The SMC CRB1BW50-180S is a vane type pneumatic rotary actuator designed for compact rotary motion in industrial automation systems. From the model code and the official CRB1 series ordering structure, this configuration belongs to the CRB1 basic type, uses a W shaft type (double shaft, long shaft key and four chamfers), has a 50 mm body size, and is configured as a 180° single-vane rotary actuator. In the official catalog family, the CRB1 series is positioned as a compact, direct-mount rotary actuator with a robust internal bearing structure, selectable port arrangements, and a space-saving body suitable for repetitive rotary indexing and transfer tasks.
Unlike many conventional rack-and-pinion rotary actuators, the CRB1 series uses a vane mechanism that keeps the body relatively compact while delivering stable angular motion. This makes the CRB1BW50-180S well suited for installations where available mounting space is limited but repeatable rotary movement is still required. It is commonly considered for part turning, stopper rotation, transfer positioning, small fixture actuation, and packaging or assembly stations where a clean and mechanically simple pneumatic rotary solution is preferred. SMC’s official product information also highlights the series as compact, highly reliable, and suitable for direct mounting, with both side and axial port options available across the range.
Key Technical Summary
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | SMC |
| Model | CRB1BW50-180S |
| Product Type | Pneumatic rotary actuator |
| Series | CRB1 |
| Actuation Principle | Vane type |
| Mounting Code | B = Basic |
| Shaft Type | W = Double shaft, long shaft key and four chamfers |
| Body Size | 50 mm |
| Rotation Angle | 180° |
| Vane Type | Single vane |
| Operating Pressure Range | 0.15 to 1.0 MPa |
| Proof Pressure | 1.5 MPa |
| Ambient / Fluid Temperature | 5 to 60°C |
| Speed Regulation Range | 0.1 to 1 s / 90° |
| Allowable Kinetic Energy | 0.082 J |
| Allowable Radial Load | 245 N |
| Allowable Thrust Load | 196 N |
| Main Body Net Weight | 790 g |
Source note: The CRB1 series specification table lists the size 50 single-vane actuator data, and the weight table lists 790 g for the 180° version of the size 50 main body. The configurator also confirms that W is the double-shaft type and 180S means 180° single vane.
Product Weight
For buyers who need a clear reference for logistics, bracket loading, or end-of-arm design, the official CRB1 series catalog gives the main body weight of the 50 mm, 180° single-vane version as 790 g, which can also be expressed as 0.79 kg. This is the actuator body weight published by SMC for the corresponding configuration. The same catalog page also shows that additional accessories change the total mass: an auto switch unit adds weight, and a foot bracket assembly adds further mass. Therefore, for engineering calculations, 0.79 kg should be treated as the actuator body reference weight, while the final installed weight depends on the exact accessory combination.
Design Features and Functional Value
A strong advantage of the SMC CRB1BW50-180S is that it combines compact dimensions with a full 180-degree rotary stroke, which is often a practical angle for component inversion, gate movement, chute switching, or fixture opening and closing. Because this model is a single-vane type, it supports larger rotation angles such as 180° within the CRB1 platform. In contrast, the double-vane versions in this family are associated with shorter rotation angles but higher torque at the same pressure. For users selecting a rotary actuator based on angular travel rather than maximum torque density, the CRB1BW50-180S represents a balanced configuration inside the CRB1 family.
Another important design point is the double-shaft arrangement indicated by the W shaft code. In practical machine design, a double-shaft structure can simplify coupling, improve layout flexibility, and make it easier to integrate position indication, link mechanisms, or symmetrical loading arrangements. It also gives the designer additional freedom when the driven mechanism must be supported from both sides or when the machine requires an output on the opposite side of the body. This can be valuable in automation equipment where compactness and linkage simplicity directly affect assembly time and long-term maintenance efficiency. The official configurator identifies W specifically as the double-shaft long-shaft keyed type with four chamfers.
The CRB1 series is also built around an internal bearing-supported structure. According to the official product documentation, the use of bearings improves support for radial and thrust loads, contributing to durability and operating stability. For the size 50 series data, SMC publishes an allowable radial load of 245 N and an allowable thrust load of 196 N. These values matter because many rotary actuators fail in real applications not from pressure limits alone, but from poor load alignment, excessive overhung load, or repeated shock at the end of stroke. A model such as CRB1BW50-180S is therefore best understood not only as a rotary motion device, but as a component whose life and stability depend on respecting shaft load and kinetic-energy limits during machine design.
Performance Considerations in Real Applications
From the official CRB1 specifications, the actuator operates over a pressure range of 0.15 to 1.0 MPa, with a proof pressure of 1.5 MPa, and a speed regulation range of 0.1 to 1 second per 90 degrees. In engineering practice, this means the CRB1BW50-180S can be tuned for relatively smooth and controlled angular motion, but it should still be sized according to the driven inertia and required cycle time. The catalog also lists an allowable kinetic energy of 0.082 J for the size 50 single-vane version, which is a critical selection parameter when the load has meaningful inertia or when the application requires fast acceleration and deceleration. If the rotating load is too large or the stop occurs too aggressively, service life and repeatability can suffer.
This is why the CRB1BW50-180S is especially suitable for moderate-load, controlled-motion automation tasks rather than uncontrolled high-impact rotary movement. Typical good-fit applications include rotary jigs, indexing of lightweight fixtures, turning small assemblies between work stations, opening or closing guide plates, and pneumatic orientation systems in packaging lines. It is also attractive where electric rotary actuators would add unnecessary cost or control complexity. In many factories, a pneumatic vane actuator remains a preferred solution because it is simple, fast to install, and easy to support with standard valves, regulators, and flow controls. The CRB1 platform supports this use case well because it offers a compact body, broad angular options, and straightforward mounting logic.
Installation and Integration Notes
For integration into machinery, the CRB1 family supports basic and foot mounting arrangements, and SMC also provides reference screw sizing for direct body mounting. For size 50, the catalog shows a reference L dimension of 48 mm with M6 screw guidance for direct mounting. This is useful for designers preparing mounting plates or retrofitting existing assemblies. The same documentation also shows that the family supports side ported or axial ported versions. In the CRB1 naming convention, the standard CRB1BW style corresponds to the side-ported form, while axial-ported versions are identified differently in the ordering structure.
For users purchasing this exact model, one practical point is to distinguish between the base actuator weight and the final installed assembly weight. The main body is 790 g, but bracket kits, switches, fittings, couplings, and external hardware will change the finished assembly mass. That matters for shipping estimates, EOAT calculations, and moving-axis payload budgets. For catalog and product-content purposes, however, 0.79 kg is the correct primary weight figure to publish for the main actuator body of SMC CRB1BW50-180S.
Why Choose SMC CRB1BW50-180S
The SMC CRB1BW50-180S is a practical choice when an application needs 180-degree pneumatic rotary motion, a compact body, and a mechanically robust rotary actuator without the added complexity of electric servo rotation. Its model structure indicates a double-shaft configuration, which is often advantageous in fixture design and mechanical coupling. The official CRB1 series data further supports its use in automation systems that require stable rotary movement under normal industrial pneumatic conditions, with published limits for pressure, shaft load, and kinetic energy that help engineers size the unit correctly.
In short, if your project requires a reliable rotary actuator for turning, indexing, positioning, or transfer movement, the SMC CRB1BW50-180S offers a strong balance of compactness, usable rotation range, and established SMC platform reliability. Its official main body weight is 790 g, its configuration is clearly traceable from the CRB1 ordering logic, and its performance envelope makes it a credible choice for many light- to medium-duty pneumatic rotary tasks in industrial automation.
