Collection: Airtec Series NADA Anti-Rotation ISO 21287 Pneumatic Cylinders

Technical information & FAQs

Airtec NADA Anti-Rotation Compact Pneumatic Cylinders

Airtec Series NADA pneumatic cylinders are double-acting compact actuators with a non-rotating piston rod for machinery where attached tooling must maintain its angular orientation during extension and retraction.

The ISO 21287 compact construction keeps overall cylinder length down while the anti-rotation mechanism provides greater control over the orientation of pushers, clamps, locating tools and other components connected directly to the piston rod.

For standard compact actuation without the anti-rotation feature, compare Airtec NAD pneumatic cylinders. You can also browse the wider ISO 21287 pneumatic cylinder range or return to Airtec pneumatic cylinders.

When Piston-Rod Rotation Matters

A conventional pneumatic cylinder primarily controls linear movement. Unless the attached mechanism provides separate guidance, the piston rod may still be able to rotate around its axis.

That can create problems when the rod carries a shaped pusher, stop, clamp, locating finger or other item that must repeatedly approach the workpiece at the same angle.

NADA is designed specifically for these applications. Its non-rotating piston rod helps preserve the orientation of attached tooling while retaining the short installation dimensions associated with an ISO 21287 compact pneumatic cylinder.

Airtec NADA Technical Specification

Manufacturer	AIRTEC
Series	NADA
Product Category	Anti-rotation compact pneumatic cylinders
Dimensional Standard	ISO 21287
Operation	Double acting
Piston Rod	Non-rotating stainless-steel piston rod
Verified Bore Range	20 to 100 mm across confirmed NADA products
Position Detection	Magnetic piston
Cylinder Switch Types	Airtec D and A series
Head and End Cap	Aluminium
Cylinder Tube	Anodised aluminium
Piston Rod Material	Stainless steel
Seal Materials	NBR / PUR
Maximum Operating Pressure	10 bar
Temperature Range	-20°C to +80°C
Rod Thread Option	External male thread available with -AG option

Compact Anti-Rotation Movement Across Multiple Bore Sizes

NADA allows the anti-rotation principle to be used across a wide range of machine-force requirements. Verified products include 20, 32, 50, 63, 80 and 100 mm bore pneumatic cylinders.

20 mm bore pneumatic cylinders — small positioning, stop and tooling movements.
32 mm bore pneumatic cylinders — compact automation and fixture applications.
50 mm bore pneumatic cylinders — increased force for clamping and handling duties.
63 mm bore pneumatic cylinders — higher-force positioning where tooling orientation still matters.
80 mm bore pneumatic cylinders — substantial compact pneumatic movement.
100 mm bore pneumatic cylinders — high-force applications without moving away from the compact format.

Anti-Rotation for Clamping and Positioning

The most valuable NADA applications are usually those where the component attached to the piston rod has a defined orientation.

A rectangular stop, clamp jaw or locating feature that rotates even slightly may no longer meet the component squarely. By restricting piston-rod rotation, NADA provides a more appropriate actuator platform for this type of machine function than a conventional compact pneumatic cylinder.

ISO 21287 Compact Dimensions

NADA follows the ISO 21287 compact pneumatic cylinder format. This makes the range particularly relevant to machine builds and replacement applications where installation length and standard mounting geometry are important.

ISO conformity is an important starting point for compatibility, but it should not be used on its own to choose a replacement. Bore, stroke, mounting, piston-rod connection, anti-rotation requirement and pneumatic port must still be checked against the existing actuator.

For cross-brand comparison, browse ISO 21287 compact pneumatic cylinders.

Magnetic Position Detection

Airtec NADA pneumatic cylinders use a magnetic piston, allowing compatible Airtec D- and A-series cylinder switches to provide non-contact position feedback.

This means the control system can confirm that the anti-rotation tooling has reached its commanded position before another part of the machine cycle begins.

Internal or External Piston-Rod Thread

Airtec also provides NADA configurations with an external male piston-rod thread using the -AG designation.

The rod connection is especially important on an anti-rotation pneumatic cylinder because the attached tooling is frequently mounted directly to the piston rod. Match the original thread arrangement wherever possible when replacing an installed NADA.

NAD or NADA?

Airtec Series	Piston-Rod Arrangement	Best Choice When...
NAD	Standard piston rod	A straightforward double-acting compact pneumatic movement is required
NADA	Non-rotating piston rod	Attached tooling must maintain its orientation during the stroke

The two series share the Airtec ISO 21287 compact-cylinder platform, but NADA adds a mechanical function that can be critical to the machine. A standard NAD should therefore not automatically replace an existing NADA simply because its bore and stroke match.

NADA or NXDA?

Airtec also has the NXDA anti-rotation pneumatic cylinder range. Both provide compact double-acting movement with rotational restraint, but they belong to different Airtec compact-cylinder platforms.

