
The AirTAC Airtac TCL Triple Axis Cylinder TCL20X55S is a genuine JIS-standard guided cylinder with a Ø20mm bore and 55mm stroke on twin guide rods. Its integrated steel-ball linear bearing gives low-friction, high-precision travel — well suited to vertical lifts and high-load, high-accuracy moves, holding the tool square to ±0.06° of rotation without any external linear guide.
The AirTAC TCL20X55S is a JIS-standard guided twin-rod cylinder featuring a steel-ball linear bearing. A drive piston operates between two guide rods within a single integrated body, completely removing the need for an external linear slide. This double-acting actuator delivers 157 N of push force at 0.5 MPa using its Ø10 mm piston rod. The integrated guide unit provides a non-rotating tolerance of ±0.06°, keeping a gripper or work-plate perfectly square under an off-centre load.
Because the bearing uses steel balls rather than a plain brass sleeve, travel exhibits extremely low friction and high precision with no stick-slip, making it ideal for vertical lifts and high-cycle positioning. The body incorporates two independent 1/8" port groups on the upper face and side, allowing you to feed air from whichever direction is clear of obstruction. Stroke termination is absorbed by fixed rubber TPU bumpers at both ends, meaning there is no adjustable air cushion screw to set or maintain.
| Model | Airtac TCL Triple Axis Cylinder TCL20X55S |
|---|---|
| Series | TCL JIS guided (twin-rod) cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø20 mm |
| Stroke | 55 mm |
| Acting type | Double acting |
| Bearing | Steel-ball linear bearing |
| Port size | 1/8" |
| 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 |
| Non-rotating tolerance | ±0.06° (retracted) |
| Cushion | Rubber bumper |
| Max std stroke | Up to 250 mm |
Specifications follow the official AirTAC TCL/TCM series datasheet (JIS standard). Confirm against the product label before installation. Thread options: PT (blank) / G / NPT. Every TC model ships with a built-in magnet for sensor switches.
| Pressure | Push force | Pull force |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 MPa | 157 N | 118 N |
| 0.7 MPa | 220 N | — |
| Max | 32 kgf | |
Force is set by the bore and piston rod (Ø10 mm); the twin guide rods carry side load and torque, not thrust. Actual usable force is lower than theoretical due to friction and back-pressure.
| TC | Tri-rod (guided, twin-rod) cylinder, double acting. |
|---|---|
| L | Bearing: Steel-ball linear bearing (L = linear ball). |
| 20 | Bore size in mm. |
| ×55 | Stroke length in mm. |
| S | Built-in magnet (standard on TC) for a magnetic sensor switch. |
Sister type: TCM20X55 (brass sliding bearing, more impact/dust tolerant). Thread codes: blank = PT · G · T = NPT.
Using the 157 N of push available at 0.5 MPa, this cylinder elevates light composite panels in an assembly cell. The steel-ball linear bearing ensures smooth, stick-slip-free vertical travel, while the ±0.06° non-rotating tolerance keeps the lifting plate from twisting under asymmetric weight.
Moving a small welding clamp into position requires high repeatability. The twin guide rods carry the side load and torque of the clamp arm, eliminating the need for a separate rail, while the Ø10 mm piston rod provides the 118 N pull force at 0.5 MPa to retract the fixture safely.
Indexing sample trays in laboratory automation demands precise movement. The low-friction steel-ball bearing delivers accurate travel at operating speeds up to 500 mm/s, and the four sensor slots allow CS1 reed or DS1 electronic switches to confirm tray position from any face.
If you need to step down in force, the Ø12 bore provides roughly 57 N of push at 0.5 MPa, while stepping up to the Ø32 bore yields about 402 N, letting you tune the actuator to your exact load requirement. Choose the sibling TCM series instead if your application involves heavy radial impacts or dusty environments, as its brass sliding bearing handles those abusive conditions better than the steel-ball linear bearing. Remember that this cylinder does not hold its load if air pressure drops or the valve is centred; the rod will drift, so fit an external rod lock or pilot-operated check valve for fail-safe positioning. To replace this unit, specify bore 20, stroke 55, 1/8" PT ports, and the standard built-in magnet (S).
Quick checklist
At 0.5 MPa the cylinder generates 157 N of push force and 118 N of pull force. When pressure increases to 0.7 MPa, the push force reaches 220 N. The theoretical maximum force is 32 kgf at 1.0 MPa. The operational speed range is 30-500 mm/s.
No, the TC series uses fixed rubber TPU bumpers at each end to soften the end-of-stroke impact. There is no adjustable air cushion or cushion screw to set. This makes the cylinder straightforward to deploy, though you should control the approach velocity externally if the load is heavy.
Genuine AirTAC parts produced by AirTAC factory.
Covers non-human-caused product damage.
Standard models are processed and dispatched in 3-5 business days.
Most inquiries answered within 7-8 hours.
Send us the quantity and destination. We confirm price, stock and lead time — usually within 7-8 hours.