Pneumatic rodless cylinders—also referred to as cylinder slides—are linear actuators designed without a protruding rod. Instead, they use a compact internal piston that travels inside a sealed actuator tube. This piston is connected to an external carriage, which moves in tandem with the piston to transport loads along a defined path. These systems are commonly used in automated industrial environments for space-saving, efficient motion control.
Applications of Pneumatic Rodless Cylinders
Rodless pneumatic cylinders are used to move items horizontally or vertically across factory floors and assembly lines. Their slim, rod-free design makes them ideal in settings with limited space. In addition to transporting components, they can also act as static mounting bases for tools or devices. In sectors like food packaging, these cylinders are often employed in repetitive pick-and-place operations due to their consistent motion and reliability.
Types of Pneumatic Rodless Cylinders
Magnetically Coupled Cylinders: These cylinders utilize powerful magnets to connect the internal piston with the external carriage. As the piston moves, the magnetic field ensures the carriage follows the same motion without any physical link between them. This design reduces wear and contamination risks.
Mechanically Coupled Cylinders: Featuring a direct mechanical connection between the piston and carriage, these systems use sealing bands within the actuator body to prevent air leakage and block contaminants. The robust design supports additional components such as sensors, brakes, and valves, offering more flexibility and load-bearing capacity for complex industrial tasks.
The SMC rod less cylinder has magnetically coupled uses industrial strength magnets located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. It is available in a standard or heavy duty magnetic ho
0.18 Map minimum operating pressure
Auto switch capable
The SMC CY3B rodless cylinder magnetically coupled uses industrial strength magnet located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. The CY3B series has resin based lube retainers installed on the dust seal to more evenly distribute lubricant for a reduction in minimum operating pressure. It has 70% longer wear rings will distribute a side load over a larger contact area for improved bearing performance.
Minimum operating pressure 0.12 to 0.16 MPa
Speed 50 to 500 mm/sec
The SMC CY1 series magnetically coupled rodless cylinders have a wide range of applications, and save mounting space. Loads and moments are possible through the use of integrated guides. A variety of guides can be used to achieve the necessary accuracy or allowable moment needed for your application.
Stable operation is possible even with an eccentric load, through the use of ball bushing
Auto switches can be mounted
The SMC CY1S Magnetically Coupled Rodless Cylinder uses industrial strength magnets located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. It is a one piece unit integrated with slide bearings which provides lateral stability protecting it from side load impacts.
Improved stroke position reproducibility
Auto switch capable
The SMC MY1B series is a basic type mechanically jointed rod less cylinder. It can be combined with a variety of guide to accommodate condition.
Simple design
Space saving
High accuracy
The SMC rod less cylinder has magnetically coupled uses industrial strength magnets located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. It is available in a standard or heavy duty magnetic ho
0.18 Map minimum operating pressure
Auto switch capable
The SMC rod less cylinder has magnetically coupled uses industrial strength magnets located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. It is available in a standard or heavy duty magnetic ho
0.18 Map minimum operating pressure
Auto switch capable
The SMC rod less cylinder has magnetically coupled uses industrial strength magnets located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. It is available in a standard or heavy duty magnetic ho
0.18 Map minimum operating pressure
Auto switch capable
The SMC rod less cylinder has magnetically coupled uses industrial strength magnets located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. It is available in a standard or heavy duty magnetic ho
0.18 Map minimum operating pressure
Auto switch capable
The SMC rod less cylinder has magnetically coupled uses industrial strength magnets located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. It is available in a standard or heavy duty magnetic ho
0.18 Map minimum operating pressure
Auto switch capable
The SMC CY3B is a basic type of the magnetically coupled rod less cylinder with improved bearing performance.
Improved lubrication by using a lubretainer
Reduction of sliding resistance
The SMC rod less cylinder has magnetically coupled uses industrial strength magnets located in the piston and external carriage to form a single unit that will travel when actuated with air pressure. It is available in a standard or heavy duty magnetic ho
0.18 Map minimum operating pressure
Auto switch capable