AirTAC Pneumatics
AirTAC DS1 Series Electronic Sensors
The AirTAC DS1 series is a solid-state electronic cylinder position sensor with NPN or PNP transistor output, offered in 11 sub-families and 297 SKU variants for magnet-fitted AirTAC cylinders.
inventory_2297 models availableSeries Overview
DS1 is AirTAC's electronic cylinder position sensor. It detects the magnet in the cylinder piston and switches a solid-state transistor output with no mechanical contact - the difference from the reed-type CS1, and the reason it suits modern PLC input cards that expect a transistor signal.
The line-up runs to 297 SKUs across 11 sub-families: DS1B (84 SKUs), DS1MN (53), DS1MP (40), DS1M (33), DS1H (21), DS1A (16), DS1E (15), DS1J (13), DS1F (8), DS1U (7) and DS1GP (6). Codes such as DS1MN020S06, DS1B1N020 and DS1B1PC08 carry an N or P in the output-type position of AirTAC's sensor ordering code, plus a 3-digit group (020, 030, 050, 100) and an S or A position with a trailing 2-digit number - each position is confirmed for your exact part rather than assumed.
Pricing runs from about $20 to about $132 with a median around $37 - roughly double the reed-type CS1, the honest trade for a contactless solid-state output. Electrical details such as supply voltage, cable length and protection rating are confirmed from the datasheet for your specific part; send us the code and we confirm before you order.
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Typical Applications
Assembly station end-of-stroke confirmation
On automated assembly fixtures, a DS1 sensor on the clamp cylinder confirms full clamping before the weld or press cycle starts. The solid-state output feeds a transistor PLC input directly, with no reed contact to wear out under millions of cycles.
Packaging machine cycle counting
Carton sealer and wrapper cylinders signal retract position to the machine PLC through DS1. High-speed packaging lines that cycle tens of thousands of times a day benefit from the contactless switching over a reed-type CS1 sensor.
PLC retrofit and new control panels
When an integrator specifies NPN or PNP transistor inputs on a new control panel, DS1 provides the matching solid-state sensor in both conventions across its sub-families, so one cylinder family can carry one consistent sensor type.
Conveyor divert and stopper cylinders
Stopper and diverter cylinders on conveyor lines use DS1 to report home position back to the sorter controller, keeping divert timing locked to the actual piston position rather than a timer.
How to Choose the Right Model
Start with the output type, and ask the PLC input card rather than the cylinder. In AirTAC's sensor code convention, N-coded variants (DS1MN, DS1B1N) are NPN and P-coded variants (DS1MP, DS1B1P) are PNP - not interchangeable, since a sensor of the wrong type simply will not register on the input card. Some sub-families (DS1B, DS1M, DS1A, DS1E, DS1H, DS1J, DS1F, DS1U) carry no N or P letter at all; send those codes to us and we confirm the output before quoting. If your control system does not specify NPN or PNP, the reed-type CS1 may be the cheaper right answer at roughly half the price.
The cylinder must be the magnet-fitted version - the sensor reads the piston magnet, so a non-magnetic cylinder cannot take one (steel-tube SGD, for example, cannot). Because matching a sensor head to a cylinder groove is a confirmed match rather than a lookup, tell us five things: the cylinder series, its groove or mounting style, the bore, the required output type (NPN or PNP), and the full DS1 code from your drawing if you have one. We confirm the exact variant and lead time by RFQ.
Quick checklist
- ✓ Required force at your working pressure
- ✓ Stroke and available mounting space
- ✓ Port / thread type (PT / NPT / G)
- ✓ Sensor / magnet option (-S)?
- ✓ Side load — consider a guided model
Frequently Asked Questions
We list 297 DS1 SKUs across 11 sub-families: DS1B (84 SKUs), DS1MN (53), DS1MP (40), DS1M (33), DS1H (21), DS1A (16), DS1E (15), DS1J (13), DS1F (8), DS1U (7) and DS1GP (6). Pricing runs from about $20 to about $132, with a median around $37 - roughly double the reed-type CS1, which is the price of the solid-state, contactless output.
Look at your PLC input card, not the cylinder. In AirTAC's sensor ordering convention, N-coded parts such as DS1MN and DS1B1N are NPN and P-coded parts such as DS1MP and DS1B1P are PNP. This reading is taken from AirTAC's sensor code convention (documented on the CMS/DMS/EMS record), so confirm it on the datasheet for your exact part. NPN and PNP are not interchangeable - the wrong type will not register. Sub-families with no N or P letter (DS1B, DS1M, DS1A, DS1E, DS1H, DS1J, DS1F, DS1U) are confirmed with us before ordering.
Three conditions: the cylinder must be the magnet-fitted version, it must have a sensor groove or mounting position that accepts the DS1 head, and the sensor code positions (the 020/030/050/100 group, the S or A position, the trailing 2-digit number and any C in codes like DS1AC08 or DS1B1PC08) must match your cylinder. We hold no published DS1-to-cylinder fit table, so send us the cylinder series, its groove or mounting style and the bore, and we confirm the exact sensor by RFQ.
DS1 switches a solid-state transistor output with no mechanical contact - what a modern PLC input card usually expects. CS1 gives a contact output and costs roughly half. If your control system specifies NPN or PNP, DS1 is the match; if it accepts a simple contact signal and budget leads, CS1 may be the cheaper right answer. All parts are genuine AirTAC, listed and orderable, with lead time confirmed on request.
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Covers non-human-caused product damage.
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Standard models usually ship in 3-4 days.
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