AirTAC Compact Cylinders

This is the entry point to the AirTAC compact (short-body) air cylinder family: 17 series and 17988 published part numbers covering bores from 12 to 160 mm. Compact means the axial length is cut down. An ISO 21287 compact body such as the ACE or ACEJ is about 50% shorter than an ISO 15552 profile cylinder of the same bore, which is why these cylinders are chosen for length, not for bore. If axial space is not the constraint, the standard-cylinder family is usually the better buy.

The first routing question is what the machine should do when air is lost. Double-acting series (ACE, ACEJ, ACQ, ACQJ, ACPJ, SDA, SDAJ, TACE) hold neither end without pressure. Single-acting spring-return push series (ASE, ASQ, SSA) extend on air and retract on the spring, so the rod retracts when air is lost - the right choice where the safe state is open or released, such as clamping. Single-acting spring-return pull series (ATE, ATQ, STA) retract on air and extend on the spring, so the rod extends when air is lost - for the safe state extended or blocking. Both are called spring-return, so state the failure direction, not just the words.

The family spans four mounting standards: ISO 21287 (ACE, ACEJ, ASE, ATE, TACE), JIS (ACQ, ACQJ, ASQ, ATQ - the widest bore span, to 160 mm, with push force up to 10053 N on ACQ), DIN (ACPJ, 12-20 mm) and the thin riveted body (SDA, SDAJ). A J on the end means adjustable stroke: a stop screw trims an end position on site instead of ordering a different stroke, and the adjustable series carry most of the catalogue. Only TACE is non-rotating, with twin guide rods that keep the rod square under side load; every other series here is a plain single rod and can rotate.

Three legacy series are replaced and kept listed for field machines: ACP (DIN, double-acting) is succeeded by ACE, ASP (single-acting push) by ASE, and ATP (single-acting pull) by ATE. They remain searchable and quotable for maintenance; specify the successor for anything new.