The SMC CDRB1BW50-90D is a vane-type pneumatic rotary actuator designed for compact rotary motion in industrial automation equipment. In SMC’s CRB1/CDRB1 family, the designation indicates a CDRB1 variation with auto switch provision, a 50 mm body size, and a 90 degree double-vane configuration. SMC’s official product family page describes the CRB1/CDRB1 series as a compact, space-saving rotary actuator suitable for direct mounting, with high reliability, body-side or axial port options, and flexible auto switch mounting positions.
For machine builders and maintenance buyers, this model sits in a useful middle ground between a simple quarter-turn pneumatic device and a more complex electric rotary axis. It is intended for applications where the designer needs stable angular movement, repeatable end positioning, straightforward pneumatic control, and a body compact enough to fit into densely packed automation layouts. In packaging lines, small transfer fixtures, stopper mechanisms, orientation stations, and light-duty indexing devices, a 90 degree rotary actuator like the CDRB1BW50-90D can reduce linkage complexity and simplify the overall mechanical design.
Technical Summary
The following table summarizes the official catalog data for the size 50, 90 degree, double-vane configuration within the SMC CRB1/CDRB1 family.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | SMC |
| Model | CDRB1BW50-90D |
| Product Type | Pneumatic rotary actuator |
| Series | CRB1 / CDRB1 |
| Actuation Principle | Vane type |
| Size | 50 |
| Rotation Angle | 90° |
| Vane Type | Double vane |
| Operating Medium | Air, non-lube |
| Operating Pressure Range | 0.15 to 1.0 MPa |
| Proof Pressure | 1.5 MPa |
| Ambient and Fluid Temperature | 5 to 60°C |
| Rotation Time Adjustment Range | 0.1 to 1 s / 90° |
| Allowable Kinetic Energy | 0.112 J |
| Allowable Radial Load | 245 N |
| Allowable Thrust Load | 196 N |
| Port Location | Side ported or axial ported |
| Port Size for Size 50 | 1/8 |
| Mounting Style in Series | Basic, Foot |
| Internal Volume at 90° Double Vane | 48 cm³ |
Product Weight
For this configuration, SMC’s official CRB1 catalog lists the main body weight of the size 50, 90 degree, double-vane model as 830 g, which is 0.83 kg. The same catalog also lists +65 g for the auto switch unit plus two auto switches, and +385 g for the foot bracket assembly. Because CDRB1 belongs to the with-auto-switch branch of the family, the exact installed or supplied weight can vary with the selected switch arrangement and accessories. The most defensible core weight to publish is therefore main body weight: 830 g, while noting that a switched assembly will be heavier.
The weight breakdown below is the cleanest way to present the product in quotation sheets, product pages, and procurement lists.
| Weight Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Main body weight | 830 g |
| Main body weight | 0.83 kg |
| Auto switch unit + 2 auto switches | +65 g |
| Foot bracket assembly | +385 g |
Product Design and Configuration Logic
One of the most important features of the CDRB1BW50-90D is its double-vane construction. In SMC’s CRB1 family data, the double-vane versions are associated with 90 degree standard rotation and 100 degree semi-standard rotation, while the larger 180 degree and 270 degree ranges are listed under the single-vane configurations. That matters because a double-vane structure is usually selected when a designer wants a compact rotary actuator optimized for shorter-angle motion with stable output characteristics, rather than wider angular travel. For 90 degree turning tasks, this is often the more practical configuration.
From a machine-design standpoint, a 90 degree actuator is one of the most commonly required formats in pneumatic rotation. It is widely used for opening and closing stops, indexing small tooling, turning grippers or fixtures between two positions, switching guide plates, and repositioning components between process stages. The 90 degree movement is mechanically simple, easy to control with standard pneumatic valves and speed regulators, and usually easier to integrate than wider-angle rotary systems. That is one reason compact vane-type actuators remain common in factory automation despite the wider availability of electric motion solutions.
Why the CDRB1BW50-90D Fits Compact Automation
The CRB1/CDRB1 family is explicitly described by SMC as compact, space saving, and suitable for direct mount applications. That is commercially significant. In many real machines, the available installation envelope is not defined by the actuator alone, but by nearby sensors, workpiece guides, tubing paths, guarding, and tool access. A compact rotary actuator that can mount directly to the machine frame helps reduce extra brackets, saves assembly time, and often improves rigidity. For OEM equipment manufacturers, this can translate into a cleaner design and lower parts count.
