The SMC MSQB20-20 is a compact pneumatic rotary table designed for applications that require controlled angular positioning, stable load support, and efficient integration into automated machinery. In practical engineering terms, this model belongs to SMC’s MSQ series rotary table family, which is built around a rack-and-pinion rotary mechanism and is widely used where designers need a compact rotating platform rather than a simple shaft-style rotary actuator. The MSQ series is intended for direct workpiece mounting, repeatable rotary motion, and compact installation, making it suitable for transfer equipment, inspection fixtures, indexing stations, and assembly machinery.
Although the exact public catalog notation most commonly seen today is MSQB20A for the basic type with angle adjustment, the model reference MSQB20-20 is commercially understandable as a size 20 MSQB basic rotary table in the same product family. From a buyer’s point of view, the main value of this unit is straightforward: it combines the actuator body and rotary table into one compact assembly, reducing the need for extra coupling parts, additional mounting bases, or more complicated rotary drive arrangements. This helps machine builders simplify design, improve installation efficiency, and reduce tolerance stacking in compact automation systems.
Key Technical Summary
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | SMC |
| Model Reference | MSQB20-20 |
| Product Family | MSQ Series Rotary Table |
| Type | MSQB Basic Type |
| Nominal Size | 20 |
| Operating Principle | Rack-and-pinion rotary table |
| Rotation Range | 0° to 190° |
| Typical Cushioning | Rubber bumper on adjustment-bolt type |
| Operating Medium | Compressed air, non-lube |
| Ambient / Fluid Temperature | 0 to 60°C |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 1.0 MPa |
| Minimum Operating Pressure | 0.1 MPa for adjustment-bolt type |
| Port Size | M5 x 0.8 for size 20 |
| Net Weight | 0.95 kg |
| Mounting Style | Direct table mounting for workpiece or fixture |
The technical values above are based on the current MSQ series catalog for MSQB basic type, size 20, with adjustment bolt, which lists a weight of 950 g and describes the size 20 MSQ platform as part of the 0° to 190° rotary table range.
Product Weight
For listing, quotation, and catalog purposes, the most defensible published weight for the size 20 MSQB basic type is 950 g, or 0.95 kg, excluding auto switch weight. This is the value shown in the current MSQ series catalog under the weight table for Basic type / MSQB / Size 20 / With adjustment bolt. In practical terms, this means the unit is compact enough for small and medium pneumatic indexing duties while still offering a more substantial and stable table structure than miniature rotary units.
This weight matters in several real-world situations. First, it is useful for international quotations and freight estimation. Second, it affects fixture design because the actuator body and rotary table become part of the moving or supported mass in the machine. Third, correct weight information reduces the risk of confusion with nearby models such as size 10, size 30, or shock-absorber variants, all of which can differ in mass and allowable kinetic energy. If a customer is comparing alternatives for spare parts or for a new machine module, listing the verified 0.95 kg figure improves commercial accuracy.
Structural Design and Functional Value
The design philosophy of the MSQ series is different from that of a plain rotary shaft actuator. Instead of giving the user only a rotating output shaft, SMC provides a rotary table surface supported by rolling elements and a structure intended for direct load mounting. This design is valuable because it allows the engineer to mount tooling, fixtures, or workpieces directly onto the table, which simplifies the overall machine structure and reduces the number of custom transition parts required between the actuator and the load. SMC’s catalog also emphasizes easy workpiece mounting, large rolling element bearings, and easy center alignment at mounting, which are all practical benefits in automated equipment design.
Another important advantage is the rack-and-pinion drive principle. This mechanism is well suited for repeatable pneumatic rotary motion because it provides stable angular travel within a compact body. For indexing, orienting, and reversing light-to-medium loads, a rack-and-pinion rotary table like the MSQB20 basic type offers a good balance between cost, simplicity, and performance. It is especially attractive in systems that already use compressed air and do not require the higher complexity of a servo indexing platform.
Operating Characteristics
The MSQ series catalog states that the basic type can be adjusted through a 0° to 190° rotation range, with the size 20 version included in that family. This makes the product useful for two-position transfer, part flipping, directional presentation, and intermediate-angle positioning where moderate rotational flexibility is required. The rotary table turns according to air supplied to the A or B port, and the angle can be adjusted using the adjustment mechanism in the standard basic type.
For size 20 basic type units with adjustment bolt, the catalog lists 1.0 MPa maximum operating pressure and 0.1 MPa minimum operating pressure, while the medium is compressed air (non-lube) and the permissible ambient and fluid temperature range is 0 to 60°C. These values indicate that the actuator is intended for normal industrial pneumatic environments rather than extreme high-temperature or highly contaminated service. In practical machine design, stable air quality and appropriate speed control remain essential for long service life and consistent performance.
Typical Applications
| Industry or Machine Type | Example Use of MSQB20-20 |
|---|---|
| Assembly Equipment | Turning a component to the next processing angle |
| Inspection Stations | Presenting one or more faces of a part to a camera or sensor |
| Packaging Machinery | Rotating products or holders before marking or labeling |
| Transfer Systems | Changing the workpiece orientation between stations |
| Jig and Fixture Systems | Controlled angular positioning of compact tooling |
| Electronics / Precision Automation | Compact indexing where installation space is limited |
The MSQB20-20 is especially suitable where designers want a compact and standardized rotary table rather than a custom-made turning mechanism. In many machines, the real requirement is not unlimited rotational control but a repeatable two-position or limited-angle movement with solid load support. That is exactly the type of duty where the MSQ platform is strong.
Engineering Selection Considerations
When choosing a rotary table, engineers should not select only by model number or outside dimensions. Rotary actuator performance is strongly influenced by load mass, moment of inertia, distance from the rotation center, operating speed, and stopping energy. SMC’s MSQ catalog includes allowable kinetic energy and rotation-time guidance, which shows clearly that proper sizing is necessary even when the actuator appears mechanically capable of carrying the load. A poorly balanced load or excessive inertia can reduce repeatability and shorten service life.
For that reason, the MSQB20-20 should be viewed as a compact and robust pneumatic indexing platform, but not as a universal solution for every rotary duty. It performs best when the load is appropriately sized, the center of gravity is kept close to the table center, and speed is adjusted correctly through the pneumatic circuit. In professional machine building, these details make the difference between a rotary table that runs smoothly for a long time and one that suffers unnecessary wear.
Commercial Positioning
From a sales and SEO perspective, this product should be positioned as a compact SMC pneumatic rotary table for repeatable indexing and direct load mounting. Buyers usually search using combinations such as SMC MSQB20, SMQ series rotary table, pneumatic rotary table, rack and pinion rotary actuator, or compact indexing actuator. A product page that clearly states the weight, size class, operating range, and application value will generally perform better than a generic one-line description because industrial buyers care about exact fit, installation practicality, and application suitability.
Conclusion
The SMC MSQB20-20 can be understood as a size 20 MSQB basic pneumatic rotary table in SMC’s MSQ family, intended for compact automation tasks that require stable rotary positioning, direct workpiece mounting, and repeatable angular movement. Based on current public MSQ catalog data for the matching size 20 basic type, the most reliable published product weight is 0.95 kg, with a 0° to 190° rotation range, M5 port size, compressed air operation, and a compact rack-and-pinion rotary table structure. For assembly, inspection, packaging, and transfer machinery, it is a practical and commercially strong choice where pneumatic indexing is preferred over more complex electric motion hardware.
