SMC CA2B50-100 Tie Rod Air Cylinder 50 mm Bore

A rectangular-cover tie-rod cylinder for general automation

CA2B50-100 is a standard-type, double-acting, single-rod air cylinder from the SMC CA2 series. The CA2 design is a conventional tie-rod cylinder with a rectangular cover, offered in bores of 40, 50, 63, 80 and 100 mm; it is used for presses, clamps, gates and general machinery where a robust cylinder with adjustable air cushions is wanted.

The code reads CA2 (series), B (basic mounting; L is axial foot, F rod flange, G head flange, C single clevis, D double clevis, T centre trunnion), 50 (the 50 mm bore) and 100 (the 100 mm stroke). No tube-material letter is present, so the cylinder has an aluminum tube (F would be steel tube), the port thread is Rc and no rod boot or cushion suffix is added, so air cushions are fitted on both ends.

Technical specifications

Mounting styles and what they suit

Basic, axial foot, rod-side flange, head-side flange, single clevis, double clevis and centre trunnion mounting are all listed. A fixed mounting (basic, foot, flange) suits a straight push or pull; the clevis and trunnion styles allow the cylinder to swing when the driven part moves on an arc, so the choice follows the motion of the load. The catalogue also offers a steel-tube version with a higher weight (1.35 kg basic at 50 mm), useful where the tube needs more resistance to impact or heat.

Options include rod boots in nylon tarpaulin (J) and heat-resistant tarpaulin (K) for dust or hot environments, and the suffix N that removes cushioning. Made-to-order specifications in the catalogue add temperature-resistant and environmental versions.

Application and installation

Use air that is dried and filtered; the catalogue states that lubrication is not required. For long strokes or side loads check the allowable lateral load and avoid applying bending to the rod; use a floating joint or a clevis mount when misalignment is possible. At 50 mm bore and 0.5 MPa the cylinder produces about 982 N, enough for light clamping and push-out tasks; larger loads should be calculated with a safety factor of the machine designer.

SMC also lists the CG1 round-body cylinder, which its own catalogue describes as shorter in overall length than the CA2 (by 17 to 28 mm for 40 to 63 mm bores), so check the dimension drawings before substituting one series for another.

Key features of the CA2B50-100

• Tie-rod construction: the end covers are clamped by four rods, so the cylinder can be dismantled for seal replacement instead of being discarded.
• Adjustable air cushions at both ends that decelerate the piston before it reaches the cover, reducing shock and noise at the end of stroke.
• Non-lube operation, which suits plants where oil mist in the exhaust is unwanted.
• Wide pressure window from 0.05 to 1.0 MPa and piston speeds of 50 to 500 mm/s.
• Lightweight aluminium tube, about 1.79 kg at this stroke, easing handling and mounting brackets.

Force at common supply pressures

Theoretical force is simply piston area multiplied by pressure. The table below uses the catalogue piston areas for the 50 mm bore; real usable force is lower because of seal friction and the load ratio a designer applies, typically well below 100 % for dynamic motion.

Setting the cushions and speed

Fit meter-out speed controllers on both ports so that the piston speed is held by the exhaust air, which gives smoother motion than restricting the supply. Start with the cushion needles nearly closed, run the cylinder at the intended speed, and open each needle gradually until the piston reaches the end without bouncing or hard impact. If the moving mass is heavy and the speed is high, the kinetic energy may exceed what the air cushion can absorb; in that case an external shock absorber or a lower speed is needed. With the 100 mm stroke the cushion length forms a significant share of the travel, so confirm the cycle time after adjustment.

Maintenance and spares

Most wear in a tie-rod cylinder is in the rod seal and piston seal. Watch for air leaking along the rod, sluggish motion or loss of cushioning, which usually indicate seal wear or a scored rod. Keep the rod clean and free of weld spatter or paint; where abrasive dust settles on the rod, the J or K rod boot options protect the seal. When ordering seal kits, quote the full cylinder code, since kits are bore-specific.

Using the cylinder in Oman and GCC plants

Compressed air in hot, humid coastal areas carries a lot of moisture, and condensate in the lines causes corrosion and washes grease from seals. Fit an air dryer or at least a filter with automatic drain ahead of the valve manifold. The cylinder is rated to 70 °C without auto switches, but where it is mounted in direct sun or close to ovens, confirm the actual surface temperature before adding switches, which reduce the limit to 60 °C.

What to include in your RFQ

• Full code including mounting letter, bore, stroke and any suffix for tube, thread, cushion or boot.
• Auto switch type and quantity, if position sensing is needed.
• Mounting accessories such as rod-end clevis, floating joint or pivot bracket.
• Quantity and required delivery location.

Documents and quotation

The SMC CA2 catalogue PDF below has how-to-order, specifications, weights and dimensions. Please confirm mounting letter, tube material, thread, cushion and rod-boot requirements before ordering. More cylinders are under Pneumatic Cylinders. Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier and quotes the exact code on request.