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 MY1C series mechanical rodless cylinder with cam follower guide has bore size of 16 mm. It has operating pressure from 0.15 to 0.8 MPa.
Makes smooth operation possible even with an off-set load
Applicable fluid air
The SMC MY1B Rodless Cylinders have a one-piece carriage and piston that runs its entire stroke length housed with an inner seal belt to maintain air pressure combined with an outer dust seal band to protect from contaminants. This design offers a compact footprint compared to rod-style cylinders and features a low profile.
Simple and space saving design
Auto switch capable
w/o Stroke Adjustment Unit
Mechanical joint rodless cylinder with cam follower guide
Bore sizes: 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63 (mm)
Strokes from 100mm through 2000mm depending upon bore size
With one or two stroke adjusters with or without shocks
Variety of switches and a variety of lead wire lengths
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 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 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
w/o Stroke Adjustment Unit
Mechanical joint rodless cylinder with cam follower guide
Bore sizes: 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63 (mm)
Strokes from 100mm through 2000mm depending upon bore size
With one or two stroke adjusters with or without shocks
Variety of switches and a variety of lead wire lengths