
The AirTAC Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB12X20U is a double-acting pen-size (mini) air cylinder with a Ø12mm bore and 20mm 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 PB12X20U is a double-acting JIS pen-size mini cylinder engineered for compact, high-frequency small-part motion. It utilizes a slim SUS304 stainless steel barrel and piston rod, offering reliable durability in damp or mildly corrosive environments without adding unnecessary bulk to your fixture. Generating 56.5 N of push force at 0.5 MPa, this 12 mm bore unit is built for fast cycling.
This specific configuration features a U-type back cover, providing a 90-degree perpendicular air inlet for flat plumbing in space-constrained installations. It connects via an M5x0.8 port and an M10x1.0 rod-end thread. Deceleration is handled by a fixed TPU bumper at each end, which absorbs impact during the final millimeters of travel. Since there is no integrated magnet, position sensing is not supported on this variant.
| Model | Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB12X20U |
|---|---|
| Series | PB JIS pen-size mini cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø12 mm |
| Rod diameter | Ø5 mm |
| Stroke | 20 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. |
| ×20 | 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).
Actuates a routing blade fixture to singulate printed circuit boards, where the compact stainless body resists flux residue and the 56.5 N thrust cleanly pushes the separator.
Tucks minor flaps on small pharmaceutical cartons running at high speed, using the 90-degree side inlet to keep airlines flush against the machine frame.
Drives a micro-metering valve for reagent dosing, benefiting from the fixed TPU bumper to soften the 50-800 mm/s cycle impact at the end of the 20 mm extension.
If your application requires slightly less force, the adjacent Ø10 bore provides 39.3 N of push at 0.5 MPa; stepping up to the Ø16 bore yields 100.5 N for heavier tooling.
To finalize your order, confirm the 12 mm bore, 20 mm stroke, M5x0.8 port, and the U-type 90-degree side inlet. Note that a plain PB cylinder does not hold its position if air pressure is lost or the valve is centered, as the piston will drift and the bumper only decelerates near the stroke end. An external stop or rod lock is required for fail-safe holding. Additionally, the Ø5 mm rod is designed for coaxial thrust, so utilize an external guide or linear bearing to prevent side-loading over the 20 mm stroke.
Quick checklist
At 0.5 MPa, this 12 mm bore cylinder provides 56.5 N of push (extend) force and 46.7 N of pull (retract) force. 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 speed range of 50-800 mm/s.
The U-type back cover provides a 90-degree perpendicular air inlet, allowing airlines to route flat against the machine frame rather than sticking straight out. Impact absorption relies on a fixed TPU bumper at each end, which only decelerates the piston during the last few millimeters of travel. For high-speed cycles with heavy tooling mass, you should meter-out the exhaust or add an external shock absorber, as the bumper is not adjustable.
Genuine AirTAC parts produced by AirTAC factory.
Covers non-human-caused product damage.
Standard models are processed and dispatched in 3-5 business days.
Most inquiries answered within 7-8 hours.
Send us the quantity and destination. We confirm price, stock and lead time — usually within 7-8 hours.