Airtac MK Series Multi-position Locking Cylinder MK16X20
The AirTAC Airtac MK Series Multi-position Locking Cylinder MK16X20 is a genuine MK multi-mount cylinder (double acting), 16 mm bore. Its compact square body fixes from six directions and mounts side by side to save space. It delivers about 100.5 N of push force at 0.5 MPa. A bumper cushions the impact. As an MK unit a fixed rod stops the piston rod rotating.
- TypeMulti-mount, double acting
- SeriesMK (no-rotating)
- Bore16 mm
- Push thrust @0.5 MPa100.5 N
- Operating pressure0.15 - 1.0 MPa (22 - 145 psi)
- Port sizeM5x0.8
- CushionBumper
- MagnetWithout magnet
- ThreadPT
- No minimum order. A single piece can be ordered.
- Ready in 3–5 business days. That is the time we take to process the order and hand it to the carrier. Transit time after that depends on the destination.
About the Airtac MK Series Multi-position Locking Cylinder MK16X20
The MK16X20 is a compact square-body multi-mount cylinder that fixes from six directions - front, back, left, right, top and bottom - and mounts side by side where space is tight. It is a double acting, no-rotating cylinder with a 16 mm bore and 20 mm stroke, well suited to short-travel positioning where the rod must not turn. At 0.5 MPa it delivers a theoretical push force of 100.5 N (the pull side is slightly lower), cushioning is by TPU bumper, and magnetic-switch slots are formed around the body. It runs on air filtered to 40 um at 0.15-1.0 MPa and -20 to 70 C, at 30-500 mm/s.
This is a genuine AirTAC part. The MK family prevents rod rotation with a fixed rod, no-rotating plate and brass bushing (typical - see the datasheet for bore-specific detail), while the MD family is the standard version that allows rotation. This SKU has no trailing S, so it is supplied without a magnet; add the S version if you want position detection. We can confirm overall dimensions and sizing from the datasheet on request.
Airtac MK Series Multi-position Locking Cylinder MK16X20 Technical Specifications
| Model | Airtac MK Series Multi-position Locking Cylinder MK16X20 |
|---|---|
| Type | Multi-mount cylinder, double acting |
| Series | MK (no-rotating) |
| Bore | 16 mm |
| Push thrust @0.5 MPa | 100.5 N |
| Port size | M5x0.8 (PT thread) |
| Magnet | Without magnet |
| Fluid | Air, filtered to 40 um |
|---|---|
| Operating pressure | 0.15 - 1.0 MPa (22 - 145 psi) |
| Proof pressure | 1.5 MPa (215 psi) |
| Temperature | -20 to 70 C |
| Speed range | 30 - 500 mm/s |
| Cushion | Bumper |
| Mounting | Fix from 6 directions; mountable side by side |
Specifications follow the official AirTAC MD/MK multi-mount data. The front cover and piston are short, so avoid an over-long stroke. An optional high-temperature seal material extends the range to 0 to 150 C. Overall dimensions vary per stroke and allowable side-load is published as curves — ask us and we confirm from the datasheet.
How to choose
Choose the bore for force: at 0.5 MPa this 16 mm bore gives 100.5 N theoretical push (86.4 N pull), a step up from the 39.3 N of a 10 mm bore. Pick MK to prevent rod rotation, or the MD family if rotation does not matter. This model is double acting at 30-500 mm/s with a 20 mm stroke, inside the 50 mm limit for bore 16 - the short covers make it worth keeping the stroke no longer than the job requires. If you need a magnet, order the S version; ports are M5x0.8 with PT or G thread. For allowable side load, confirm from the datasheet or ask us.
Applications
Pick-and-place heads
On a small pick-and-place gantry, the no-rotating rod keeps a suction cup or gripper plate facing the part on every descent during the 20 mm drop.
Jig positioning
Bolted to the side of a welding jig, this cylinder extends a locating pin into a fixture hole; the no-rotating plate keeps the pin orientation repeatable.
Ejection on an assembly station
Units mounted top and bottom eject finished clips from a nest; six-direction fixing lets the cylinders share the same compact manifold plate.
FAQ
How do I decide between MK and MD in the multi-mount range?
MK is the no-rotating family - a fixed rod and plate stop the piston rod turning - so use it for pick-and-place, locating pins and anything with an asymmetric tool. MD is the standard family where the rod may rotate. Both are compact square-body cylinders that fix from six directions and mount side by side; only the rod rotation differs.
What should I check before mounting this cylinder six ways?
The square body fixes from front, back, left, right, top and bottom and sits flush beside neighbouring cylinders, but allowable side load and the exact footprint depend on the stroke you choose, so confirm them from the datasheet. Keep the stroke as short as the task needs - the short covers reward an under-stroke rather than an over-stroke.