Now in quadruple version

Pneumatic applications with ISO cylinders are indispensable throughout the industry. The demands placed on them in terms of design, stroke, maintenance and energy efficiency are constantly increasing. For this reason, SMC now offers its double-acting cylinders of the CP96 series in four new design variants - from the ISO standard and compact version to the ISO-oriented energy feedback variant and the energy-efficient compact version. The latter two versions represent a unique innovation with an overall reduction in air consumption of up to 48 %. Process engineers can thus select a solution optimally matched to their applications.

Whether in the automotive industry, machine tool manufacturing, material handling or general automation: pneumatic applications use ISO cylinders that ensure high process reliability thanks to comprehensive features. In addition to the basic functions, the catalogue of requirements is much more extensive and, depending on the application, includes a large number of different strokes, easy assembly even in confined spaces, uncomplicated maintenance and energy-efficient consumption. To meet these requirements, SMC, the specialist for pneumatic and electric automation, now offers its double-acting cylinders of the CP96 series in four different versions.

Compact design offensive

The new design catches the eye at first glance: the tubing for the energy return is connected via three ports (retract, energy return, extend), which are located on the cover side and are thus immediately recognisable. While the standard version with a piston diameter of 63 mm is 14 mm shorter than its predecessor, the compact version has been shortened by another 29 mm (12 %). This also has a positive effect on the weight, which is 22 g (13 %) lighter with the mentioned piston diameter in the compact version. The CP96 series in small implementation thus offers unimagined flexibility thanks to the radical diet in length and weight. Process engineers can thus easily use the cylinder in areas where conventional ISO cylinders are too long. In addition, they are given the opportunity to create not only very compact but also particularly lightweight machine designs.

In addition, by reducing the number of grooves and bumps on the housing of the cylinder barrel, head and cover in all four variants, the CP96 series has a smooth surface - dust and other foreign matter settle less and are also easier to remove. This facilitates maintenance and improves process reliability. 

Comprehensive and energy-efficient

In the ISO standard and compact versions, piston diameters of 32, 40, 50 and 63 mm allow strokes of 25, 50, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500 and 600 mm - the latter only with piston diameters of 50 and 63 mm. Pneumatic and elastic damping takes place when the piston is extended. The two particularly energy-efficient versions (also available as standard and compact versions) allow strokes of 25, 50, 80, 100, 125, 160 and 200 mm with the aforementioned piston Ø - in this case the latter only with a piston Ø of 63 mm. Damping here is pneumatic and elastic when extending, and elastic when retracting.

A real highlight of the energy-efficient cylinders of the CP96 series is the energy feedback function. The technology used here allows the air of the working stroke to be used for the return stroke of the cylinder, which reduces the overall air consumption by up to 48 %. This not only saves costs, but is also good for the environment thanks to lower energy consumption, which leads to fewer CO2 emissions. The minimum and maximum operating pressures here are 0.4 and 0.7 MPa respectively - for the versions without energy recirculation, these are 0.05 and 1.0 MPa.

Multiple mounting options

Project engineers have a wide range of options for mounting the new CP96 series cylinders. The two versions without energy feedback can be mounted as a basic version, with flange at the rear and with swivel and fork mounting - the standard version also has mounting with foot and with flange at the front. The cylinders with energy feedback can both be mounted as a basic version and with a flange at the rear - as a standard version additionally with a foot and with a flange at the front.

With both of the latter variants, it should be noted on the one hand that the installation direction must be horizontal or vertical, as the cylinders only work with the extension stroke and the retraction stroke only takes place with low pressure or low force. On the other hand, the compact version with energy feedback only partially complies with ISO standard 15552 - the counterpart in standard version complies with the mounting dimensions of the aforementioned standard.