For replacement work, start from the actual manufacturer MPN rather than treating NXDA and NADA as automatically interchangeable. The body dimensions, mounting geometry and connection details need to match the machine.

Anti-Rotation Does Not Mean Unlimited Side-Load Capacity

NADA prevents unwanted piston-rod rotation, but that is not the same thing as providing a dedicated external linear guide.

If the tooling creates significant lateral force, an overhung load or a large bending moment, the application should be checked against the permitted cylinder loading. For demanding external loads, compare guided pneumatic cylinders designed specifically to support tooling and resist moments.

Replacing an Existing Airtec NADA

The full manufacturer part number should be the starting point. A code such as NADA 32/40 identifies a 32 mm bore, 40 mm stroke anti-rotation ISO 21287 pneumatic cylinder, while other sizes have different rod threads, mounting dimensions and pneumatic connections.

Do not identify the replacement from bore and stroke alone. Confirm that the original cylinder is NADA rather than NAD, because losing the anti-rotation feature can change how the connected tooling behaves.

Airtec NADA Selection Questions

What is the main difference between NADA and NAD?

NADA has a non-rotating piston rod. NAD is the standard double-acting version. Choose NADA when the angular orientation of the component attached to the piston rod matters.

Is Airtec NADA definitely ISO 21287?

Yes. Verified Airtec NADA product data identifies the range as an ISO 21287 compact pneumatic cylinder family.

Does NADA need a position sensor?

Not necessarily, but the standard magnetic piston means compatible Airtec cylinder switches can be added when the machine needs electrical confirmation of actuator position.

Can NADA replace a guided pneumatic cylinder?

Not automatically. NADA controls piston-rod rotation, whereas a dedicated guided pneumatic cylinder is designed to support external loads and moments. The required load support should determine which design is appropriate.

Can I replace NADA with another manufacturer's ISO 21287 pneumatic cylinder?

Potentially, but ISO 21287 alone is not enough. The alternative must also be checked for anti-rotation functionality, bore, stroke, mounting geometry, rod connection, port size and sensor arrangement.

Where can I compare other Airtec compact pneumatic cylinders?

Return to the Airtec pneumatic cylinder range, compare Airtec NAD pneumatic cylinders, or browse all ISO 21287 compact pneumatic cylinders.

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48 pneumatic cylinder products in this range.

Airtec
NADA100/100
100mm bore x 100mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/100

£201.87 EX VAT

£242.24 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA100/125
100mm bore x 125mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/125

£209.78 EX VAT

£251.73 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA100/150
100mm bore x 150mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/150

£217.73 EX VAT

£261.27 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA100/25
100mm bore x 25mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/25

£178.05 EX VAT

£213.66 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA100/30
100mm bore x 30mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/30

£179.64 EX VAT

£215.57 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA100/40
100mm bore x 40mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/40

£182.83 EX VAT

£219.39 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA100/50
100mm bore x 50mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/50

£185.99 EX VAT

£223.19 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA100/60
100mm bore x 60mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/60

£189.17 EX VAT

£227.00 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA100/80
100mm bore x 80mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA100/80

£195.50 EX VAT

£234.60 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA20/20
20mm bore x 20mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA20/20

£53.93 EX VAT

£64.71 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA20/25
20mm bore x 25mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA20/25

£54.25 EX VAT

£65.10 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA20/60
20mm bore x 60mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA20/60

£56.54 EX VAT

£67.85 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA25/30
25mm bore x 30mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA25/30

£56.34 EX VAT

£67.61 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA25/50
25mm bore x 50mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA25/50

£57.74 EX VAT

£69.29 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA32/125
32mm bore x 125mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA32/125

£77.13 EX VAT

£92.55 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA32/150
32mm bore x 150mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA32/150

£79.62 EX VAT

£95.54 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA32/5
32mm bore x 5mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA32/5

£65.20 EX VAT

£78.24 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA32/50
32mm bore x 50mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA32/50

£69.69 EX VAT

£83.63 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA32/60
32mm bore x 60mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA32/60

£70.68 EX VAT

£84.81 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA40/125
40mm bore x 125mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA40/125

£80.94 EX VAT

£97.13 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA40/30
40mm bore x 30mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA40/30

£71.48 EX VAT

£85.77 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA40/60
40mm bore x 60mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA40/60

£74.47 EX VAT

£89.36 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA40/80
40mm bore x 80mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA40/80

£76.45 EX VAT

£91.74 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA50/10
50mm bore x 10mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA50/10

£81.60 EX VAT

£97.92 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA50/100
50mm bore x 100mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA50/100

£96.49 EX VAT

£115.79 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA50/150
50mm bore x 150mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA50/150

£104.77 EX VAT

£125.72 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA50/25
50mm bore x 25mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA50/25

£84.09 EX VAT

£100.91 INC VAT

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Airtec
NADA50/30
50mm bore x 30mm stroke
ISO 21287 | ISO 21287 Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NADA50/30

£84.89 EX VAT

£101.87 INC VAT

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