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Automation Distribution helps you design, build, and support high-performance automation cells with SMC, Universal Robots, WAGO, Turck, PULS, Zebra, Yaskawa and more.

Cylinders

Automation Distribution is an authorized SMC Corporation of America distributor stocking over 45,000 SMC pneumatic cylinder SKUs — from compact air cylinders for tight-space automation to large-bore tie rod cylinders for heavy industrial applications. All products are genuine SMC USA (smcusa.com) components backed by full manufacturer warranty. In-warehouse stock ships same day.

SMC pneumatic cylinder series — shop by type

CQ2 compact cylinders — the world's best-selling pneumatic cylinder

The SMC CQ2 is a short-body, double acting compact air cylinder available in 15 bore sizes from ø12mm to ø200mm with 42 standard configuration options. Hard-anodized aluminum body, built-in magnet standard, auto switch mountable on all four surfaces. Variants include double acting single rod, double rod, single acting, non-rotating, long stroke (up to 300mm), anti-lateral load, water resistant, and welding environment. The NCQ2 is the updated next-generation CQ2 series with ø4–ø200 coverage and 5–13% weight reduction.

Series: CQ2, CDQ2, NCQ2, NCDQ2

CM2 round body cylinders

The SMC CM2-Z series is a stainless steel round body air cylinder offering interchangeability with other stainless steel cylinders, a bronze rod bushing standard on all bore sizes, and transparent auto switch bracket for switch status visibility. Female rod end option reduces overall length by up to 29mm. Boss-cut type available for additional space savings. Four mounting styles: front nose, double end, rear pivot, and block mount.

Series: CM2, CDM2

NCG round body cylinders

The SMC NCG is a compact, high-performance round body pneumatic cylinder with excellent seal life and corrosion resistance. Available in double acting single rod and double rod configurations with auto switch capability. Suited for general industrial automation, assembly, and packaging applications where space and reliability are the primary requirements.

Series: NCG

NCM stainless steel repairable cylinders

The SMC NCM is a repairable stainless steel round body cylinder with a wear ring for extended seal life and a bronze rod bushing standard on all bore sizes. Auto-switch capable without dimensional change. Available in double rod and spring return/spring extend configurations. Four mounting styles: front nose, double end, rear pivot, and block mount. Bore sizes 7/16" to 2", standard strokes 1/2" to 12". Ideal for corrosive, wash-down, and food-grade environments.

Series: NCM, NCDM

CS1 large-bore tie rod cylinders

The SMC CS1 is SMC's largest bore tie rod air cylinder, available in bore sizes up to ø300mm and stroke lengths up to 2400mm. Non-lube design, auto-switch capable, with multiple mounting configurations and adjustable air cushion for noise damping at end of stroke. Used in heavy-load press, clamping, and material handling applications requiring high thrust output.

Series: CS1

CS2 tie rod cylinders

The SMC CS2 is a double acting, single rod, non-lube tie rod air cylinder with aluminum die-cast rod and head covers delivering up to 50% weight reduction compared to equivalent bore sizes. Air cushions standard on both ends. Available in bore sizes 125mm to 320mm with maximum strokes up to 1600mm. Suited for high-cycle, high-force automation where weight savings reduce machine inertia.

Series: CS2

NCA1 NFPA tie rod cylinders

The SMC NCA1 is an NFPA-interchangeable medium-duty tie rod cylinder available in 11 mounting styles and bore sizes from 1.5" to 8". Pre-lubricated, crimped piston rod assembly, auto-switch capable. The NCA1 is the North American standard for industrial pneumatic cylinder replacement and new machine builds requiring NFPA dimensional compliance. Used across automotive, packaging, machine tool, and material handling industries.

Series: NCA1, NCDA1

How to select the right SMC air cylinder

Bore size determines thrust force. Use SMC's theoretical output formula (Force = Pressure × Bore Area) as a starting point, then derate for friction, back pressure, and duty cycle. At 0.5 MPa, a CQ2 ø32mm produces approximately 40N push force; ø63mm approximately 156N; ø100mm approximately 393N.

Body style determines repairability, mounting flexibility, and environmental suitability. Compact cylinders (CQ2, NCQ2) minimize envelope. Tie rod cylinders (CS1, NCA1) are field-repairable and suited for heavy loads. Round body cylinders (CM2, NCG, NCM) offer a slim profile and interchangeability. Stainless steel (NCM) is required for wash-down and corrosive environments.

Stroke should match the required travel with a small margin — oversized strokes increase cycle time and air consumption without benefit. Long-stroke variants (CQ2Z up to 300mm) are available for applications where a standard compact cylinder falls short.

Mounting options on SMC cylinders include through-hole (standard CQ2), both ends tapped, front flange, rear flange, double clevis, foot mount, and NFPA styles (NCA1). Select based on your structural interface and whether pivot mounting is needed for rod-end alignment.

Need help selecting a cylinder? Call us at 1-888-600-3080 or use our cylinder part number builder at smc.automationdistribution.com to generate a complete part number, then contact us for pricing and availability.

Frequently asked questions — SMC pneumatic cylinders

What is the difference between a compact cylinder and a tie rod cylinder?Compact cylinders (SMC CQ2, NCQ2) have a short overall body length and are designed for space-constrained machine installations. They are not field-repairable. Tie rod cylinders (SMC CS1, NCA1) use external tie rods to hold the end caps, making them fully repairable in the field by replacing seals. Tie rod cylinders are also available in larger bore sizes for higher thrust applications.
What does "non-lube" mean on an SMC air cylinder?Non-lube means the cylinder is factory-lubricated with a grease that does not require additional lubrication from the compressed air supply. Running a non-lube SMC cylinder with an oil lubricator in the air line will wash out the factory grease and shorten seal life. Non-lube cylinders are preferred in food processing and clean environments where oil mist in the exhaust air is undesirable.
What is the difference between CQ2 and NCQ2?The NCQ2 is the next-generation version of the SMC CQ2 compact cylinder. The NCQ2 (CDQ2 in global part numbering) offers a broader bore range (ø4–ø200), 5–13% weight reduction over the equivalent CQ2, and small auto switches mountable on all four surfaces without projection. Both series use the same port locations and mounting patterns, making the NCQ2 a direct dimensional upgrade for CQ2 replacements.
Are SMC NCA1 cylinders NFPA interchangeable?Yes. The SMC NCA1 series is fully NFPA-interchangeable, meaning the mounting dimensions conform to NFPA T3.6.7 standards. NCA1 cylinders can replace other NFPA-compliant cylinders from Parker, Bimba, Clippard, and other manufacturers in the same mounting envelope. Available in 11 mounting styles, bore sizes 1.5" to 8".
Do SMC cylinders come with auto switches included?SMC cylinders include a built-in piston magnet as standard on most series (CQ2, NCQ2, CM2, NCM, NCA1), which allows compatible SMC auto switches to be mounted externally in the switch groove without disassembling the cylinder. Auto switches are ordered separately. The cylinder part number suffix indicates whether an auto switch is pre-installed (e.g., "DC" suffix = with built-in magnet, auto switch ordered separately).