The SMC MXQ12-75 is a compact air slide table designed for applications that require guided linear movement, repeatable positioning, and improved rigidity in a limited installation space. It belongs to the SMC MXQ Series, which is built around an integrated slide table and guide mechanism. In practical terms, this means the actuator is not just a simple pneumatic cylinder. It is a guided motion unit intended for more accurate and more stable travel, especially where the moving load must remain aligned throughout the stroke. SMC own catalog and CAD listing identify MXQ12-75 as an MXQ air slide table with a 12 mm bore and a 75 mm stroke.
This model is commonly used in compact automation where a machine needs to push, position, transfer, stop, or align components with better precision than a standard rod cylinder can usually provide on its own. Because the guide function is integrated into the actuator body, the MXQ12-75 can simplify mechanical design by reducing the need for separate external guide hardware. That makes it attractive for assembly fixtures, light transfer systems, small packaging mechanisms, workstation automation, and other equipment where reliable short-to-medium linear motion is essential. SMC’s MXQ documentation describes the product as an Air Slide Table and lists the MXQ12 size range with standard strokes including 75 mm.
Key Specifications of SMC MXQ12-75
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | SMC MXQ12-75 |
| Series | MXQ Series |
| Product Type | Air Slide Table |
| Bore Size | 12 mm |
| Stroke | 75 mm |
| Fluid | Air |
| Action | Double Acting |
| Operating Pressure | 0.15 to 0.7 MPa |
| Proof Pressure | 1.05 MPa |
| Ambient and Fluid Temperature | -10 to 60°C (no freezing) |
| Piston Speed | 50 to 300 mm/s |
| Piston Speed with Adjuster / Metal Stopper Option | 50 to 200 mm/s |
| Cushion | Rubber bumper (standard / rubber stopper option) |
| Lubrication | Non-lube |
| Stroke Length Tolerance | +1 / 0 mm |
| Operating Port | 2 x M5 x 0.8 |
| Net Weight | 755 g |
The operating specifications above come from the public SMC MXQ catalog page, which lists the common MXQ series data for bore sizes including 12 mm. The 754 g value is taken from a public spare-parts listing for MXQ12-75, so it should be treated as a practical reference figure for listing and preliminary selection rather than a directly quoted public SMC mass table entry.
Design Concept and Functional Advantages
The main engineering advantage of the SMC MXQ12-75 is its guided table structure. A standard air cylinder can generate linear motion, but when side load, offset load, or moment load is introduced, the cylinder rod alone is often not ideal as the primary guide. In those situations, extra guide units are commonly added. The MXQ series solves that problem by integrating the motion function and the guide function into one compact body. This reduces the part count in the machine and helps improve alignment over the full travel. The official SMC catalog classifies the MXQ family as an air slide table, which is precisely the type of actuator chosen when guidance accuracy matters.
Another key advantage is the 75 mm stroke length, which gives the MXQ12-75 more usable travel than short indexing models while still remaining compact enough for dense automation layouts. A 75 mm stroke is often enough for moving a small part from a pickup point to a placement point, actuating a stopper over a meaningful travel distance, or shifting a workpiece between closely spaced process positions. For many machine builders, this is a practical middle-ground stroke: long enough to be useful, but still short enough to support compact cycle design and controlled motion. SMC’s product identification confirms 75 mm stroke as a standard configuration for the MXQ12 size.
The double-acting design is also important. Because compressed air drives both extension and retraction, motion can be controlled in both directions. This supports more consistent cycle timing and more predictable response than passive-return arrangements. In repetitive industrial equipment, consistency is often more valuable than raw speed alone. The public SMC catalog explicitly lists the MXQ series as double acting.
Operating Performance in Industrial Use
From an application standpoint, the MXQ12-75 is well suited to tasks where a moving platform must remain steady during travel. The public SMC catalog lists an operating pressure range of 0.15 to 0.7 MPa, a proof pressure of 1.05 MPa, and a piston speed range of 50 to 300 mm/s for the standard configuration. These values place it comfortably within normal factory pneumatic conditions and make it suitable for general-purpose automation equipment when correctly selected and controlled. If a version uses an adjuster or metal stopper option, the catalog notes a lower recommended speed range of 50 to 200 mm/s.
The non-lube specification is also relevant for day-to-day use. In ordinary machine service, a non-lube pneumatic actuator can simplify maintenance planning because it does not require external lubrication under the standard usage conditions described by the manufacturer. For many OEM and maintenance users, that reduces system complexity and makes replacement or ongoing support easier. The same SMC catalog page also lists rubber bumper cushioning as the standard arrangement, which helps manage end-of-stroke contact in regular operation.
The operating port specification of 2 x M5 x 0.8 shown in the SMC catalog dimensions is also useful from an installation perspective. It indicates that the MXQ12-75 is designed for compact pneumatic plumbing, which fits the general design intent of the MXQ series as a space-efficient guided actuator. For compact tooling plates and crowded machine frames, compact porting helps simplify hose routing and reduces interference with nearby components.
Weight and Mechanical Selection
For real machine design, the product’s weight matters because it affects bracket sizing, support rigidity, moving-axis inertia, and handling during installation. The most accessible public weight value for MXQ12-75 in the available source set is 754 g, shown on a spare parts listing for this exact model. Because that figure does not come from a directly exposed public SMC mass table in the retrieved snippets, it is best treated as an approximate reference weight rather than an absolute engineering authority. Even so, for quotation sheets, catalog content, e-commerce descriptions, and preliminary design comparison, approximately 0.754 kg is a useful number.
If the actuator will be mounted on a moving carriage, vertical slide, or robot bracket, this approximate mass should be considered during inertia checks and support design. A guided actuator is often heavier than a basic cylinder of similar bore because of the integrated guide and table structure. That added mass is part of the tradeoff for improved stability and better motion control. In many cases, that tradeoff is justified because the MXQ design can eliminate the need for additional external guide hardware.
Typical Application Areas
The SMC MXQ12-75 is commonly suitable for:
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Precision transfer of small and medium-light parts
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Guided positioning in assembly fixtures
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Stopper and escapement mechanisms
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Compact pick-and-place subassemblies
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Alignment support in packaging or inspection machines
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Workpiece presentation and indexing in automated stations
These are the types of applications where guided linear motion is more important than simple push-pull actuation. Because the MXQ is an air slide table rather than a plain rod cylinder, it is typically selected where better movement control, table stability, and installation compactness are required. The official SMC product classification and CAD listing support that positioning directly.
Conclusion
The SMC MXQ12-75 is a compact, guided MXQ Series air slide table built for repeatable linear motion in space-limited industrial automation systems. Public SMC sources confirm that it is a 12 mm bore, 75 mm stroke, double-acting pneumatic actuator with an operating pressure of 0.15 to 0.7 MPa, proof pressure of 1.05 MPa, -10 to 60°C operating temperature range, and 50 to 300 mm/s standard piston speed.
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