The SMC MXS16-30 is a compact air slide table designed for applications that require accurate linear motion, rigid guidance, and stable repeatability in a small installation space. It belongs to SMC’s MXS series, a well-known family of precision guided pneumatic actuators used in automated assembly, pick-and-place systems, indexing stations, transfer units, and light material handling equipment. According to SMC’s official series documentation, the MXS range combines a compact pneumatic cylinder with an integrated guide structure to deliver smooth and precise travel for industrial automation tasks.
For the specific model MXS16-30, the code indicates a 16 mm bore size and a 30 mm stroke. Distributor technical data for this exact model lists it as a double-acting pneumatic guided cylinder in the MXS series, with through-hole mounting, rubber cushioning, aluminium alloy body construction, M5 piston rod thread, and a stroke length of 30 mm. The same source lists overall dimensions of approximately 87 mm length, 62 mm width, and 40 mm height, which confirms that this is a compact but mechanically stable solution for precision linear motion tasks.
Product Weight
The published product weight of the SMC MXS16-30 is 580 g. This figure appears in the RS technical listing for the exact model and is the clearest directly stated weight value found for this part number in current public sources.
Key Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | SMC |
| Model | MXS16-30 |
| Product Type | Air Slide Table / Pneumatic Guided Cylinder |
| Series | MXS |
| Bore Size | 16 mm |
| Stroke Length | 30 mm |
| Action Type | Double Acting |
| Mount Type | Through Hole |
| Cushioning Type | Rubber |
| Guide Type | Slide Bearing |
| Body Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Piston Rod Thread | M5 |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 0.7 MPa |
| Maximum Piston Speed | 500 mm/s |
| Operating Temperature Range | -10°C to 60°C |
| Approximate Dimensions | 87 mm × 62 mm × 40 mm |
| Product Net Weight | 580 g |
Source basis: exact-model distributor listing plus SMC MXS series documentation.
Product Design and Operating Principle
The MXS16-30 is built for users who need more than a standard air cylinder. A conventional pneumatic cylinder can generate linear movement, but when side load, moment load, or precision guidance is required, a standard cylinder often needs external guides or support structures. The MXS series addresses this by integrating the cylinder and guide mechanism into one compact body. SMC’s official MXS catalog presents the series as an air slide table, emphasizing its guided table structure and suitability for applications where both compactness and positioning stability are important.
This integrated design offers several practical advantages. First, it reduces the number of separate mechanical components in a machine. Second, it simplifies installation because the actuator and guide are already aligned by design. Third, it improves rigidity in applications where the load is offset from the centerline or where the moving platform is subjected to pitch, roll, or yaw moments. SMC’s official documentation includes model-selection and displacement data for MXS16-30, showing that the series is intended to be selected not only by bore and stroke, but also by load position and moment conditions. That is an important engineering point because it confirms the product is designed for real guided-motion duties rather than simple thrust generation alone.
Performance Characteristics
One of the core strengths of the MXS16-30 is its balance between compact size and guided precision. The MXS series is widely used where short, controlled travel is needed with better repeatability and rigidity than a basic cylinder can normally provide. The 30 mm stroke is a practical mid-short travel length, suitable for clamping transfer, stopper movement, part positioning, pick-and-place indexing, and other repetitive automation sequences.
The 16 mm bore gives the model enough pneumatic driving force for many small and medium automation tasks, while the integrated guide helps maintain motion quality under load. The double-acting configuration means compressed air powers both extension and retraction, which generally provides more stable cycle behavior and better controllability than spring-return types. In high-cycle industrial systems, this matters because balanced actuation improves timing consistency and helps maintain predictable performance over long operating periods.
The maximum operating pressure of 0.7 MPa and maximum piston speed of 500 mm/s indicate that the MXS16-30 is suited for fast automation cycles when properly sized and installed. The listed operating temperature range of -10°C to 60°C also makes it compatible with common factory environments, provided the air quality and surrounding conditions are within SMC’s general pneumatic recommendations.
Dimensional and Installation Advantages
With an approximate body size of 87 mm long, 62 mm wide, and 40 mm high, the MXS16-30 fits well into compact machine frames, tight transfer stations, and tooling assemblies where space is limited. Its through-hole mounting format allows straightforward mechanical installation, and the compact rectangular structure makes it easy to align with tooling plates and machine bases. The use of aluminium alloy helps keep the body relatively light at 580 g, which is valuable in systems where moving mass must be controlled or minimized.
The guide structure is another key installation advantage. Instead of requiring separate rails or guide rods, the product arrives as an integrated motion unit. That reduces assembly time, minimizes alignment error, and can lower the total number of sourced components in a machine design. In practical terms, this often means shorter build time for OEM equipment and easier replacement work for maintenance teams. The MXS family is therefore attractive not only for new machine design, but also for retrofit projects where engineers want to replace more complicated multi-part guided cylinder arrangements with a single standardized actuator. This functional positioning is consistent with SMC’s official presentation of the MXS series as a compact guided air slide table.
Typical Applications
The SMC MXS16-30 is suitable for a broad range of automation and handling tasks. Common applications include:
| Application Area | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Assembly Equipment | Precise part transfer, insertion approach, intermediate positioning |
| Packaging Machinery | Product alignment, small pusher movement, indexing functions |
| Electronics Manufacturing | Compact guided movement for small components and fixtures |
| Inspection Systems | Sensor positioning, part presentation, test jig transfer |
| Pick-and-Place Units | Short guided travel for component handling |
| General Automation | Stopper motion, shuttle movement, guided actuator duties |
Because the MXS16-30 is compact and guided, it is especially effective where the load must remain stable throughout movement. It is a better fit than an unguided cylinder when the tooling or workpiece imposes side load, eccentric mass, or moment load. SMC’s series documentation specifically includes displacement and selection data for the MXS16 stroke group, reinforcing that the product is meant for such guided applications.
Commercial and Engineering Value
From a buyer’s perspective, the MXS16-30 offers a useful combination of brand reliability, compact size, guided precision, and installation efficiency. SMC is widely recognized in industrial pneumatics, which matters for global procurement, replacement support, and maintenance familiarity. From an engineering standpoint, this model reduces the need for custom guide arrangements and helps standardize short-stroke precision motion in automated equipment.
The 580 g weight is also commercially relevant. For machine builders using multiple actuators in one station, unit weight affects moving inertia, tooling support design, and shipping calculation. For users integrating the part into robotic or semi-moving tooling, keeping actuator mass under control can be a real design advantage.
Conclusion
The SMC MXS16-30 is a compact and practical air slide table for precise short-stroke linear motion in industrial automation. With its 16 mm bore, 30 mm stroke, double-acting operation, integrated guide structure, through-hole mounting, and 580 g weight, it provides a stable and space-efficient solution for applications that demand guided motion rather than simple cylinder thrust alone. It is particularly well suited to automated assembly, transfer, indexing, inspection, and packaging systems where compactness, repeatability, and mechanical stability are important.
