Pneumatics

Pneumatic components for machine builds, retrofits, and MRO, organized the way an air circuit is built: air supply and treatment, valves, actuators, connections, vacuum, and sensing. SMC Corporation of America is the core line, with John Guest push-in fittings and Schmalz vacuum components in the same tree. Automation Distribution is an authorized SMC distributor.

Pick the subcategory by what the part does in the circuit, then narrow by series. Not sure which series fits? Jump to the selection guide or the ordering notes below the product list.

Shop Pneumatics by Function

1. Air Supply & Treatment

Air Dryers & Main Line Filters: IDF, IDG, AFF

Air Preparation (FRL): AC, AW, AR, AF, AL, ITV

2. Valves

Solenoid Valves & Valve Manifolds: SY, SYJ, VQC, VX2, JSX

Directional Control Valves: air pilot, mechanical, and hand operated

3. Cylinders & Actuators

Cylinders: CQ2, NCQ2, CM2, NCG, NCM, NCA1, CS1

Actuators: MGP guided, MY1 rodless, rotary, stopper, clamp, LEY and LEF electric

Grippers: air and electric grippers

4. Fittings, Tubing & Flow

Fittings, Tubing & Flow Control: KQ2 one-touch fittings, TU and TN tubing, AS speed controllers, John Guest push-in fittings

5. Vacuum & Sensing

Vacuum Products: ZK2 vacuum units, ZP suction cups, ZSE vacuum switches, Schmalz

Pneumatic Sensors & Switches: ISE20 and ZSE20 pressure switches, D-M9 auto switches

Pneumatic Component Selection Guide

Start from the job the component has to do. The series listed are common starting points within each SMC family, not the full range.

The job Go to SMC series to start with Confirm before ordering
Remove water, oil mist, and particulate from the main line Air Dryers & Main Line Filters IDF refrigerated dryers, IDG membrane dryers, AFF main line filters Flow rate, required pressure dew point, supply voltage for powered dryers
Filter, regulate, or lubricate air at the machine Air Preparation (FRL) AC combination units, AW filter-regulators, AR, AF, AL Port size and thread type, gauge, drain style, mounting bracket
Set pressure from a PLC signal Air Preparation (FRL) ITV electro-pneumatic regulators Pressure range, input signal type, output (analog or switch)
Switch air to a cylinder from a PLC output Solenoid Valves & Valve Manifolds SY and SYJ 5-port valves, VQC manifold valves Body ported or base mounted, coil voltage, electrical connection, number of stations
Turn air, water, or oil on and off in a line Solenoid Valves or Fluid Process VX2 and JSX direct operated 2-port valves, VXD pilot operated 2-port valves Media, body material, seal material, orifice and port size
Push, pull, or lift in a straight line Cylinders CQ2 and NCQ2 compact, CM2 and NCG round body, NCA1 NFPA tie rod, CS1 large bore Bore, stroke, mounting, built-in magnet for auto switches
Carry a side load or keep the rod from rotating Actuators (Guided Actuators) MGP compact guide cylinders Load mass and overhang, bearing type, stroke
Long stroke in a short envelope Rodless Cylinders MY1 mechanically jointed, magnetically coupled types Guide type, load and moment, stroke adjusters and shock absorbers
Multiple stop positions or programmable speed Electric Actuators LEY rod type, LEF slider type Motor type, controller or driver, cable length, communication protocol
Pick and place with suction Vacuum Products ZK2 vacuum units, ZP suction cups, ZSE vacuum switches Workpiece surface and porosity, cup diameter and material, ejector or pump supply
Connect tubing and control cylinder speed Fittings, Tubing & Flow Control KQ2 one-touch fittings, TU and TN tubing, AS speed controllers Tube OD (metric or inch), port thread, meter-in or meter-out
Hold process fluid at a set temperature Chillers HRS thermo-chillers, HRSH inverter type, HRL dual channel for lasers Cooling capacity, temperature stability, air or water cooled, circulating fluid

