
The AirTAC Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB4X20 is a double-acting pen-size (mini) air cylinder with a Ø4mm bore and 20mm stroke. Its slim round barrel and back cover are stainless steel, the M3×0.5 (tube) ports keep plumbing compact, and the fast, low-friction piston suits high-cycle small-part handling.
The AirTAC PB4X20 is a JIS pen-size double-acting mini cylinder engineered for compact, high-frequency small-part motion. It delivers 6.3 N of push and 4.7 N of pull at 0.5 MPa, utilizing a slim round body with screwed-in covers. The piston rod is a slender Ø2 mm stainless steel component paired with a bronze barrel, making the assembly highly suitable for damp or mildly corrosive environments where larger actuators cannot fit.
Operating at speeds between 50-500 mm/s, this model features an M3x0.5 port that accepts a small tube fitting and an M4x0.7 rod-end thread. Because the bore is just 4 mm, there is no end cushion or bumper; the piston stops hard at the covers. This means you must meter-out the exhaust or externally slow the approach if moving any significant tooling mass to prevent impact wear.
| Model | Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB4X20 |
|---|---|
| Series | PB JIS pen-size mini cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø4 mm |
| Rod diameter | Ø2 mm |
| Stroke | 20 mm |
| Acting type | Double acting |
| Port size | M3×0.5 (tube) |
| Fluid | Air (filtered by 40µm element) |
|---|---|
| Operating pressure | 0.2 – 0.7 MPa |
| Proof pressure | 1.2 MPa |
| Temperature | -20 to +70 °C |
| Speed range | 50 – 500 mm/s |
| Cushion | No cushion |
| Max standard stroke | Up to 20 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 | 6.3 N | 4.7 N |
| 0.7 MPa (max) | 8.8 N | 6.6 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. |
|---|---|
| 4 | 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).
Drives a 2 mm tip to press delicate electronic clips into PCB sockets without overwhelming the fragile components.
Taps a sealed vial cap in analytical chemistry equipment, utilizing the slim bronze barrel to fit between dense reagent racks.
Pushes lightweight plastic moulded parts out of a tight inspection fixture, relying on the fast 50-500 mm/s response time.
When sizing this miniature actuator, plan for a safe working load of roughly 4 N, which is about 60% of the 6.3 N theoretical push at 0.5 MPa, ensuring smooth travel after accounting for seal friction. In a vertical lift scenario, this equates to lifting about 0.3 kg with a sane 2:1 safety margin. As the smallest bore in the PB family, stepping up to the Ø6 bore is your next option if you need more force, as it provides 14.2 N push at 0.5 MPa.
Because the rod is only Ø2 mm, it is built strictly for coaxial thrust; over the 20 mm stroke, any off-axis load demands an external linear bearing to prevent bending. A plain PB body does not hold its position if air pressure drops or the valve is centred—the piston will drift, so a separate external stop or rod lock is required for fail-safe holding. Confirm your ordering essentials: 4 mm bore, 20 mm stroke, M3x0.5 tube fitting port, no magnet, and default R axial inlet.
Quick checklist
The PB4X20 generates 6.3 N push and 4.7 N pull at 0.5 MPa. At the maximum operating pressure of 0.7 MPa, it yields 8.8 N push and 6.6 N pull. It operates between 0.2-0.7 MPa at speeds of 50-500 mm/s, with a proof pressure of 1.2 MPa.
No, the 4 mm bore has no cushion or bumper at either end, so external deceleration is needed for high-speed loads. This specific model also lacks the internal magnet, so it cannot be used with reed or electronic switches without changing the configuration.
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