New ISO cylinders in fourfold design offer a world first

The new ISO cylinders of the CP96 series are available in four variants – in a compact version, especially small, and with energy return (see picture), a unique innovation. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

Across the industry, pneumatic applications with ISO cylinders are indispensable. The requirements placed on them are steadily increasing in terms of design, stroke, maintenance, and energy efficiency. Therefore, SMC now offers its double-acting cylinders of the CP96 series in four new design variants – from the ISO standard and compact versions to the ISO-based energy return version and the energy-efficient compact version. The latter two versions represent a unique innovation by reducing air consumption by up to 48% overall. Process engineers can thus select a solution that is optimally tailored to their applications.

Whether in the automotive industry, machine tool manufacturing, material handling, or general automation: ISO cylinders are used in pneumatic applications, providing high process reliability thanks to comprehensive features. In addition to basic functions, the requirements catalog is significantly more extensive and includes, depending on the application, a large number of different strokes, easy assembly even in tight spaces, straightforward 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 variants.

Compact Design Offensive

The new construction catches the eye at first glance: The tubing for energy return is routed via three connections (retraction, energy return, extension), which are located on the top side of the cover and are immediately recognizable. While the standard version with a piston diameter of 63 mm is already 14 mm shorter compared to the predecessor model, the compact version has been shortened by a further 29 mm (12%). This also positively impacts the weight, which with the mentioned piston diameter is 22 g (13%) lighter in the compact design. The CP96 series in a smaller implementation thus offers unprecedented flexibility thanks to the radical reduction in length and weight. Process engineers can easily deploy the cylinder in areas where conventional ISO cylinders are too long. Additionally, they gain the ability to design machines that are not only very compact but also particularly lightweight.

Furthermore, the CP96 series features a smooth surface due to the reduction of grooves and irregularities on the housing of the cylinder tube, head, and end cap in all four variants – dust and other foreign particles settle less and are easier to remove. This facilitates maintenance and improves process safety.

Comprehensive and Energy Efficient

For the ISO standard and compact versions, strokes of 25, 50, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, and 600 mm are possible with piston diameters of 32, 40, 50, and 63 mm – the latter only with piston diameters of 50 and 63 mm. During extension, the piston is pneumatically and elastically damped. The two particularly energy-efficient versions (also available as standard and compact variants) allow for strokes of 25, 50, 80, 100, 125, 160, and 200 mm with the aforementioned piston diameters – in this case, the latter only with a piston diameter of 63 mm. Damping here occurs pneumatically and elastically during extension, and elastically during retraction.

The real highlight of the energy-efficient CP96 cylinders is the energy return function. The technology used allows the air used for the return stroke of the cylinder to be reused for the working stroke, reducing overall air consumption by up to 48%. This not only saves costs but is also environmentally friendly due to lower energy consumption, leading to fewer CO2 emissions. The minimum and maximum operating pressures here are 0.4 and 0.7 MPa – whereas variants without energy return operate at 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 variants without energy return can be installed as basic versions, with a flange at the rear, or with swivel and fork mounting – the standard version also includes mounting with foot and flange at the front. The cylinders with energy return can be mounted as basic versions or with a flange at the rear – the standard version additionally with foot and flange at the front.

In both of the latter variants, it is important to note that the installation orientation must be horizontal or vertical, as the cylinders only operate with the extension stroke, and the retraction stroke occurs with low pressure or force. Additionally, the compact version with energy return only partially complies with ISO standard 15552 – the counterpart in the standard version conforms to the mounting dimensions of the mentioned standard.