The CQE Series is redefining what a compact pneumatic cylinder can deliver. With its innovative polygonal piston design, it generates significantly higher output force than conventional compact cylinders of the same size without increasing operating pressure.
This means you can achieve the required force at lower pressure or obtain more force without upsizing the actuator. The result is reduced compressed air consumption, more compact machine designs and improved overall energy efficiency, all without compromising performance.
When standard compact pneumatic cylinders limit machine efficiency and design
Compressed air is one of the most widely used energy sources in industrial automation, but also one of the most expensive. As many factories push to reduce compressed air pressure to cut energy costs, compact cylinders are often the first place performance starts to drop. A small reduction in supply pressure can lead to insufficient clamping, pressing or positioning force, creating quality risks, inconsistent cycles and the temptation to resolve these issues by turning the pressure back up.
When more force is needed, the usual alternatives are not ideal either: increasing pressure drives up air consumption, operating cost and maintenance demands, while moving to a larger bore can end in redesigns, add weight to moving assemblies and take up valuable installation space. In other words, with conventional compact cylinders, achieving the required thrust all too often comes with a trade-off: energy efficiency, machine compactness, or even both.
CQE Series: high-power compact pneumatic cylinder engineered to maximise force and efficiency
The CQE Series has been developed to overcome the traditional trade-off between force, pressure and machine size. By increasing the effective piston area within the same compact footprint, it delivers higher output force without increasing cylinder dimensions.
This enables machine builders to either achieve greater force at the same pressure or maintain the required force while operating at a lower pressure, improving pneumatic efficiency without compromising performance.
Higher force at the same pressure or same force at a lower pressure
The CQE produces significantly higher output force — up to 1.5 times — than a conventional compact cylinder of equivalent size when operating at the same pressure.
Alternatively, it can achieve the same force as a standard cylinder while running at a lower pressure.
This helps reduce compressed air demand and contributes to improved overall energy efficiency.
This allows manufacturers to reduce compressed air demand and contributes to improved overall energy efficiency.
Greater design flexibility without increasing footprint
With force equivalent to a cylinder one size larger, the CQE enables the use of smaller actuators without compromising performance.
This supports the development of more compact, lightweight and efficient machines, while maintaining the required force.
Innovative polygonal piston technology
The polygonal piston construction increases the effective piston area, delivering maximum force within minimum space and preventing piston rod rotation.
This results in higher theoretical output force without increasing bore size or supply pressure, maximising performance within minimum space.
Easy replacement and simplified maintenance
The CQE is designed for mounting compatibility with existing SMC compact cylinders, allowing easy replacement without redesign.
Its maintenance-friendly construction also simplifies servicing, helping reduce downtime and improve operational continuity.
