The SMC CDBXWL10-50-E73AL-X138 is a compact guided pneumatic slide unit designed for applications that require accurate straight-line motion, stable load support, and reliable end-position detection. It belongs to the CXWL Series, which SMC classifies as a ball bushing bearing slide unit with built-in shock absorber. In practical machine design, this type of actuator is used when a standard cylinder alone is not rigid enough to control deflection, moment load, or repeatability. The CXWL construction combines pneumatic drive with a guided slide mechanism, allowing smoother travel and better resistance to side load than a basic unguided cylinder.
The exact model code carries several important configuration details. The CXWL10-50 portion identifies a 10 mm bore unit with 50 mm stroke in the CXWL family. The catalog also shows that the CDBXWL format is the housing mounting type with auto switch, distinguishing it from the plate-mounting variation. The E73AL designation corresponds to an SMC reed auto switch with indicator light, 2-wire in-line style, and a 3 m lead wire. Finally, the -X138 suffix is an SMC made-to-order specification related to adjustable stroke, and the catalog states that this option is intended for models with an adjusting bolt on both sides; it also notes that the stroke adjustable range becomes -12.5 mm on one side.
Product Overview
Unlike a conventional pneumatic cylinder that mainly delivers thrust, the CDBXWL10-50-E73AL-X138 is built for both motion and guidance. That distinction matters. In many automated systems, the actuator does not only push or pull; it must also keep the moving body aligned while carrying a tooling plate, sensor fixture, stopper block, or light workpiece. Because the CXWL Series uses a high-precision ball bushing guide structure, it is better suited to these tasks than a simple rod cylinder with external guidance improvised around it. SMC explicitly highlights the series for high-precision ball bushing guidance, built-in shock absorption, and reduced installation labor.
The built-in shock absorber is another practical advantage. End-of-stroke impact is one of the recurring problems in compact automation equipment, especially when cycle rates are high or payloads vary. By integrating the shock absorber into the housing, the CXWL platform reduces collision shock and noise while helping extend service stability under repetitive operation. This integrated design also reduces external component count, which can simplify machine layout and improve reliability in dense installations.
Key Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | SMC |
| Model | CDBXWL10-50-E73AL-X138 |
| Series | CXWL Series |
| Product Type | Guided cylinder / slide unit |
| Bearing Type | Ball bushing bearing |
| Mounting Style | Housing mounting type with auto switch |
| Bore Size | 10 mm |
| Stroke | 50 mm |
| Cushion | Built-in shock absorber |
| Fluid | Air |
| Proof Pressure | 1.5 MPa |
| Max. Operating Pressure | 1.0 MPa |
| Min. Operating Pressure | 0.15 MPa |
| Ambient and Fluid Temperature | -10 to 60°C (no freezing) |
| Piston Speed | 30 to 500 mm/s |
| Stroke Adjustable Range | Standard stroke: ±2 mm |
| Made-to-Order Option | -X138 adjustable stroke specification |
| Auto Switch | E73AL reed auto switch, indicator light, 2-wire, in-line, 3 m lead wire |
| Net Weight | 0.39 kg for CXWL10-50 body |
| Notes on Weight | SMC publishes 0.40 kg for the CXWL10-50 body; separate configured weight for the switch-equipped CDBXWL10-50-E73AL-X138 is not separately stated in the main series table |
These values are taken from SMC’s CXWL series catalog pages and SMC’s auto-switch catalog information. The weight figure of 0.39 kg is the official CXWL10-50 body weight shown in the series weight table.
Weight and Mechanical Value
For this size, the official SMC weight table lists the CXWL10-50 at 0.39 kg. That is the most defensible weight figure available from the series catalog and should be treated as the core product weight for engineering selection. Because your exact configured model includes an E73AL auto switch and a made-to-order -X138 option, the fully assembled shipped unit may be marginally heavier, but SMC does not separately publish a unique total configured weight for this exact suffix combination in the main catalog. So the correct way to state it is: official body weight 0.39 kg.
That weight is important in real use. A guided actuator is often mounted on frames, brackets, pick units, compact transfer modules, or tooling bases where total moving mass affects acceleration, vibration, and service life. A unit around 0.40 kg in this class is light enough for compact automation, yet substantial enough to provide the rigidity expected from a guided slide rather than a minimal rod-only cylinder. For equipment builders, this balance is useful because it supports stable motion without forcing an oversized mechanical structure. This engineering interpretation is based on the published size and weight data of the series.
Performance Characteristics
The CXWL10 platform is designed for stable operation across mainstream pneumatic conditions. SMC specifies air as the operating fluid, 1.5 MPa proof pressure, 1.0 MPa maximum operating pressure, 0.15 MPa minimum operating pressure, and a 30 to 500 mm/s piston speed range. That means the actuator can fit common industrial compressed-air systems without unusual supply requirements, while still offering a broad enough motion range for indexing, transfer, stopper, and compact shuttle applications.
SMC also publishes important performance reference data for the CXWL10 size. The catalog shows a maximum load weight of 1 kg, non-rotating accuracy of ±0.09°, and maximum holding force of 39.2 N for the end-lock model reference. In the theoretical output table, the CXWL10 row shows approximately 51 N at 0.5 MPa and 71 N at 0.7 MPa, based on a piston area of 101 mm². These are not marketing claims; they are published catalog values and help explain why the unit is suited to light-duty precision transport and positioning rather than heavy payload clamping.
Why the -X138 Version Matters
The -X138 suffix is not a cosmetic code. It changes how the stroke can be tuned. SMC lists -X138 as an adjustable stroke specification and states that it is intended for use with a model having an adjusting bolt on both sides. On the specification page, SMC further notes that this option gives a stroke adjustable range of -12.5 mm on one side, which is a major difference from the standard ±2 mm stroke adjustment range. This matters for machine builders who need fine stop-position control, travel reduction, or custom end-position tuning without moving to an entirely different stroke size.
In practical terms, this type of option can reduce redesign work. If a machine requires travel trimming for sensor clearance, stopper timing, fixture tolerance, or workpiece variation, a made-to-order adjustable-stroke version can be more efficient than changing brackets or machining new hard stops into the surrounding assembly. That is where a suffix such as -X138 becomes commercially useful rather than merely technical.
Typical Applications
The CDBXWL10-50-E73AL-X138 is well suited to small automated transfer mechanisms, precision slide positioning, compact stopper units, sensor-guided motion stages, part separation devices, and assembly stations where the moving body must stay aligned under modest side load. Because the unit integrates guidance and cushioning, it is particularly useful where space is limited and external guide rails would add cost or assembly complexity. The presence of the E73AL auto switch also makes it easier to confirm end-position feedback in machine control systems such as PLC-based automation.
It is not the right product for every duty. If the application involves high payload, severe shock, or large overturning moments far beyond the CXWL10 reference values, then a larger bore or heavier guided platform would be the more stable choice. But for compact, accurate, light-load linear handling, this model sits in a useful middle ground between miniature cylinders and more complex linear guide assemblies. That conclusion is a reasoned engineering inference from SMC’s published load, accuracy, and output data.
Conclusion
The SMC CDBXWL10-50-E73AL-X138 is a compact guided cylinder with ball bushing bearing, built-in shock absorber, 50 mm stroke, and reed auto switch feedback, developed for stable linear motion in compact automation equipment. Its official series body weight is 0.39 kg, its bore size is 10 mm, and its made-to-order -X138 adjustable-stroke feature gives it extra flexibility for customized machine travel control. For designers who need a guided pneumatic slide that is compact, accurate, and practical in real industrial layouts, this model is a technically sound choice.
