The SMC MXQ8-50 is a compact air slide table designed for applications that demand precise straight-line travel, stable load guidance, and repeatable positioning in a limited installation space. It belongs to the SMC MXQ Series, a product family built around the integration of the slide table and guide rail into a single compact unit. In the official SMC web catalog, this model is identified as an MXQ Series Air Slide Table with an 8 mm bore, 50 mm standard stroke, and standard type construction.
This actuator is commonly selected where a conventional cylinder alone would not provide enough guidance accuracy. Because the MXQ design combines the drive section and guiding mechanism in one assembly, it is suitable for equipment that requires controlled linear movement with better parallelism and rigidity. The product is used in light automation, compact transfer units, precision positioning fixtures, pick-and-place systems, assembly tooling, stopper mechanisms, and other small-motion industrial tasks. SMC describes the MXQ series as integrating the guide rail and table and using a recirculating linear guide to achieve high rigidity and high precision.
Key Specifications of SMC MXQ8-50
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | SMC MXQ8-50 |
| Series | MXQ Series |
| Product Type | Air Slide Table |
| Bore Size | 8 mm |
| Stroke | 50 mm |
| Structure | Standard Type |
| Guiding Method | Recirculating Linear Guide |
| Action | Double Acting |
| Adjuster | Without Adjuster |
| Port Thread | M Thread / Rc (depending on configuration reference) |
| Operating Port | 2 x M5 x 0.8 |
| Minimum Ambient Temperature | -10 °C |
| Maximum Ambient Temperature | 60 °C |
| Maximum Service Pressure | 7 bar |
| Net Weight | 0.36 kg |
| Reference Logistics Dimensions | 116 x 36 x 23 mm |
The official SMC web catalog confirms the 8 mm bore, 50 mm stroke, and double metal stopper variant example in the switch-equipped configuration, while distributor technical data for the base MXQ8-50 lists it as without adjuster, double acting, with -10 to 60 °C temperature range, 7 bar maximum service pressure, 116 x 36 x 23 mm logistics dimensions, and 362 g logistics weight. For commercial content, stating approx. 0.36 kg is a reasonable and cautious way to present the weight.
Structural Design and Functional Value
A core advantage of the SMC MXQ8-50 is its integrated precision structure. In many automation systems, the designer needs a short, controlled linear movement, but the moving element must remain stable under light offset loads. A simple rod cylinder can create deflection or require a separate guide mechanism. By contrast, the MXQ8-50 combines the motion and guide functions into one compact assembly, reducing the need for additional support hardware and simplifying installation. SMC explicitly describes the series as a design in which the guide rail and table are integrated, which helps reduce tolerance build-up associated with multi-part assemblies.
Another important feature is the use of a recirculating linear guide. This design is more precise than simpler slide structures used in lower-rigidity actuators. According to the distributor product description, the bearing and slide table are integrated into a precisely machined component, and this configuration supports close control of parallelism and perpendicularity. In practical terms, that means the MXQ8-50 is well suited to applications where the moving platform must travel smoothly and remain aligned during the stroke.
The 50 mm stroke makes this model particularly useful when the machine requires a medium short-travel motion rather than long linear travel. It can be used to move compact parts from one fixed point to another, present a component for assembly, push a workpiece into a fixture, or provide a precise stop or transfer action within a confined mechanical envelope. The official SMC page clearly identifies the cylinder stroke as 50 mm for this model.
Why the MXQ8-50 Works Well in Compact Automation
For OEM machinery, compactness is not just a space issue. It also affects inertia, bracket design, sensor placement, and serviceability. The MXQ8-50 offers a relatively small footprint, and the distributor listing gives a logistics envelope of 116 x 36 x 23 mm, which is useful as a practical sizing reference for procurement and preliminary layout work. In crowded automation modules, this compact form can make it easier to integrate the actuator without increasing the machine frame size.
The double-acting configuration is also important. With air used to drive both extension and retraction, the actuator supports more consistent cycle control than passive-return designs. This is valuable in repetitive machine processes where timing stability matters, especially in light assembly and positioning tasks. The distributor technical data lists the MXQ8-50 specifically as without adjuster; double acting (d/a).
The temperature range of -10 °C to 60 °C and maximum service pressure of 7 bar make the unit compatible with typical industrial pneumatic environments, assuming correct air preparation and normal operating conditions. Those values are consistent with the type of duty expected for compact pneumatic slide tables used in factory automation.
Weight and Selection Considerations
Weight matters in real machine design, especially when the actuator is mounted on a moving axis, a small robot bracket, or a cantilevered fixture. For the MXQ8-50, the most accessible published figure in the available source set is 362 g, listed by the distributor as logistic weight. Because that label does not explicitly confirm whether it is net product mass or packed/shipping reference weight, the safest commercial wording is “approx. 0.36 kg reference weight.” This avoids overstating precision while still giving buyers a usable figure for preliminary selection, quotation sheets, or product listing pages.
If you are using the value for strict engineering calculation, it should be treated as a reference only unless you verify the exact net body mass from a region-specific SMC technical file or a direct supplier datasheet. For e-commerce, catalog summaries, and general industrial listings, however, approx. 0.36 kg is a practical way to present the weight without creating false certainty.
Typical Applications
The SMC MXQ8-50 is suitable for a wide range of compact automation uses, including:
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Precision linear transfer of small components
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Workpiece positioning in assembly fixtures
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Stopper and escapement mechanisms
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Pick-and-place submodules
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Compact alignment and insertion support
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Light-duty indexing or presentation functions
Because it is an air slide table rather than a basic cylinder, it is especially appropriate where the moving table must remain guided and accurate over the full travel. The MXQ family is positioned by SMC as a high-rigidity, high-precision slide solution, which is why it is widely used when repeatable guided motion is more important than simple actuation alone.
Conclusion
The SMC MXQ8-50 is a compact and precise MXQ Series air slide table intended for controlled linear motion in space-constrained automation systems. Based on the available sources, it is an 8 mm bore, 50 mm stroke, double-acting guided actuator with an integrated table-and-guide structure, a recirculating linear guide, a -10 °C to 60 °C operating temperature range, and a 7 bar maximum service pressure.
