
The AirTAC Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB6X20RFA is a double-acting pen-size (mini) air cylinder with a Ø6mm 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 PB6X20RFA is a double-acting JIS pen-size mini cylinder engineered for compact, high-frequency small-part motion. It delivers a theoretical push of 14.2 N and pull of 10.6 N at 0.5 MPa. The slim SUS304 stainless round barrel and screwed-in covers provide excellent durability in damp or mildly corrosive environments while keeping end-of-arm tooling extremely light.
This configuration features an R axial air inlet for in-line plumbing and an FA mounting bracket for secure attachment. Air flows through an M5x0.8 port, driving the Ø3 mm piston rod with an M5x0.8 rod-end thread. A fixed TPU bumper at each end absorbs impact during transit, operating effectively between 0.15-0.7 MPa at speeds of 50-800 mm/s.
| Model | Airtac PB Pen-type Cylinder PB6X20RFA |
|---|---|
| Series | PB JIS pen-size mini cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø6 mm |
| Rod diameter | Ø3 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 60 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 | 14.2 N | 10.6 N |
| 0.7 MPa (max) | 19.8 N | 14.8 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. |
|---|---|
| 6 | 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 tiny vacuum nozzle in a tight electronics assembly cell, providing 14.2 N of extend force to pluck delicate components from tape-and-reel carriers.
Moves a micro-pipette head in a diagnostic analyzer, using the compact 20 mm stroke and SUS304 body to withstand humid, sanitized laboratory conditions.
Pushes small pharmaceutical vials into secondary packaging chutes, where the lightweight FA-mounted body minimizes inertia on high-speed indexing conveyors.
When sizing this actuator, plan for a safe working load of about 9 N, which is roughly 60 percent of the 14.2 N theoretical push at 0.5 MPa. This equates to lifting approximately 0.7 kg vertically with a sane 2:1 safety margin. If your task requires slightly less force, the Ø4 bore offers 6.3 N of push at 0.5 MPa; for heavier demands, stepping up to the Ø10 bore provides 39.3 N of push. Keep in mind a plain PB-type cylinder does not hold its load if air pressure drops 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.
Because the Ø3 mm rod is designed strictly for coaxial thrust, avoid side loading which can damage the slender piston over time. The fixed TPU bumper only decelerates the last few millimeters of travel, so if you are moving real tooling mass at higher speeds, meter-out the exhaust or add an external shock absorber. Confirm your ordering essentials: 6 mm bore, 20 mm stroke, M5x0.8 port, no sensor magnet, R axial inlet, and FA mount.
Quick checklist
This double-acting single-rod cylinder has a theoretical push of 14.2 N and pull of 10.6 N at 0.5 MPa. At the maximum operating pressure of 0.7 MPa, the push is 19.8 N and the pull is 14.8 N. It operates on filtered air between 0.15-0.7 MPa at speeds of 50-800 mm/s.
It relies on a fixed TPU bumper at each end to decelerate the piston over the final few millimeters, which is not field-adjustable. If moving real tooling mass at high speed, you should meter-out the exhaust or add an external shock absorber. Additionally, it does not hold its load on air loss or valve centering, requiring an external stop for fail-safe positioning.
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