The AirTAC AirTAC SDA12X5SN Compact Cylinder | 12mm Bore is a genuine double-acting COMPACT (thin) air cylinder with a Ø12mm bore and 5mm 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 SDA12X5SN is a double-acting, single-rod compact cylinder engineered for exceptionally tight axial spaces. It generates 56.5 N of push force and 42.4 N of pull force at 0.5 MPa. The riveted unibody design drastically reduces overall length compared to conventional round-body cylinders, making it ideal for dense machinery layouts where every millimeter counts.
This 12 mm bore unit features a 6 mm piston rod and an M5x0.8 port. Equipped with an -S option, it includes a built-in piston magnet for position sensing via AirTAC reed or electronic switches. Instead of an adjustable air cushion, the cylinder relies on a fixed NBR bumper at each end to absorb end-stop impact. For high kinetic energy applications, consider adding external shock absorbers.
| Model | AirTAC SDA12X5SN Compact Cylinder | 12mm Bore |
|---|---|
| Series | SDA compact (thin) cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø12 mm |
| Stroke | 5 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. |
| ×5 | 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).
Drives delicate probe pins down onto printed circuit boards with precise 5 mm travel, utilizing the compact 12 mm body to maximize test fixture density.
Toggles small directional valves in lab automation equipment, where the 56.5 N force at 0.5 MPa is sufficient and the short axial length conserves instrument space.
Pushes miniature plastic or electronic components out of an assembly mold cavity, using the integrated magnet to confirm the ejection stroke.
Selecting this 12 mm bore model provides a safe working load of roughly 34 N (about 60% of its 56.5 N push capacity at 0.5 MPa), which translates to a vertical lift capability of approximately 2.9 kg with a 2:1 safety margin. If your application demands slightly more force, stepping up to the SDA16 increases the 0.5 MPa push output to 100.5 N. When ordering, confirm the 5 mm stroke, M5x0.8 port, female M3x0.5 rod-end thread, and the required -S magnet.
Keep in mind that a standard double-acting cylinder drifts when air pressure is lost or the valve is centered. The fixed NBR bumper only decelerates the piston near the stroke end and does not function as a locking brake. If your setup must hold a vertical load without live pressure, integrate an external rod lock or a pilot-operated check valve.
Quick checklist
This 12 mm bore 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 increases to 79.2 N. The theoretical maximum push is 12 kgf at 1.0 MPa. It operates within a pressure range of 0.15-1.0 MPa, a proof pressure of 1.5 MPa, and a speed range of 30-500 mm/s.
It uses a fixed NBR bumper at each end to decelerate the piston, which is not an adjustable air cushion. For high-speed cycling, external shock absorption is recommended. The -S option denotes a built-in magnet for use with AirTAC reed or electronic switches, enabling precise end-position detection.
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