Specialty Environments

Environment Go to What to look for
Lithium-ion and other secondary battery production Secondary Battery The 25A- prefix on SMC part numbers. These variations remove copper and zinc where possible and use a low dew point grease. Motors, cables, controllers, and drivers on electric versions still contain copper and zinc.
Semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and medical device clean rooms Clean Room Products Clean series cylinders, valves, and fittings. Confirm the required clean room class against the SMC series catalog.
Aggressive chemicals and high purity fluids Chemical Handling Equipment Fluoropolymer valves, fittings, and flow control. Check wetted materials against the media.
Water, oil, steam, and other non-air media Fluid Process Process valves, regulators, and flow controllers rated for the fluid and temperature.
Static-sensitive assembly, film, and packaging Static Control IZS bar ionizers and nozzle or fan type ionizers sized to the distance and area being neutralized.

Ordering Notes That Prevent Returns

  • Auto switches are separate parts. SMC cylinders with a built-in magnet carry a D in the series code (CDQ2 versus CQ2, NCDA1 versus NCA1). Order the magnet version, then add the auto switch, such as a D-M9 solid state switch, as its own line or as the switch suffix on the cylinder part number.
  • Match the thread to the port. Many SMC series are built in Rc, NPT, and G threads, and the thread code is part of the part number. A replacement FRL, valve, or fitting with the wrong thread will not seal.
  • Metric and inch tubing do not mix. KQ2 fittings and SMC tubing come in metric OD and inch OD sizes. Match the fitting to the tube OD, not to the nominal port size.
  • Lubrication is a commitment. Most SMC cylinders and valves are non-lube types. Once lubricated air is introduced, keep lubricating, because the oil washes out the factory grease.
  • Manifold valves need the right base. Base-mounted valves only fit their matching manifold. Specify the manifold, station count, and blanking plates together.
  • Discontinued SMC part? Use the SMC Discontinued Part Cross-Reference to find the current successor before you reorder.

Pneumatics FAQ

Is Automation Distribution an authorized SMC distributor?

Yes. Automation Distribution is an authorized distributor of SMC Corporation of America, so SMC parts are sourced through SMC's official channel and carry the factory warranty. See SMC authorized distributor for details on the partnership.

What is the difference between the Cylinders and Actuators categories?

Cylinders holds standard rod-type air cylinders: compact, round body, tie rod, stainless steel, and clean series. Actuators holds motion products built for a specific job, including guided cylinders, rodless cylinders, rotary actuators, stopper cylinders, clamps, grippers, and SMC electric actuators. If the part guides a load, rotates, or replaces a cylinder with a motor, start in Actuators.

What does the 25A- prefix mean on an SMC part number?

The 25A- prefix marks SMC variations built for secondary battery manufacturing. SMC removes copper and zinc from these parts where possible and uses a low dew point grease that keeps lubricity in dry production rooms. Electric versions still use copper and zinc in the motor, cables, and controller.

How do I find a replacement for a discontinued SMC part?

Enter the old part number in the SMC Discontinued Part Cross-Reference to see the current successor. If the successor changes mounting dimensions, ports, or electrical connection, contact Automation Distribution to confirm it fits before ordering.

Can I build a full SMC part number online?

Yes. The SMC product configurator walks through bore, stroke, mounting, options, and switches to produce a complete orderable part number. Send that part number to Automation Distribution for pricing and lead time.

Do I need a lubricator on an SMC pneumatic system?

Usually not. Most SMC cylinders and valves are non-lube designs that are greased at the factory. Adding a lubricator washes out that grease, and from then on the circuit has to stay lubricated, so add an AL lubricator only when the component catalog calls for it.

Need Help Specifying a Pneumatic Circuit?

Automation Distribution helps with cylinder sizing, valve and manifold configuration, FRL selection, pneumatic to electric conversion, and SMC cross-references. Send a part number, a drawing, or a description of the motion.

Contact Automation Distribution or call 1-888-600-3080