The SMC MSQB30R is a compact rack-and-pinion rotary table designed for applications that require controlled angular positioning, stable load support, and a clean, integrated mechanical structure. In the MSQ family, the MSQB designation identifies the basic type, while the 30 indicates the body size, and the R version denotes the 180° symmetric specification rather than the 90° standard version. SMC describes the MSQ series as an integrated table-and-actuator design with an angle adjustment mechanism, direct load mounting capability, and selectable shock-absorber configurations depending on the required operating profile.
For equipment builders, the MSQB30R is a practical choice when a conventional rotary actuator alone is not enough and a mounted table surface is needed for direct transfer, indexing, flipping, or orientation work. The structure combines the actuator and table into one unit, which helps reduce assembly complexity, improves alignment during installation, and supports a more compact machine layout. SMC also highlights that the MSQ platform is suitable for top, bottom, and side mounting arrangements, which makes it easier to integrate into space-constrained automation systems.
Key Product Data
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | SMC |
| Model | MSQB30R |
| Product Type | Rotary Table |
| Mechanism | Rack-and-Pinion Type |
| Series | MSQ |
| Body Size | 30 |
| Rotation Specification | 180° symmetric type |
| Product Class | Basic type |
| Net Weight | 1.39 kg |
| Weight Basis | Basic type, external shock absorber, 180° specification, auto switch mass not included |
| Typical Use | Positioning, transfer, turning, indexing, orientation tasks |
The most defensible published weight figure for MSQB30R is 1,390 g, or 1.39 kg, taken from SMC’s mass table for basic type rotary tables with external shock absorber, 180° specification, size 30. SMC also notes that the listed values do not include auto switch mass, so versions supplied with switches or related accessories may weigh slightly more in practice.
Product Structure and Functional Advantages
One of the strongest features of the MSQB30R is its integrated construction. Instead of pairing a separate rotary actuator with an external mounting plate, this model already provides a table surface designed for direct load mounting. That arrangement reduces tolerance stack-up and simplifies the mechanical interface between the drive element and the payload. In real automation projects, that usually means faster assembly, better repeatable alignment, and fewer custom brackets.
The rack-and-pinion mechanism is widely used because it offers a straightforward and reliable method of converting pneumatic force into rotary movement. In the MSQ series, SMC combines that principle with a compact body and a mounting face intended for practical industrial handling tasks. The catalog also emphasizes the availability of angle adjustment, allowing the user to tune the operating range according to machine requirements. This is especially useful in pick-and-place modules, part-turning stations, and compact indexing assemblies where the final stop position must be coordinated with grippers, sensors, or fixtures.
Another advantage is installation flexibility. SMC shows the MSQ family as suitable for top mounting, bottom mounting, and side mounting, giving machine designers more freedom when routing air lines and arranging nearby mechanical parts. For compact equipment, that flexibility matters because the rotary unit often has to coexist with slides, clamps, or guarding in a limited envelope.
Weight and Handling Considerations
For quotation work, logistics summaries, and technical listings, you can state the product weight as:
Product Weight: Approx. 1.39 kg
That is the cleanest engineering statement for the base MSQB30R configuration. However, it is good practice to note that the value is a reference body weight from SMC’s table and does not include auto switch mass. If the end user selects a switch-equipped variant, associated brackets, fittings, or special specifications, the shipping weight or assembled machine weight will differ slightly.
From a machine design perspective, a mass around 1.39 kg keeps the unit relatively easy to install while still providing a rigid enough body for practical payload handling and rotary positioning. It is light enough for compact stations yet substantial enough to support industrial mounting and repeated motion cycles when properly selected within SMC’s recommended load and inertia limits. Those limits are important because rotary products are not selected by weight alone; the load position, moment of inertia, operating speed, and stopping energy all affect service life and stability. SMC’s manuals and catalogs explicitly discuss allowable kinetic energy, rotation time adjustment, and moment of inertia as part of correct model selection.
Performance-Relevant Design Features
The MSQ family is presented by SMC as a rotary table platform with several important technical characteristics. These include integrated load support, angle adjustment, direct load mounting, and the option of internal or external shock absorber styles depending on the version. For the broader family, SMC also notes that built-in shock absorber and external shock absorber types are selectable. In practical use, that means the designer can choose a configuration better aligned with cycle time, load energy, and installation constraints.
For size 30, SMC’s documentation shows that the allowable kinetic energy differs by configuration, and the mass table separately distinguishes adjustment-bolt, internal shock absorber, and external shock absorber types. This matters because buyers sometimes assume all MSQ size 30 units are mechanically identical apart from the angle. They are not. The chosen stop method and rotation specification affect both mass and dynamic capability. That is why the correct way to describe MSQB30R is not simply “size 30 rotary actuator,” but rather a basic type, 180° symmetric rotary table in the MSQ family.
Typical Applications
The SMC MSQB30R is well suited for automated systems that need a part to rotate through a controlled arc before the next manufacturing or inspection step. Typical examples include part orientation in assembly machines, transfer stations that flip or re-index workpieces, packaging machinery, sensor inspection nests, and compact fixture modules where a part must be presented at alternating faces. Because the table is integrated into the actuator body, the load can often be mounted directly without a separate rotary plate, which reduces component count and improves overall packaging efficiency. These use cases align with SMC’s positioning of the MSQ series as a compact rotary table for direct mounting and straightforward alignment.
Selection Notes for Buyers
When purchasing or listing this product, the model should be kept complete as MSQB30R. Do not casually substitute it with MSQB30A, because the A version is the 90° standard type, while the R version is the 180° symmetric type. This distinction affects the motion range and may also affect the exact mass and specification set used during machine design and spare-parts replacement. SMC’s tables clearly separate 90° and 180° versions in the mass section.
It is also advisable to confirm whether the supplied unit includes auto switches, fittings, or other option codes before finalizing freight data or preparing a technical datasheet for sale. The published weight table is reliable for the base product body, but options can change the delivered configuration.
Conclusion
The SMC MSQB30R is a compact, industrial-grade 180° rotary table built around a rack-and-pinion mechanism and an integrated table design. Its main strengths are direct load mounting, flexible installation, compact packaging, and clean integration into pneumatic automation systems. For commercial and technical documentation, the most appropriate reference weight is approximately 1.39 kg, based on SMC’s official mass table for the basic type, external shock absorber, 180° specification, size 30, excluding auto switch mass.
