The FESTO 156962 AEVU-50-20-P-A is a compact pneumatic cylinder designed for industrial automation applications that require short-stroke linear motion, space-saving installation, and dependable single-acting operation. Official FESTO technical data identifies this model as AEVU-50-20-P-A, with a 50 mm piston diameter, 20 mm stroke, single-acting pushing mode of operation, and elastic cushioning rings or pads at both ends. FESTO also specifies an operating pressure range of 0.8 to 10 bar, G1/8 pneumatic connection, and position sensing for proximity sensor use, which places this cylinder squarely in the category of compact actuators intended for practical machine-building tasks.
A compact cylinder of this type is typically selected when the machine designer wants a shorter installation length than a standard profile cylinder can offer, while still keeping a meaningful bore size and stable industrial construction. The AEVU series is one of FESTO’s long-established compact-cylinder families, and current FESTO catalog documentation continues to list AEVU-50-20-P-A under the ADVU/AEVU compact-cylinder range. That is commercially important because it shows this is not an isolated legacy identifier, but a recognizable FESTO model within a structured actuator family.
Key Technical Data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | FESTO |
| Part Number | 156962 |
| Model | AEVU-50-20-P-A |
| Product Type | Compact cylinder |
| Series | AEVU |
| Stroke | 20 mm |
| Piston Diameter | 50 mm |
| Mode of Operation | Single-acting, pushing |
| Cushioning | Elastic cushioning rings/pads at both ends |
| Mounting Position | Any |
| Position Sensing | For proximity sensor |
| Piston Rod End | Internal thread |
| Variants | Piston rod at one end |
| Operating Pressure | 0.08 MPa to 1 MPa |
| Operating Pressure | 0.8 bar to 10 bar |
| Pneumatic Connection | G1/8 |
These values are taken from FESTO’s official datasheet and supporting current catalog references for part number 156962.
Product Overview
The AEVU-50-20-P-A is designed for applications where the actuator must deliver a short forward movement with a compact body and a relatively large bore. The 50 mm piston diameter is significant because it gives the cylinder a stronger force class than smaller-bore compact cylinders, while the 20 mm stroke keeps the motion short and the overall installation envelope controlled. In practical automation, that combination is often useful in stopping, pressing, ejecting, positioning, clamping support, and short transfer motions where the designer values force and compactness more than long travel distance. This application positioning is an engineering inference, but it follows directly from the published bore, stroke, and operating principle.
Unlike a double-acting cylinder, the AEVU-50-20-P-A is officially specified as single-acting, pushing. That matters because it defines how the cylinder behaves in the machine. In this configuration, compressed air generates motion in the pushing direction, while the return is handled by the internal spring mechanism. This design is often used where only one powered stroke is needed and where the machine benefits from a simpler pneumatic circuit. FESTO’s official datasheet is explicit on this point: the mode of operation is single-acting and pushing.
Compact Design and Mechanical Value
The commercial value of a compact cylinder is straightforward: it reduces the space needed for pneumatic actuation. In machines where installation length is restricted, a compact cylinder can solve layout problems that a conventional cylinder would make worse. The AEVU-50-20-P-A belongs to FESTO’s compact-cylinder range for exactly that reason. The combination of 50 mm bore and 20 mm stroke creates a practical actuator for short-motion tasks without forcing the designer into a long body format. FESTO’s current ADVU/AEVU catalog continues to group this model in the compact-cylinder family, which supports that positioning clearly.
The piston rod end with internal thread is another useful feature. It allows the actuator to be connected to accessories, adapters, rods, or customer-specific tooling in a straightforward way. FESTO also identifies the variant as piston rod at one end, which is the standard arrangement for many compact industrial cylinders. Together, these details show that the product is intended for conventional machine-building integration rather than for unusual or highly specialized mounting arrangements.
Cushioning and Motion Control
FESTO specifies elastic cushioning rings or pads at both ends for this model. That is important because even short-stroke cylinders can create impact loads at end position, especially when they are used repeatedly in production equipment. Elastic end cushioning helps reduce end-position shock and contributes to quieter and more controlled stopping behavior. It is not the same as adjustable pneumatic cushioning, but for short-stroke compact actuators like this one, it is often a practical and economical solution. FESTO lists this cushioning arrangement directly in the official datasheet for 156962.
Pneumatic Performance and Operating Conditions
The operating pressure range of 0.8 to 10 bar makes the AEVU-50-20-P-A compatible with standard industrial compressed-air systems. That range is broad enough for normal automation use and indicates that the cylinder is intended for mainstream plant pneumatics rather than for low-pressure specialty circuits. The G1/8 pneumatic connection is also consistent with its compact design, offering a commonly used industrial port size for this class of actuator. FESTO publishes both of these values in the technical data for this exact model.
The official datasheet also states that the mounting position can be any, which gives the machine builder flexibility during layout and installation. That matters more than it sounds. In real equipment design, orientation freedom often reduces bracket complexity and makes retrofit work easier. FESTO also confirms position sensing for proximity sensor use, which is important in automated systems where cylinder status must be monitored for sequence control, safety logic, or fault handling.
Weight and Practical Installation Impact
At an estimated 706 g product weight, the AEVU-50-20-P-A sits in a practical middle range for a 50 mm bore compact cylinder. It is clearly not a miniature actuator, but it is still compact enough to be installed in machinery where mass and space both matter. For designers, that weight suggests a cylinder with substantial mechanical presence and useful bore size, while remaining manageable for compact stations, brackets, or modular tooling assemblies. This interpretation is grounded in FESTO’s official weight basis and stroke-specific calculation for this exact model.
Series Context and Product Family Relevance
Current FESTO catalog material and official product pages continue to show AEVU-50-20-P-A within the ADVU/AEVU compact-cylinder family. That is relevant because family context matters in industrial purchasing. Buyers often need to identify whether a model belongs to an active or at least documented product line, whether adjacent stroke variants exist, and whether the naming logic is consistent. FESTO’s documentation shows this clearly: 156962 corresponds to AEVU-50-20-P-A in the compact-cylinder range, alongside neighboring stroke options such as 10 mm, 15 mm, and 25 mm variants.
Typical Application Areas
| Application Area | Why This Model Fits |
|---|---|
| Compact automation modules | Short-stroke actuation with reduced installation length |
| Ejecting and stopping tasks | Single-acting pushing motion suits one powered stroke |
| Clamping support mechanisms | 50 mm bore supports a stronger compact-force class |
| Small transfer and positioning units | 20 mm stroke is suitable for short travel movement |
| Retrofit pneumatic systems | Standard FESTO compact-cylinder format simplifies identification |
These use cases are consistent with the official bore size, stroke, single-acting pushing mode, compact-cylinder family position, and sensing compatibility.
Conclusion
The FESTO 156962 AEVU-50-20-P-A is a compact, industrially practical single-acting compact cylinder for short-stroke pneumatic motion. Official FESTO data identifies it as a 50 mm bore, 20 mm stroke actuator with single-acting pushing operation, elastic cushioning at both ends, G1/8 connection, and proximity-sensor compatibility. Based on FESTO’s published weight basis for this exact part number, the product weight is approximately 706 g. For machine builders, maintenance teams, and parts buyers who need a short-stroke compact cylinder with a larger bore and straightforward FESTO identification, the AEVU-50-20-P-A is a technically solid and commercially useful choice.
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