SMC IDW Series Heatless Desiccant Air Dryer (Discontinued) - Regenerative, 4-365 scfm, ISO 8573-1 Class 3+ - Replacement
This product line has been discontinued by SMC.
The SMC IDW Series heatless regenerative desiccant dryers - including the base dryers, US001 packaged kits, PPK service kits, DF desiccant cartridges, and PD accessories - are no longer in production. Automation Distribution can match your exact IDW part number to a current SMC air dryer and support units still in service.
Request an IDW Cross-Reference →What the SMC IDW Series Was
The SMC IDW Series was a compact heatless regenerative desiccant air dryer built for North American use. A heatless design alternates between two desiccant columns: while one column adsorbs water vapor from the incoming compressed air, a small portion of that dried air is diverted to regenerate the second column. The columns switch on a timed cycle, so the dryer delivers continuous dry air with no heater and no electric control board required.
The line covered nominal flows from roughly 4 to 365 scfm (the numeric designation in the part number indicates nominal capacity - IDW110N is approximately 110 scfm). It produced atmospheric dew points of -22°F (-30°C) and below, with a -40°F (-40°C) pressure dew point standard configurable down to -100°F (-73°C), meeting ISO 8573-1 moisture Class 3 and better. That level of dryness is what desiccant technology is for: instrumentation, critical pneumatics, outdoor or sub-freezing air lines, and any process where condensation cannot be tolerated.
Finding your replacement
There is no single drop-in successor for the IDW Series - the right replacement depends on the dew point and flow your application actually needs. Match by requirement:
- You still need genuinely dry air (low dew point, ISO Class 3+): send us your IDW part number for a current SMC regenerative desiccant cross-reference.
- General industrial air (tools, cylinders, valves): the SMC IDF Series refrigerated dryers reach dew points around 37°F and are the standard choice.
- Point-of-use drying at a single machine or instrument: the SMC IDG Series membrane dryers dry down to roughly -44°F with no electrical power.
Reading an IDW Part Number
The retired IDW catalog breaks into a handful of part-number families. Identify what you have before requesting a cross-reference:
| Part-number family | What it is |
|---|---|
| IDW##N (e.g. IDW110N, IDW300N) |
Base heatless regenerative dryer. The number is the nominal flow in scfm; the trailing suffix (-D, -L, -DL, -PANEL) denotes build and mounting options. |
| IDW##N-US001 | Packaged dryer kit - dryer supplied with heater, water separator / pre-filter, and mounting bracket as a complete assembly. |
| IDW-PPK## | Periodic parts (service) kits - the scheduled-maintenance consumables for a given dryer size. |
| IDWC##DF-12000 / -24000 | Desiccant cartridge / fill service items. The -12000 and -24000 indicate the maintenance interval in operating hours, not a voltage. |
| IDW-PD... / IDWPD... | Power, cord, DIN, and mounting accessories for the dryers. |
Not sure what a suffix means on your unit? Send us the full part number and we will decode it and match a current equivalent.
Typical IDW Series Specifications
Representative values for the series. Exact figures varied by model and configuration.
| Drying technology | Heatless twin-column regenerative desiccant |
| Nominal flow range | Approx. 4 to 365 scfm (by model) |
| Standard pressure dew point | -40°F (-40°C); configurable to -100°F (-73°C) |
| Atmospheric dew point | -22°F (-30°C) and below |
| Air quality | ISO 8573-1 moisture Class 3 and better |
| Max. inlet air temperature | 122°F (50°C) |
| Regeneration | Purge-based, timed cycle - no heater, no electric control board |
| Configured for | North American installation |
Choosing a Current SMC Air Dryer
SMC still offers a full range of compressed air drying technologies. The three families cover different dew point and installation needs:
| Technology | Typical dew point | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Desiccant (regenerative) |
-40°F and below | The IDW replacement path. Instrumentation, critical pneumatics, outdoor / sub-freezing lines. Contact us for a current cross-reference. |
| Refrigerated SMC IDF Series |
Around 37°F | Most general industrial air - powering tools, cylinders, and valves where ultra-dry air is not required. Shop IDF dryers. |
| Membrane SMC IDG Series |
To roughly -44°F | Compact, power-free, point-of-use drying at a single machine or instrument. Shop IDG dryers. |
Specifying Air Drying in a New Design
If you are building a new machine or panel, do not design it around the IDW Series - it is out of production and its service parts are winding down. Specify from SMC's current air-prep range instead:
- Need Class 3+ dry air at low dew points? Contact us to spec a current SMC regenerative desiccant dryer sized to your flow.
- General plant air? Standardize on the IDF Series refrigerated dryers.
- Drying one instrument or a small skid? The IDG Series membrane dryers install inline with no power.
For a full compressed-air treatment train - filtration, regulation, and drying - our team can specify and build the assembly. Reach out before you lock the BOM.
Keeping an Existing IDW Dryer in Service
If you have an IDW dryer already installed and it is doing its job, you do not have to replace it today. The scheduled-maintenance items - PPK service kits, DF desiccant cartridges (12,000 and 24,000-hour intervals), and PD accessories - are also discontinued, so remaining availability is limited and shrinking. If you want to keep a unit running through its useful life, contact us to check availability on the consumables you will need and to plan the eventual replacement before parts run out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SMC IDW Series discontinued?
Yes. SMC has discontinued the IDW heatless regenerative desiccant dryer line, along with its US001 packaged kits, PPK service kits, DF desiccant cartridges, and PD accessories.
What replaces the SMC IDW desiccant dryer?
There is no single drop-in successor. The right replacement depends on your required dew point and flow. For genuinely dry air (ISO 8573-1 Class 3+), send us your IDW part number for a current SMC regenerative desiccant cross-reference. For general industrial air, the SMC IDF Series refrigerated dryers are the standard choice; for point-of-use drying, the SMC IDG Series membrane dryers.
Can I still get IDW service kits and desiccant cartridges?
Remaining stock of PPK service kits and DF desiccant cartridges is limited because these items are also discontinued. Contact us with your dryer's part number and we will confirm what is still available and help you plan ahead.
What is the difference between the IDW, IDF, and IDG dryers?
All three remove moisture from compressed air but reach very different dew points. Desiccant (the IDW's technology) delivers the lowest dew points, -40°F and below, for critical applications. Refrigerated (IDF) reaches around 37°F and suits most general industrial use. Membrane (IDG) is a compact, power-free option for drying at a single point of use.
How do I find the right replacement for my IDW part number?
Send us the complete IDW part number, your required flow (scfm), and your target dew point. As an authorized SMC distributor, Automation Distribution will match it to a current SMC air dryer and quote the equivalent.
Cross-reference your IDW dryer
Send us your IDW part number and we will match a current SMC air dryer, confirm service-part availability, and quote it. Authorized SMC distributor.
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