SMC also emphasizes high reliability for this series, and the official catalog supports that positioning with defined allowable shaft loads and kinetic-energy values. For the size 50 double-vane configuration, the catalog lists 245 N allowable radial load, 196 N allowable thrust load, and 0.112 J allowable kinetic energy. Those values are not just theoretical. They are important selection limits for preventing premature wear, output-shaft overload, and shock-related damage in service. In practice, many pneumatic rotary actuators underperform because they are selected by angle alone while the inertia, offset load, or stop impact is ignored. The CDRB1BW50-90D should be selected as a component of the complete rotating mechanism, not just as a stand-alone actuator body.
Operating Characteristics in Industrial Service
The official SMC specifications state that this family uses air (non-lube), with an operating pressure range of 0.15 to 1.0 MPa, a proof pressure of 1.5 MPa, and an ambient/fluid temperature range of 5 to 60°C. The catalog also gives a rotation time adjustment range of 0.1 to 1 second per 90 degrees, which means the motion can be tuned with conventional pneumatic flow control to balance cycle time against impact and stability. For users in automated production, this allows the actuator to be adapted to different process speeds without changing the core actuator model.
The listed 48 cm³ internal volume for the size 50, 90 degree, double-vane version is also useful in system design because it affects air consumption and response characteristics. In high-cycle machines, that can matter for valve sizing, tubing layout, and compressed-air efficiency. While the actuator is compact, it should still be integrated with appropriate pneumatic components so that the desired rotation speed is achieved without excessive shock at the stroke end. Good engineering practice is to combine published SMC limits with conservative flow control and careful load matching.
Mounting and Porting Considerations
The official CRB1 family data lists both basic and foot mounting styles and states that the product family is available with body-side or axial port locations. For the size 50 body, the catalog lists a 1/8 port size. This gives the integrator flexibility when planning tube routing and installation geometry. In compact machines, port direction can make a significant difference in whether the actuator fits cleanly or forces a redesign of surrounding hardware. That flexibility is one of the practical reasons the CRB1/CDRB1 family remains attractive in general-purpose industrial automation.
Another practical issue is how to state weight correctly in a commercial product introduction. Many listings confuse the actuator body weight with the installed assembly weight. In this case, SMC separates the figures clearly: 830 g main body, +65 g for the auto switch unit and two switches, and +385 g for the foot bracket assembly. For SEO content, catalog content, and quotation sheets, the safest wording is: Published main body weight: 0.83 kg. Final assembly weight depends on switch and bracket configuration. That wording is accurate and avoids overstating precision when the suffix-defined switch option is not specified.
Typical Applications
The SMC CDRB1BW50-90D is well suited for quarter-turn automation tasks where compact size, repeatable motion, and pneumatic simplicity are more important than programmable multi-axis motion. Typical uses include rotary clamps, workpiece turners, diverter mechanisms, stop gates, light indexing fixtures, and transfer tooling in packaging, electronics assembly, and general factory automation. Because the CRB1/CDRB1 series supports direct mounting and flexible switch mounting, it also works well in machines where position confirmation is required but installation space is limited.
For buyers comparing alternatives, the main appeal of this model is straightforward: it offers a compact pneumatic solution for 90 degree rotation, with published SMC performance limits, known weight data, and a well-established industrial platform. That makes it easier to specify, easier to replace, and easier to document than many less standardized rotary products. When used within the official load, pressure, and speed limits, it is a practical and low-complexity choice for repetitive rotary motion in industrial equipment.
Conclusion
The SMC CDRB1BW50-90D is a compact double-vane pneumatic rotary actuator intended for reliable 90 degree industrial motion. According to SMC’s official CRB1/CDRB1 catalog data, the size 50 double-vane 90 degree version has a main body weight of 830 g, an allowable kinetic energy of 0.112 J, 245 N allowable radial load, 196 N allowable thrust load, and support for direct mounting, side or axial porting, and auto switch integration. For product listings and technical descriptions, it is best presented as a space-saving rotary actuator for short-angle automation duty, with 0.83 kg as the core published body weight and additional mass depending on switch and bracket options.
