
The AirTAC TCM Triple Axis Cylinder TCM16X5S is a genuine JIS-standard guided cylinder with a Ø16mm bore and 5mm stroke on twin guide rods. Its integrated brass sliding bearing gives high radial-load and impact resistance — about double the horizontal impact tolerance of a plain cylinder, holding the tool square to ±0.09° of rotation without any external linear guide.
The AirTAC TCM16X5S is a JIS-standard twin-rod guided cylinder with a brass sliding bearing, operating double-acting via air on both extend and retract strokes. An integrated drive piston runs between two guide rods, eliminating the need for an external linear rail while preventing rotation under offset loads. Delivering 101 N of push and 75 N of pull at 0.5 MPa, this 16 mm bore variant is built for compact tasks requiring precise lateral stability. The Ø8 mm piston rod and M5x0.8 port keep the envelope small while maintaining adequate airflow for rapid motion.
Designed for harsh environments, the brass sliding bearing shrugs off dust, grit, and coolant where a steel-ball guide would jam, offering roughly double the horizontal impact resistance of a plain cylinder. The non-rotating tolerance is ±0.09°, keeping a gripper or blade square even when side-loaded. Stroke termination uses a fixed TPU rubber bumper at each end to soften impacts; there is no adjustable air cushion screw to set. The standard built-in magnet works with CS1 reed or DS1 electronic switches across four sensor slots, and the PT thread form suits standard tapered pneumatic plumbing.
| Model | Airtac TCM Triple Axis Cylinder TCM16X5S |
|---|---|
| Series | TCM JIS guided (twin-rod) cylinder |
| Bore size | Ø16 mm |
| Stroke | 5 mm |
| Acting type | Double acting |
| Bearing | Brass sliding bearing |
| Port size | M5×0.8 |
| 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 | ±0.09° (retracted) |
| Cushion | Rubber bumper |
| Max std stroke | Up to 200 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 | 101 N | 75 N |
| 0.7 MPa | 141 N | — |
| Max | 21 kgf | |
Force is set by the bore and piston rod (Ø8 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. |
|---|---|
| M | Bearing: Brass sliding bearing (M = brass sliding). |
| 16 | Bore size in mm. |
| ×5 | Stroke length in mm. |
| S | Built-in magnet (standard on TC) for a magnetic sensor switch. |
Sister type: TCL16X5 (steel-ball linear bearing, lower friction & higher precision). Thread codes: blank = PT · G · T = NPT.
Diverts small components on a high-speed conveyor using 101 N of push at 0.5 MPa, where the brass sliding bearing tolerates the repetitive lateral impacts of redirecting parts without jamming.
Holds a cutting blade square against a circuit board edge with a ±0.09° non-rotating tolerance, using the integrated twin guide rods to resist deflection while trimming flash.
Pushes a sand-cast pin out of a mould in a gritty foundry environment, leveraging the 141 N of thrust at 0.7 MPa and the impact-tolerant brass bearing that shrugs off abrasive contamination.
If 101 N of thrust at 0.5 MPa is more than your layout requires, stepping down to the Ø12 bore yields 57 N of push, conserving space. For heavier gating, the Ø20 bore provides 157 N of thrust. Choose the sister TCL series with its steel-ball linear bearing instead of this TCM if your application demands low-friction precision or high vertical load handling rather than impact tolerance. To replace this exact unit, match the 16 mm bore, 5 mm stroke, M5x0.8 port, PT thread, and standard S magnet. Remember that a guided cylinder does not resist gravity on air loss; if the load must stay put during a pressure drop, fit an external rod lock or pilot-operated check valve, as the guide prevents rotation but allows drift.
Quick checklist
At 0.5 MPa, this 16 mm bore cylinder provides 101 N of push and 75 N of pull. At 0.7 MPa, the push increases to 141 N. The maximum theoretical force is 21 kgf.
No, the TCM series lacks an adjustable air cushion. Each end of the stroke is softened by a fixed TPU rubber bumper. There is no cushion screw to tune, ensuring simple setup in dirty environments.
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