Airpel-AB Air Cylinders (lowest friction)

The Airpel -AB Air Bearing Cylinder line features a specially shaped stainless steel piston that is precisely fitted to a borosilicate glass cylinder. The introduction of pressurized air into the air bearing’s cylinder creates a true air bearing airflow effect around the piston. With as little as 5 PSI of air applied to the cylinder, the same air that drives the piston also produces a stiff circumferential cushion of air to support the piston and prevent it from contacting the cylinder wall. The result is a frictionless air cylinder that delivers virtually unlimited piston life, no lubrication and super clean operation. Because the output force of this frictionless air cylinder is reduced only infinitesimally by movement of ultra-low friction ball joints used to connect the rod, the force can be controlled to very high levels of accuracy and resolution. READ MORE

These unique frictionless air cylinders provide the ultimate in accurate force pneumatic control for applications such as tensioning, counterbalancing linear actuator motor driven loads, and applying squeezing or holding forces to within 0.5 gm resolution. Airpel-AB air bearing actuators are available in metric models with four bore diameters and ten standard strokes to provide precisely repeatable driving or supporting forces from 2 grams to 58 kg. Operating temperatures range from -20 C to +90 C.

For more information on our air bearing cylinder products, contact us today! And please see us for all your other pneumatic actuator needs as well.

MODEL	MAB9 Configure	MAB16 Configure	MAB24 Configure	MAB32 Configure
Air Cylinder Type	Single Acting, Air Extend	Single Acting, Air Extend	Single Acting, Air Extend	Single Acting, Air Extend
Bore (mm)	9.3	15.9	24.0	32.5
Piston Area (mm²)	67.7	198	452	830
Maximum Push Force (N)	47.4	139	316.6	581
Maximum Pressure (MPa)	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7
Minimum Pressure (MPa) with Cylinder Horizontal *Note: Minimum pressure may be lower with short stroke units because of lower rod mass.	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15
Minimum Pressure (MPa) with Cylinder Vertical	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03
Maximum Leak at 0.2 MPa (Standard L/min)	5	6	9	14
Typical Leak at 0.2 MPa (Standard L/min)	3.5	4	6	10
Operating Temperature Range (°C)	-20 to +90	-20 to +60	-20 to +50	-20 to +40

Other Important Information:

Airpel-AB cylinders must be supplied with clean, dry, unlubricated air. Particle filtration to be 1 micron or better. A coalescing filter is required.
Airpel-AB cylinders are intended for use in straight line applications. Joints are provided to handle small misalignments, so take care to minimize parallel and angular misalignment.
Airpel-AB cylinders require external stops. Piston must not be used a stop in either direction.
Because of the frictionless motion, Airpel-AB cylinders can be used at high speeds. Very high speeds in the extending direction can reduce the air bearing effect, possibly causing the piston to touch the cylinder wall.
Airpel-AB cylinders cannot be used with vacuum.
Consult the factory if you wish to use gases other than air

AIRPEL-AB AIR CYLINDERS (LOWEST FRICTION)

MAB9

MAB16

MAB24

MAB32

Airpot offers four product families in our line of customizable pneumatic actuator.

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