
The AirTAC Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB12X170SU is a double-acting pen-size (mini) air cylinder with a Ø12mm bore and 170mm 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 PB12X170SU is a double-acting JIS pen-size mini cylinder engineered for compact, high-frequency motion. It features a slim SUS304 stainless steel round barrel and a 5 mm piston rod, delivering 56.5 N of push force at 0.5 MPa. The integrated U option provides a 90-degree side air inlet for flat plumbing, keeping the installation profile exceptionally low. With a 170 mm stroke, this model approaches the upper travel limit for the 12 mm bore, making it ideal for end-of-arm tooling where space is strictly limited.
Air enters via an M5x0.8 port, driving the piston at speeds of 50-800 mm/s. The -S suffix denotes a built-in piston magnet, allowing position detection using AirTAC reed or electronic switches. Deceleration at stroke ends relies on a fixed TPU bumper rather than an adjustable air cushion. Because the 5 mm rod is relatively slender over this 170 mm travel, maintaining coaxial alignment is critical to prevent side-loading and premature wear.
| Model | Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB12X170SU |
|---|---|
| Series | PB JIS pen-size mini cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø12 mm |
| Rod diameter | Ø5 mm |
| Stroke | 170 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. |
| ×170 | 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).
Extends a guide probe on an electronic assembly line, utilizing the 90-degree side inlet to keep pneumatic plumbing flush against the machine frame.
Pushes small components out of a vacuum tool at 50-800 mm/s, relying on the built-in S magnet to trigger an electronic switch for part confirmation.
Tucks minor flaps on a compact packaging conveyor where the 56.5 N push force easily overcomes light cardboard resistance.
This 12 mm bore generates 56.5 N push at 0.5 MPa. If you need less force, step down to the 10 mm bore (39.3 N push), or if your payload is higher, step up to the 16 mm bore (100.5 N push). When ordering, confirm the 170 mm stroke, the M5x0.8 port, the U 90-degree side inlet, and the S magnet requirement. Note that a plain PB cylinder does not hold its load if air pressure is lost or the valve is centred; the piston will drift, so an external stop or rod lock is required for fail-safe holding.
Quick checklist
At 0.5 MPa, the push force is 56.5 N and the pull force is 46.7 N. At the maximum operating pressure of 0.7 MPa, the push force is 79.1 N and the pull force is 65.4 N. The operating pressure range is 0.15-0.7 MPa, with a proof pressure of 1.2 MPa.
No, this model uses a fixed TPU bumper at each end to decelerate the piston over the last few millimeters. It is not an adjustable air cushion. For higher speeds with heavy tooling mass, you should meter-out the exhaust or add an external shock absorber to prevent bottoming out.
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