The SMC CDRB1BW63-180S is a vane type pneumatic rotary actuator designed for compact rotary movement in automated production equipment. Based on SMC’s official CRB1/CDRB1 ordering structure, this model designation corresponds to the CDRB1 series, which is the version with auto switch unit and built-in magnet, combined with basic mounting, W double-shaft construction, 63 mm size, and 180 degree single-vane rotation. The same official ordering guide identifies W as the double shaft type with long shaft key and four chamfers, and 180 / S as the 180-degree, single-vane configuration.
In the SMC product family, the CRB1/CDRB1 series is positioned as a compact vane-type rotary actuator for direct mounting applications where installation space is limited but consistent angular motion is still required. SMC’s product page describes the family as compact, space saving, highly reliable, suitable for direct mounting, available with body side and axial direction ports, and capable of unrestricted auto switch mounting positions. Those characteristics make the CDRB1BW63-180S a practical choice for part turning, indexing, stopper control, fixture opening and closing, transfer mechanisms, and other industrial tasks that need controlled pneumatic rotary movement rather than linear stroke.
Technical Summary
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | SMC |
| Model | CDRB1BW63-180S |
| Product Type | Pneumatic rotary actuator |
| Series | CRB1 / CDRB1 |
| Actuation Principle | Vane type |
| Mounting Style | Basic |
| Shaft Type | Double shaft, long shaft key and four chamfers |
| Body Size | 63 mm |
| Rotation Angle | 180° |
| Vane Type | Single vane |
| Fluid | Air, non-lube |
| Proof Pressure | 1.5 MPa |
| Operating Pressure Range | 0.15 to 1.0 MPa |
| Ambient and Fluid Temperature | 5 to 60°C |
| Rotation Time Adjustment Range | 0.1 to 1 s / 90° |
| Allowable Kinetic Energy | 0.12 J |
| Allowable Radial Load | 390 N |
| Allowable Thrust Load | 340 N |
| Port Location | Side ported or axial ported |
| Port Size | 1/8 |
| Mounting Options in Series | Basic, Foot |
| Internal Volume at 180° | 95 cm³ |
| Published Main Body Net Weight | 1330 g |
The specification values above are taken from SMC’s official CRB1 catalog and the product-family configurator. The catalog’s weight table specifically lists the size 63, 180° single-vane main body weight as 1330 g.
Product Weight
For commercial listings, quotations, and product content, the most defensible published weight for the SMC CDRB1BW63-180S is the main body weight of 1330 g, which is equivalent to 1.33 kg. SMC also lists an additional 85 g for the auto switch unit + 2 auto switches and 785 g for the foot bracket assembly in the same catalog table. In practice, that means the final installed or shipped weight can be higher depending on the exact switch arrangement and mounting hardware supplied with the actuator. For product-description purposes, however, 1.33 kg is the correct core reference weight for the actuator body itself.
| Weight Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Main body weight | 1330 g |
| Main body weight | 1.33 kg |
| Auto switch unit + 2 auto switches | +85 g |
| Foot bracket assembly | +785 g |
The table above reflects SMC’s official published catalog values and is useful when customers need a clear distinction between the actuator’s base mass and the weight of additional accessories.
Product Design and Mechanical Advantages
One of the strongest features of the CDRB1BW63-180S is its 180 degree single-vane rotary range, which is one of the most practical configurations in automated machinery. A 180-degree movement is widely used when a component must rotate from one operating side to another, when a fixture must flip a workpiece, or when a mechanism needs a clearly defined open-and-close angular sequence. In many machine layouts, 90 degrees is sufficient for a stop gate or simple changeover plate, while 180 degrees is better for full directional transfer or workpiece inversion. SMC’s official classification table confirms that 180° is a standard angle for the single-vane version of the CRB1/CDRB1 series.
The W shaft configuration is another meaningful feature for mechanical designers. According to SMC’s ordering guide, W indicates a double shaft with long shaft key and four chamfers. This is useful when the machine builder wants greater freedom in coupling, load balancing, sensing, or synchronized linkage design. A double shaft can make it easier to support symmetrical loads, add external indication mechanisms, or connect one side of the actuator to tooling and the other side to a feedback or auxiliary device. In compact automation cells, this kind of shaft arrangement often reduces the need for extra transmission parts and can simplify the overall mechanical layout.
