Specifications: MPE16X5 is an AirTAC single-acting, pneumatic extension with spring return with a 16 mm bore, 5 mm stroke, no magnetic option in the standard suffix position, and male-threaded rod end.
Product Catalog
Download Airtac Product Catalog (PDF)
Download 2022 cylinder installation and weight tables (PDF)
For detailed product dimensions and mounting drawings, please download and refer to the PDF catalog.
Model Code Explained
| Code |
Meaning for This Model |
| MPE |
single-acting, pneumatic extension with spring return |
| 16 |
16 mm bore |
| X5 |
5 mm nominal stroke |
| Blank magnetic position |
No magnetic piston selected by the standard order-code position |
| Blank rod-end position |
male-threaded rod end |
| Blank mounting suffix |
No optional mounting bracket selected |
Technical Specifications
| Parameter |
Details |
| Action |
single-acting, pneumatic extension with spring return |
| Working medium |
Air filtered through a 40 μm filter or finer |
| Operating pressure |
0.15–0.7 MPa |
| Proof pressure |
1.2 MPa; a proof-test rating, not the continuous operating limit |
| Ambient and fluid temperature |
−20 to 70 °C |
| Piston speed |
50–500 mm/s |
| Stroke tolerance |
+1.0 / 0 mm |
| Cushioning |
None |
| Air connection |
M5 × 0.8 |
Product Features
- The miniature body fits restricted installation spaces and mounts directly.
- The standard construction is single acting with a spring return; panel mounting and embedded mounting use different body drawings.
- The return spring retracts the piston rod only. Do not attach a load that must be moved by the return spring; it may prevent full retraction.
Dimensions for This Bore and Configuration
Dimensions are in millimeters unless a thread, angle or tolerance is stated. Letter labels follow the 168–171 printed-page drawings in the 2022 Chinese catalog. A base letter value is not automatically an overall length; use its stated stroke relationship.
| Parameter |
Details |
| AB |
14 mm |
| D |
6 mm |
| E |
M5 × 0.8 |
| EA |
12 mm |
| F |
8 mm |
| FA |
3 mm |
| G |
27 mm |
| GA |
5 mm |
| M |
M22 × 1.5 |
| MB |
20 mm |
| N |
19 mm |
| NA |
7 mm |
| A |
40.5 mm |
| AC |
26.5 mm |
| MA |
19.5 mm |
A, AC and MA are already the complete tabulated values for the selected stroke; do not add the stroke again.
Construction and Materials
| Parameter |
Details |
| 1 Hex nut |
Stainless steel |
| 2 Piston rod |
Stainless steel |
| 3 Front cover |
Brass |
| 4 Body |
Nickel-plated brass |
| 5 Body nut |
Carbon steel |
| 6 Return spring |
Spring steel |
| 7 Piston |
Stainless steel |
| 8 Piston seal |
NBR |
| 9 O-ring |
NBR; MPEF embedded construction |
Item numbers identify the catalog sectional drawing. They are component references, not spare-part order codes or package quantities.
Matching Accessories and Mounting
| Parameter |
Details |
| Mounting and sensing |
The compact body mounts directly using its body thread/nuts or the MPEF embedding seat. The order chart has no magnetic-piston option; magnetic switches are not specified for this series. |
Accessory codes are listed for selection. Optional brackets, rod joints and switches are separate items unless the selected code or the stated pin note expressly identifies them. Component item numbers do not specify purchase quantities.
Stroke and Option Selection
| Parameter |
Details |
| Standard strokes for this bore/action |
5, 10, 15 mm |
| Intermediate strokes |
Use the listed standard strokes and the dimensions for the selected stroke. |
| Magnetic selection |
Select the magnetic option before ordering a position switch; electrical type, cable and connector are selected separately. |
Theoretical Output Reference
| Parameter |
Details |
| 0.1 MPa extension (below the specified operating range) |
9.4 N theoretical reference only |
| 0.2 MPa extension |
29.4 N |
| 0.3 MPa extension |
49.5 N |
| 0.4 MPa extension |
69.6 N |
| 0.5 MPa extension |
89.7 N |
| 0.6 MPa extension |
109.8 N |
| 0.7 MPa extension |
129.9 N |
| Spring return force |
4.8 N; rod return only |
Selection, Installation and Operation
- Select bore from the required thrust and available pressure; then check stroke, load direction, mounting, cushioning and sensing. The general catalog load-factor references are at most 0.7 for static/slow work and at most 0.5 for 50–500 mm/s motion. They do not replace the load and guide checks for this cylinder.
- Keep the piston rod and load aligned. Support lateral or eccentric loads with an appropriate guide; avoid applying bending force or tightening torque through the rod or guide.
- Use clean filtered air. Prevent freezing, water, dust and corrosive substances from entering the cylinder. The cylinder is prelubricated; if lubrication is introduced, use additive-free ISO VG32 oil and continue that lubrication.
- Start with the speed controller restricted, then open it gradually. Choose the circuit and flow-control direction for the action and load; a double-acting meter-out circuit is a general reference, not a guarantee of equal speed or precise stopping.
- Isolate the air and electrical supplies and release trapped pressure before maintenance. Check the mounting and retained parts before repressurizing. A C-ring must be fully seated before operation.
