MicroAir II — Contact Controlled Pressure Regulator

The two major types are relieving and non-relieving pressure regulators. Relieving regulators can vent excess downstream pressure, while non-relieving regulators do not vent and rely on downstream demand changes. MicroAir regulators are specialized ultra-low air pressure controls for plastic tubing extrusion, designed for very small pressure ranges and stable, responsive operation.

Residential water pressure regulators are commonly set around 40 to 60 psi, depending on plumbing requirements. MicroAir II is different: it regulates ultra-low air pressure for extrusion processes, with available ranges from as low as 0–2 inches of water up to 0–5 psi. The correct setting depends on the tubing material, line speed, tooling, and required diameter stability.

MicroAir II is used to provide internal air support during free extrusion of plastic tubing and profiles. It helps manufacturers control tubing outside diameter by regulating extremely low air pressure with stable, instant response. Common applications include medical tubing, catheter tubing, plastic straws, automotive tubing, and other precision extruded plastic profiles.

MicroAir II includes up/down buttons and accepts contact closure input, making it suitable for production lines that need simple remote pressure adjustment. This contact controlled design allows operators or connected equipment to increase or decrease pressure without manual knob-only adjustment, supporting repeatable production changes and better control during extrusion runs.

MicroAir products are available in ranges from as low as 0–2 inches of water up to 0–5 psi. They are built for ultra-low air pressure applications where standard industrial regulators may be too coarse or unstable. Single channel, dual channel, three-channel, and four-channel configurations are available for different extrusion line setups.

MicroAir regulators are designed so no calibration is required, reducing maintenance work for production teams. Their stable, hysteresis-free operation and instant response to changes in air flow make them practical for continuous extrusion environments. Routine installation checks and proper maintenance are still recommended to keep performance consistent over the unit’s long lifespan.

Yes, MicroAir units under 10 years old can usually be serviced, often in one day after they are received and tested. Older units can be sent in for evaluation, but units with serial numbers lower than 7000 are not repairable because the internal body is typically worn out after about 20 years of use.

Yes. On Line Controls, Inc. sells MicroAir regulators directly worldwide and ships by UPS, DHL, or FedEx. The units are manufactured in the United States at the company’s Shrewsbury, Massachusetts facility, and CE compliant options support international shipping needs for manufacturers in markets across North America, Europe, and Asia.