fully automatic |
| Max. Condensate Volume | 43 cm³ |
| Bowl Guard | Metal bowl guard |
| Pressure Indication | With pressure gauge |
| Operating Pressure | 2 bar to 12 bar |
| Pressure Regulation Range | 0.5 bar to 7 bar |
| Max. Pressure Hysteresis | 0.2 bar |
| Standard Nominal Flow Rate | 3200 l/min |
| Operating Medium | Compressed air to ISO 8573-1:2010 [7:9:-], inert gases |
| Output Air Purity Class | Compressed air to ISO 8573-1:2010 [7:8:4], inert gases |
| Corrosion Resistance Class | CRC 2 |
| PWIS Conformity | VDMA 24364-B1/B2-L |
| Storage Temperature | -10 °C to 60 °C |
| Medium Temperature | 5 °C to 60 °C |
| Ambient Temperature | 5 °C to 60 °C |
| Product Net Weight | 900 g |
| Mounting Type | Line installation, with accessories |
| Pneumatic Port 1 | G3/8 |
| Pneumatic Port 2 | G3/8 |
| Housing Material | Die-cast zinc |
| Bowl Material | PC |
| Material Compliance | RoHS-compliant |
The official datasheet lists the product weight as 900 g, so this is a direct manufacturer value rather than an estimate.
Functional Characteristics
The LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A is designed as a combined filter and regulator, which means it performs two essential air-preparation functions in one body. First, it removes particulate contamination through its 40 μm filtration stage. Second, it reduces and stabilizes downstream pressure within the defined adjustment range of 0.5 to 7 bar. The integrated pressure gauge allows operators and maintenance staff to monitor regulated pressure directly at the point of installation, which is especially useful in machines where stable working pressure is important for motion repeatability and component life.
Another important feature is the fully automatic condensate drain. In compressed air systems, moisture separation is only useful if the collected condensate is also managed effectively. By using an automatic drain design, this model reduces the need for frequent manual intervention and helps maintain more consistent operating conditions. FESTO also specifies a maximum condensate volume of 43 cm³, which gives a clear reference for the bowl’s moisture-handling capacity in regular service.
The rotary knob with detent is a practical design choice for industrial use. It allows the regulator setting to be adjusted and retained more securely, reducing the chance of unintended pressure changes during routine operation or service work. In real pneumatic systems, pressure drift caused by accidental adjustment can create unstable actuator behavior, inconsistent clamping force, or variable cycle timing. A lockable adjustment concept therefore has real operational value, even though it may look like a minor catalog detail.
Flow Capacity and Pressure Control
One of the stronger points of this model is its standard nominal flow rate of 3200 l/min. That places it in a capable position for medium-size pneumatic systems where smaller mini regulators would become restrictive. In practical terms, this means the LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A can support air supply for multiple downstream devices or for circuits with higher transient demand, provided the overall system is engineered correctly. The G3/8 inlet and outlet connections also match the product’s intended flow class and make it suitable for mainstream industrial pneumatic layouts rather than only light-duty bench systems.
The pressure regulation range of 0.5 to 7 bar is particularly relevant in factory automation because many cylinders, valve islands, and handling mechanisms operate comfortably inside that band. FESTO also specifies a maximum pressure hysteresis of 0.2 bar, which is a useful indicator of regulation stability. For users, that means the unit is not just reducing pressure; it is intended to do so with reasonably controlled repeatability, which matters when actuators must behave consistently from cycle to cycle.
Materials and Durability
From a construction standpoint, the LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A is built with an external housing made of die-cast zinc and a bowl made of PC, protected by a metal bowl guard. This combination gives the unit a more industrial structure than low-end plastic-bodied air-preparation components. The die-cast zinc body supports mechanical stability, while the metal bowl guard provides added protection around the condensate bowl area, which is useful in plant environments where accidental contact or minor impact may occur.
FESTO also specifies CRC 2 corrosion resistance, which indicates moderate corrosion capability for standard industrial environments. In addition, the product is marked as RoHS-compliant and PWIS-conforming to VDMA 24364-B1/B2-L, which can matter in manufacturing sectors where material compliance and contamination control are part of procurement requirements. These are not decorative specifications. They are practical indicators that the product is intended for serious industrial service rather than only light workshop use.
Installation and Operating Conditions
The official datasheet states that the recommended mounting position is vertical ±5°, and the product supports line installation as well as installation with accessories. This matters because filter regulators generally perform best when installed in the intended orientation, especially when condensate collection and drainage are involved. Incorrect installation angle can reduce drainage effectiveness or interfere with normal operation over time. FESTO’s clear mounting specification therefore provides more than a mechanical note; it is part of correct functional use.
The allowed medium temperature and ambient temperature ranges are both 5 °C to 60 °C, while the storage temperature range extends from -10 °C to 60 °C. FESTO lists the operating medium as compressed air to ISO 8573-1:2010 [7:9:-] and inert gases, with the note that lubricated operation is possible, but once lubrication is used, it should continue to be used. This is a standard but important pneumatic maintenance rule, because changing between lubricated and non-lubricated operation can affect seals and long-term performance.
Typical Use in Pneumatic Systems
Although the official datasheet is technical rather than promotional, the configuration of this product makes its intended use clear. The LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A is suitable for compressed air preparation ahead of valves, cylinders, grippers, air tools, and other pneumatic consumers that require a cleaner and controlled air supply. Its MIDI size, G3/8 connection, 3200 l/min nominal flow, and 0.5 to 7 bar regulation range indicate that it is well suited to machine-building, packaging equipment, automation modules, handling systems, and general industrial air-service installations where air quality and pressure stability directly affect equipment performance. This application reading is a grounded inference from the official specifications rather than a marketing slogan.
| Application Area | Practical Value |
|---|---|
| Machine Building | Stable regulated air for valves and actuators |
| Packaging Equipment | Cleaner air and visible pressure control |
| Factory Automation | Reliable pressure setting for repetitive cycles |
| Handling Systems | Supports consistent pneumatic motion |
| General Air Preparation | Combines filtration, regulation, and drainage in one unit |
Commercial Value and Selection Perspective
From a purchasing perspective, the LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A is attractive because it is a clearly specified FESTO product with a defined order number, exact pressure range, published flow performance, and direct official weight data. The 900 g product weight is useful not only for technical documentation, but also for freight estimation and stock planning. For spare-parts businesses and export trade, having an exact manufacturer weight is better than relying on third-party approximations.
This model is also a rational choice when users want an integrated air-preparation component instead of combining a separate filter and separate regulator. That reduces installation complexity and can help keep pneumatic layouts more compact and easier to maintain. In many industrial projects, the most practical component is not the most complicated one, but the one that provides the required function clearly and reliably. On that basis, the LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A remains a solid and usable choice for medium-size pneumatic preparation tasks.
Conclusion
The FESTO LFR-3/8-D-7-MIDI-A, Order Number 162713, is a compact and capable filter regulator with pressure gauge for industrial compressed air preparation. It combines 40 μm filtration, 0.5 to 7 bar pressure regulation, fully automatic condensate drainage, a 3200 l/min nominal flow rate, and G3/8 connections in a MIDI-size body. FESTO’s official datasheet further specifies a product weight of 900 g, die-cast zinc housing, PC bowl with metal guard, and operating suitability for compressed air and inert gases within the stated pressure and temperature limits.
For users who need a practical, well-defined, and industrial-grade air preparation component, this model offers a strong balance of airflow capacity, pressure stability, integrated functionality, and straightforward installation. It is a product designed for real pneumatic service conditions, not for decorative specification lists, and that is precisely why it remains commercially and technically useful.