SMC also emphasizes reliability and durability in the CRB1/CDRB1 platform. The specification section states that the use of bearings to support radial and thrust loads improves reliability and durability. For the size 63 variant, the official data gives an allowable radial load of 390 N and an allowable thrust load of 399 N. These values matter in real applications because rotary actuators often fail prematurely not because of pressure limits, but because of improper external shaft loading, overhung force, or repeated shock at the end of travel. The CDRB1BW63-180S is therefore best selected as part of a complete mechanical system, with proper attention to inertia, alignment, stop conditions, and external load direction.
Operating Performance in Automation Systems
The official SMC catalog states that the actuator uses air (non-lube), has a proof pressure of 1.5 MPa, an operating pressure range of 0.15 to 1.0 MPa, and an ambient and fluid temperature range of 5 to 60°C. The same specification page lists a rotation time adjustment range of 0.1 to 1 second per 90 degrees, which indicates that the actuator’s motion speed can be tuned with standard pneumatic flow control methods. For the size 63 single-vane version, the catalog also publishes an allowable kinetic energy of 0.12 J. These values indicate that the CDRB1BW63-180S is suitable for controlled and repeatable industrial movement, but it should not be treated as a shock-duty device for aggressive stopping without proper speed control or cushioning strategy in the surrounding mechanism.
From a practical engineering perspective, this model is a good fit for applications where clean rotary motion, moderate load, and compact installation are more important than high-speed impact handling. It can be used in packaging machinery, electronics assembly, light transfer fixtures, pick-and-place orientation stations, small automated gates, and indexing devices where pneumatic simplicity is preferred over servo-driven rotation. In many such installations, a vane type actuator remains attractive because it offers a straightforward pneumatic solution with fewer control requirements and lower integration cost than a motorized rotary axis. The official product page reinforces this positioning by highlighting compactness, direct mount capability, and flexible port direction options.
Mounting and Integration Considerations
The CRB1/CDRB1 family supports basic mounting and foot mounting, and SMC’s official tables also show that both side ported and axial ported connection arrangements are available. For the size 63 variant, the catalog lists 1/8 port size and gives the corresponding dimensional data for direct integration into machine frames and tooling plates. This is important for engineers who are designing mounting brackets, retrofitting an older rotary actuator, or trying to keep pneumatic tube routing compact in a crowded assembly. Because the series is designed for direct mounting, the actuator body itself can often be fixed directly to the machine structure without requiring a large secondary support frame.
For catalog writers and sales engineers, another important point is to avoid mixing body weight with assembled system weight. The main body is 1.33 kg, but the final installed mass can increase when switch units, brackets, fasteners, fittings, or customer-specific hardware are added. This distinction is useful not only for freight calculations, but also for moving-axis payload estimates and end-of-arm design. In short, if the goal is a clean and technically correct commercial listing, the best wording is: Published main body weight: 1.33 kg; final installed weight depends on accessory configuration.
Typical Industrial Applications
The SMC CDRB1BW63-180S is well suited for machinery that requires precise and repeatable 180-degree rotary movement. Typical applications include reversing small fixtures, rotating sensors or process tools between two operating positions, switching diverter plates, turning light components during assembly, and positioning workpieces for inspection or downstream handling. Because the actuator is compact and designed for direct mounting, it is especially useful in machines where available installation space is limited and a low-maintenance pneumatic solution is preferred. The family’s unrestricted auto switch mounting positions also support easier sensing and position confirmation in automated systems.
Its value is not limited to simple turning. In many automation projects, the combination of 180-degree travel, double shaft output, and compact vane structure gives designers a useful middle ground between a very simple quarter-turn actuator and a more expensive electric rotary module. When selected within its published shaft-load and kinetic-energy limits, the CDRB1BW63-180S can deliver dependable long-term service in repetitive duty environments. That makes it a strong option for OEM machinery, factory retrofits, and standard industrial automation cells where reliability and straightforward pneumatic integration matter more than advanced motion programming.
Conclusion
The SMC CDRB1BW63-180S is a compact vane type pneumatic rotary actuator built for reliable 180 degree motion in industrial automation systems. Its official model structure indicates a CDRB1 auto-switch-ready series, basic mounting, W double shaft design, 63 mm body size, and single-vane rotary construction. According to SMC’s published catalog data, the main body weight is 1330 g, or 1.33 kg, while the installed weight can increase when switch units or foot brackets are added. For applications such as turning, indexing, positioning, fixture transfer, and compact machine automation, this model offers a solid balance of space efficiency, mechanical simplicity, and dependable pneumatic rotary performance.
