
The AirTAC Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB16X55U is a double-acting pen-size (mini) air cylinder with a Ø16mm bore and 55mm 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 PB16X55U is a double-acting JIS pen-size mini cylinder engineered for compact, high-frequency small-part motion. It utilizes a slim SUS304 stainless steel round barrel and piston rod, offering robust resistance in damp or mildly corrosive workspaces while keeping end-of-arm tooling exceptionally light. Delivering 100.5 N of push and 90.7 N of pull at 0.5 MPa, this 16 mm bore unit is driven through an M5x0.8 port and features a 55 mm stroke.
Because this configuration includes the U back cover, it provides a 90-degree perpendicular air inlet for flat, space-saving plumbing along the machine frame. Deceleration is handled by a fixed TPU bumper at each end rather than an adjustable air cushion. This bumper only absorbs the final few millimeters of travel, so when moving real tooling mass at higher speeds, you should meter-out the exhaust or install an external shock absorber.
| Model | Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB16X55U |
|---|---|
| Series | PB JIS pen-size mini cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø16 mm |
| Rod diameter | Ø5 mm |
| Stroke | 55 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 | 100.5 N | 90.7 N |
| 0.7 MPa (max) | 140.7 N | 126.9 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. |
|---|---|
| 16 | Bore size in mm. |
| ×55 | 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).
Pushes a localized support pin up against the underside of a circuit panel during routing to prevent vibration, utilizing the 90-degree side inlet to keep the pneumatic plumbing totally flush against the cramped machinery chassis.
Provides the 100.5 N clamping thrust at 0.5 MPa to hold a thin aluminum sealing die in place, while the SUS304 barrel withstands the humid environment of a thermoforming packaging line.
Actuates a lightweight pneumatic flap to redirect small plastic bottles on a conveyor, where the 55 mm stroke and fixed TPU bumpers reliably sustain rapid, high-frequency cycling at 50-800 mm/s.
When sizing this actuator, plan for a safe working load of roughly 60 N, which accounts for seal friction by applying a 60% margin to the 100.5 N theoretical push at 0.5 MPa. For vertical lifts, this equates to raising about 5.1 kg safely with a 2:1 gravity margin. If your application demands less force, the adjacent 12 mm bore provides 56.5 N push at 0.5 MPa; stepping up is not applicable as 16 mm is the largest in this series. To confirm your ordering essentials: specify the 16 mm bore, 55 mm stroke, M5x0.8 porting, the U 90-degree side inlet, and no magnet.
Keep in mind that a standard double-acting cylinder like this does not hold its position if air pressure drops or the valve is centered, as the piston will drift. The fixed bumper decelerates the rod near the stroke end but acts purely as an impact buffer, not a mechanical lock. If your process requires fail-safe load holding, you must integrate an external stop or a dedicated rod lock.
Quick checklist
At 0.5 MPa, this 16 mm bore double-acting cylinder provides 100.5 N of push (extend) and 90.7 N of pull (retract). At the maximum operating pressure of 0.7 MPa, the force increases to 140.7 N push and 126.9 N pull. It operates between 0.15-0.7 MPa at speeds of 50-800 mm/s.
The U back cover features a 90-degree perpendicular air inlet for flat plumbing along a frame. Instead of an adjustable air cushion, it uses a fixed TPU bumper at each end to absorb impact during the final few millimeters of stroke. For heavy tooling mass at high speeds, add an external shock absorber.
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