
The AirTAC Airtac SDA Ultra Thin Cylinder SDA12X20H is a genuine double-acting COMPACT (thin) air cylinder with a Ø12mm bore and 20mm stroke, M5×0.8 air ports and a riveted short body that saves mounting depth. Sensor slots around the body accept magnetic switches for position sensing.
The AirTAC SDA12X20H is a double-acting, single-rod compact cylinder engineered for exceptionally tight axial spaces. Utilizing a riveted body assembly, it drastically reduces mounting depth compared to conventional round-body actuators. This 12mm bore model generates 56.5 N of push force and 42.4 N of pull force at 0.5 MPa, making it suitable for light-duty positioning. The H designation indicates fluororubber (FKM) seals, providing enhanced thermal and oil resistance over standard NBR materials.
This specific SKU lacks a piston magnet, meaning it cannot directly host AirTAC reed or electronic switches for position sensing. End-of-stroke deceleration relies strictly on a fixed NBR bumper at each end, which is not an adjustable air cushion. Operating at speeds between 30-500 mm/s, the unit features a 6mm piston rod and M5x0.8 porting, offering a robust footprint for miniature automation assemblies.
| Model | Airtac SDA Ultra Thin Cylinder SDA12X20H |
|---|---|
| Series | SDA compact (thin) cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø12 mm |
| Stroke | 20 mm |
| Acting type | Double acting |
| Port size | M5×0.8 |
| Rod end thread | M3×0.5 female / M5×0.8 male (B) |
| Fluid | Air (filtered by 40µm element) |
|---|---|
| Operating pressure | 0.15 – 1.0 MPa |
| Proof pressure | 1.5 MPa |
| Temperature | -20 to +70 °C |
| Speed range | 30 – 500 mm/s |
| Cushion | Fixed NBR bumper (both ends) |
| Max standard stroke | Up to 50 mm |
Specifications follow the official AirTAC SDA compact-cylinder datasheet. Confirm against the product label before installation. Port thread: PT (standard). Rod: female thread (blank) / male thread (B).
| Pressure | Push force | Pull force |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 MPa | 57 N | 42 N |
| 0.7 MPa | 79 N | — |
| Max (@1.0 MPa) | 12 kgf | |
Actual usable force is lower than theoretical due to friction and back-pressure. Size with a safety margin.
| SDA | Compact (thin) double-acting cylinder series. |
|---|---|
| 12 | Bore size in mm. |
| ×20 | Stroke length in mm. |
| S | Built-in magnet for magnetic-switch position sensing (omit = no magnet). |
| B | Male-thread piston rod (omit = female-thread rod). |
Thread: PT standard. Related SDA-family variants: SSA (single-acting push), STA (single-acting pull), SDAD (double rod), SDAJ (adjustable stroke), SDAT (duplex), SDAW (duplex-end).
Ideal for small pick-and-place heads in electronics manufacturing, where the short 20mm stroke and compact riveted body minimize Z-axis height while accurately moving lightweight silicon chips.
Suitable for driving micro-valves or syringe mechanisms in analytical instruments, leveraging the FKM seals to resist chemical exposure and the 56.5 N force to dispense reagents reliably.
Deployed in small-scale testing fixtures to eject delicate plastic parts, utilizing the 6mm rod and fixed NBR bumpers to prevent harsh impacts at the end of the 20mm extension.
When sizing this 12mm bore actuator, consider stepping up to the SDA16 if your application requires more power, as the 16mm version provides 100.5 N of push force at 0.5 MPa compared to the 56.5 N offered here. As the smallest available bore in the series, there is no smaller SDA option. A practical computed insight for this model reveals a safe working load of approximately 34 N (about 60% of the 56.5 N figure), translating to a vertical lift capacity of roughly 2.9 kg when applying a 2:1 safety margin.
Because this is a double-acting cylinder, it does not inherently hold its load if air pressure is lost or the directional valve is centered; the piston will drift, and the fixed bumper only decelerates the stroke near its limits rather than locking it. For applications requiring suspended load security, an external rod lock or pilot-operated check valve is necessary. To finalize your order, confirm the 12mm bore, 20mm stroke, M5x0.8 port, female M3x0.5 rod thread, FKM seal option, and the absence of a piston magnet.
Quick checklist
This 12mm bore double-acting cylinder provides a push force of 56.5 N and a pull force of 42.4 N at 0.5 MPa. At 0.7 MPa, the push force is 79.2 N. The theoretical maximum push force is 12 kgf at 1.0 MPa. It operates within a pressure range of 0.15-1.0 MPa and a speed range of 30-500 mm/s.
No, this specific SKU does not include a piston magnet, so it cannot support AirTAC reed or electronic switches. You would need the SDA12X20HS variant to enable magnetic position sensing. Additionally, this model uses fixed NBR bumpers for end-stop deceleration rather than an adjustable air cushion.
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