
The AirTAC Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB12X120U is a double-acting pen-size (mini) air cylinder with a Ø12mm bore and 120mm stroke. Its slim round barrel and back cover are stainless steel, the M5×0.8 ports keep plumbing compact, and the fast, low-friction piston suits high-cycle small-part handling.
The AirTAC PB12X120U is a JIS pen-size double-acting single-rod mini cylinder engineered for compact automation. It provides a theoretical push of 56.5 N and a pull of 46.7 N at 0.5 MPa. The slim SUS304 stainless steel barrel and piston rod offer reliable corrosion resistance in damp production areas, keeping end-of-arm tooling weight low. This specific configuration features a U back cover, orienting the M5x0.8 air inlet at a 90-degree angle for flat plumbing in space-constrained machinery.
With a 120 mm stroke and a 5 mm piston rod, this model operates at speeds from 50 to 800 mm/s. It relies on a fixed TPU bumper at each end to decelerate the piston over the final few millimeters of travel. Because the bumper is not adjustable, high-speed cycling with heavy tooling may require metering out the exhaust or adding an external shock absorber. The rod-end thread is M10x1.0 for secure load coupling.
| Model | Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB12X120U |
|---|---|
| Series | PB JIS pen-size mini cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø12 mm |
| Rod diameter | Ø5 mm |
| Stroke | 120 mm |
| Acting type | Double acting |
| Port size | M5×0.8 |
| Fluid | Air (filtered by 40µm element) |
|---|---|
| Operating pressure | 0.15 – 0.7 MPa |
| Proof pressure | 1.2 MPa |
| Temperature | -20 to +70 °C |
| Speed range | 50 – 800 mm/s |
| Cushion | Elastic bumper (both ends) |
| Max standard stroke | Up to 300 mm |
Specifications follow the official AirTAC PB pen-size datasheet. Piston rod and barrel are stainless steel. Confirm bore, stroke and back-cover option against the product label before installation.
| Pressure | Push force | Pull force |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 MPa | 56.5 N | 46.7 N |
| 0.7 MPa (max) | 79.1 N | 65.4 N |
Values are taken from the AirTAC PB thrust table. Because pull acts on the rod-side annular area, pull force is always lower than push. Actual usable force is reduced by friction — size with a margin.
| PB | JIS pen-size double-acting mini-cylinder series. |
|---|---|
| 12 | Bore size in mm. |
| ×120 | Stroke length in mm. |
| S | Built-in magnet for magnetic-switch position sensing (omit = no magnet). |
| CB / U / R | Back cover: CB double clevis, U 90° side inlet, R axial inlet (bore-dependent). |
Mounting accessories: LB, FA, CJ. Related PB-family variants: PSB (single-acting push), PTB (single-acting pull), PBD (double rod), PBJ (adjustable stroke), PBR (front-mount).
Advances a cutting tool guide along a 120 mm path to singulate printed circuit boards, utilizing the 90-degree side inlet to keep pneumatic tubing flush against the machine frame.
Tucks minor flaps on small packaging lines, where the 56.5 N push force at 0.5 MPa easily overcomes light cardboard resistance without crushing the carton structure.
Drives a precision pin block to deposit adhesive dots across a 120 mm span, benefiting from the SUS304 stainless construction to resist moisture in cleanroom environments.
If your application requires less force, the neighboring 10 mm bore provides 39.3 N of push at 0.5 MPa. Stepping up to the 16 mm bore yields 100.5 N of push for heavier payloads. Remember that a plain cylinder drifts when air is lost or the valve is centered, so an external rod lock is necessary for fail-safe position holding.
To order this configuration correctly, confirm the 12 mm bore, 120 mm stroke, and the U perpendicular 90-degree side inlet. This unit does not include a sensor magnet. The thin 5 mm rod is designed strictly for coaxial thrust, so over this 120 mm stroke, incorporate an external linear guide to prevent side-load damage.
Quick checklist
The PB12X120U generates a push force of 56.5 N and a pull force of 46.7 N at 0.5 MPa. At the maximum operating pressure of 0.7 MPa, the push is 79.1 N and the pull is 65.4 N. The operating pressure range is 0.15-0.7 MPa, with a proof pressure of 1.2 MPa and a speed range of 50-800 mm/s.
It uses a fixed TPU bumper at each end that decelerates the piston over the last few millimeters; it is not adjustable and not a locking brake. If cycling fast with real tooling mass, you should meter-out the exhaust or add an external shock absorber. Furthermore, the piston will drift if air pressure is lost, so an external stop is required to hold a load safely.
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