Circuit Selection Reference at 500 mm/s
| Parameter |
Details |
| Reference bore |
16 mm |
| Effective flow area at the reference speed |
.5 mm² |
| Tube outside / inside diameter |
4 / 2.5 mm |
| Example speed controller |
PTLM5 |
| Example silencer |
BSLM5 |
The general 2022 selection table gives these circuit examples for this bore at a theoretical 500 mm/s reference speed. They are not included accessories, a guaranteed achieved speed, or a statement that every example screws directly into this cylinder. Match the actual port thread, action, tubing, valve capacity and operating conditions.
Side-load Curve
The MPE graph plots allowable side force against stroke: the horizontal axis spans 5–15 mm and the vertical axis 0–0.7 N. Use the curve for the selected bore. A scale endpoint is not an allowable load for every stroke; the rod must not be used as a general-purpose lateral guide.
Optional single-acting air connections and controls
For this single-acting cylinder, use one working line: pressure extends the rod and the spring retracts it when the line exhausts. The listed direct-acting 3V1 valves are optional normally closed 3/2 choices: energizing connects P to A; de-energizing closes P and connects A to R. Select this valve only if its 1.2 mm orifice meets the required flow and response; these options do not guarantee an achieved speed or spring-return time.
-
PC4M5: M5×0.8 male × 4 mm tube OD
Straight cylinder connection or selected valve A connection; also P only if the supply line uses the same tube OD
-
PTL4M5B-M: M5×0.8 male × 4 mm tube OD; mini B-type
Cylinder-port meter-in extension control instead of the straight cylinder fitting, with free reverse flow for spring return
-
US98A040025100MBU: polyester polyurethane; 4 mm OD × 2.5 mm ID; blue, 100 m roll
Optional straight tubing example; cut to the required installed length
-
UE95A040025100MBU: polyether polyurethane; 4 mm OD × 2.5 mm ID; blue, 100 m roll
Optional straight tubing example; cut to the required installed length
-
3V1M5A, 3V1M5AI: M5×0.8 female P supply, A work and R exhaust ports; normally closed 3/2
220 V AC direction control; DIN connection / 0.5 m flying leads respectively
-
3V1M5B, 3V1M5BI: M5×0.8 female P supply, A work and R exhaust ports; normally closed 3/2
24 V DC direction control; DIN connection / 0.5 m flying leads respectively
-
3V1M5C, 3V1M5CI: M5×0.8 female P supply, A work and R exhaust ports; normally closed 3/2
110 V AC direction control; DIN connection / 0.5 m flying leads respectively
-
3V1M5E, 3V1M5EI: M5×0.8 female P supply, A work and R exhaust ports; normally closed 3/2
24 V AC direction control; DIN connection / 0.5 m flying leads respectively
-
3V1M5F, 3V1M5FI: M5×0.8 female P supply, A work and R exhaust ports; normally closed 3/2
12 V DC direction control; DIN connection / 0.5 m flying leads respectively
For the 4 mm OD tubing in the circuit reference in this description, choose the straight fitting or B-type controller at the cylinder pressure port. Use a straight fitting at the valve A port. The B-type controller restricts tube-to-cylinder supply and allows cylinder-to-tube exhaust for spring return; it is not the A-type meter-out arrangement used for double-acting reference circuits.
The listed gray PC fittings and PTL controllers accept soft nylon or polyurethane tubing at 0–1 MPa and −20 to +70°C. Seat the M5 sealing gaskets correctly. Recommended PTL cap-rotation torque is 0.05 N·m, not thread-tightening torque. Start with restricted flow, adjust gradually and secure the setting.
Use this working circuit at 0.15–0.7 MPa and −20 to +70°C, subject to any lower component limit. Keep the spring-return exhaust path open and respect the MPE rod-return-only spring limitation stated above; the return spring must not be used to move an attached external load.
For each voltage pair, the first complete code selects a DIN connection and the code ending I selects 0.5 m flying leads. Match the actual power supply: AC tolerance is ±15%, DC tolerance ±10%; consumption is 4.5 VA at 220/110 V AC, 5.0 VA at 24 V AC, 3.0 W at 24 V DC or 2.5 W at 12 V DC. Valve limits are 0–0.8 MPa and −20 to +70°C, IP65 and insulation class B; 10 Hz is the no-load frequency limit, not a loaded cylinder-cycle rating.
Use the existing BSLM5 reference at the selected valve’s M5 R exhaust port. Keep it free of blockage; excessive back pressure can impede spring return. Its limits are 0–1 MPa and −20 to +70°C. These accessories are separately ordered options, not an included kit.
The blue 100 m tube codes are purchasable packaging examples, not the required installed tube length. US98A is polyester polyurethane (−20 to +70°C); UE95A is polyether polyurethane (−40 to +70°C). Both listed standard sizes are rated to 1 MPa at 23°C; apply temperature derating and the lowest limit of the whole circuit. Avoid solvents, corrosive media and prolonged direct sunlight. Minimum bend radii for US98A/UE95A are 10/8 mm.
Weight Reference
Catalog reference weight: 74 g. Calculated from the catalog base weight and stroke increment for this bore/configuration; it is a reference, not a measured weight.
For detailed product dimensions and mounting drawings, please download and refer to the PDF catalog.
