Collection: Airtec Series NXE Single-Acting Compact Pneumatic Cylinders

Technical information & FAQs

Airtec NXE Single-Acting Compact Pneumatic Cylinders

Airtec Series NXE pneumatic cylinders are compact single-acting actuators for machinery that needs a defined return position when pneumatic pressure is removed. Depending on the selected version, the piston rod can be normally retracted or normally extended, allowing the pneumatic cylinder to be matched to the required fail position and machine sequence.

The NXE family covers bore sizes from 12 to 100 mm while retaining a short compact body. Magnetic position sensing, built-in cushioning rings and a choice of male or female piston-rod threads make the range suitable for positioning, locking, ejecting, clamping and other short-stroke automation functions.

For powered movement in both directions, compare Airtec NXD compact pneumatic cylinders. You can also browse the wider Airtec compact pneumatic cylinder range or return to Airtec pneumatic cylinders.

Normally Retracted or Normally Extended?

This is the most important NXE purchasing decision. Airtec offers Series NXE with two different spring positions, so the pneumatic cylinder can return to the state required by the machine when air pressure is removed.

Version	Rod Thread	Rest Position
000	Male	Normally retracted
010	Female	Normally retracted
200	Male	Normally extended
210	Female	Normally extended

These four configurations are not interchangeable details. The rest position affects how the machine behaves when the control signal or compressed-air supply is removed, while the rod-thread version determines how the pneumatic cylinder connects mechanically to the tooling.

Airtec NXE Technical Specification

Manufacturer	AIRTEC Pneumatic GmbH
Series	NXE
Product Category	Single-acting compact pneumatic cylinders
Bore Sizes	12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 80 and 100 mm
Operation	Single acting
Rest Positions	Normally retracted or normally extended
Maximum Stroke	60 mm
Standard Strokes	5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm
Position Detection	Magnetic piston for cylinder switches
Cushioning	Built-in cushioning rings
Cylinder Tube	Anodised aluminium
End Caps	Anodised aluminium
Piston Rod	Stainless steel
Seals	PU and NBR; FKM optional
Operating Pressure	1 to 10 bar
Temperature Range	-10°C to +80°C in Airtec's current technical sheet

Short-Stroke Pneumatic Movement from 5 mm

Series NXE is concentrated on short machine movements. Standard strokes are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm, while additional lengths can be supplied up to a maximum of 60 mm.

That makes NXE particularly relevant to mechanisms that only need enough travel to engage a stop, locate a component, operate a latch, eject a part or move a compact fixture. For longer powered travel, the double-acting Airtec NXD range is usually the more appropriate starting point.

Ten Bore Sizes Without Moving to a Larger Cylinder Format

Although NXE is designed around short strokes, Airtec offers a very broad range of piston diameters. This allows engineers to increase available pneumatic force without abandoning the compact actuator format.

Bore	Pneumatic Port	Male Rod Thread	Female Rod Thread
12 mm	M5	M6	M3
16 mm	M5	M8	M4
20 mm	M5	M10 × 1.25	M5
25 mm	M5	M10 × 1.25	M5
32 mm	G1/8	M10 × 1.25	M6
40 mm	G1/8	M10 × 1.25	M6
50 mm	G1/8	M12 × 1.25	M8
63 mm	G1/8	M12 × 1.25	M8
80 mm	G1/8	M16 × 1.5	M10
100 mm	G1/4	M20 × 1.5	M12

A Defined Position When Air Is Removed

The spring arrangement is the feature that gives NXE its particular value on machinery. A normally retracted version returns the piston rod into the cylinder when pneumatic pressure is removed, while a normally extended version returns it outward.

That can be important for machine stops, locks, gates, locating mechanisms and similar functions where the designer wants the actuator to adopt a known mechanical state rather than simply remain wherever the pneumatic circuit leaves it.

Male or Female Rod Connection

Both spring positions can be ordered with male or female piston-rod threads. That gives buyers four distinct standard operating combinations without needing to modify the tooling connection separately.

For replacement work, preserve both parts of the specification: rest position and rod-end type. Two NXE pneumatic cylinders with the same bore and stroke can still behave differently or fail to connect to the existing tooling if those details do not match.

Magnetic Position Feedback

Airtec NXE uses a magnetic piston so compatible proximity sensors can confirm the pneumatic cylinder position without mechanical contact.

This allows the spring-return action to be monitored by the machine control system — useful where the PLC needs confirmation that a lock, stop or locator has returned to its expected position before another movement begins.

NXE or NXD?

Airtec Series	Operation	Maximum Published Stroke	Primary Reason to Buy
NXE	Single acting	60 mm	Defined spring-return position in a compact pneumatic cylinder
NXD	Double acting	250 mm on Airtec's current public range	Powered extension and retraction with greater stroke capability

Both belong to Airtec's wider NX compact-cylinder platform, but they should not be treated as substitutes. Changing NXE to NXD alters the pneumatic circuit and removes the defined single-acting spring position.

NXE Buying Decisions

Should my NXE be normally retracted or normally extended?

Choose the position the machine needs the piston rod to adopt when pneumatic pressure is removed. Airtec provides both arrangements as standard NXE configurations.

The existing NXE has a female piston-rod thread. Does that affect the replacement code?

Yes. Airtec uses different version codes for male and female rod threads, so the connection should be matched to avoid modifying the machine tooling.

Can I order an NXE with a 40 mm stroke?

Yes, Airtec allows additional stroke lengths up to 60 mm even though the principal standard lengths are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm.

Can NXE tell the machine when the spring has returned the piston?

Yes. The standard range incorporates a magnetic piston so compatible Airtec proximity sensors can provide non-contact position confirmation.

I need powered movement in both directions. Should I still use NXE?

No. If both extension and retraction need to be pneumatically powered, start with Airtec NXD compact pneumatic cylinders instead.

Request Quote

93 pneumatic cylinder products in this range.

Airtec
NXE100/10
100mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE100/10

£173.28 EX VAT

£207.93 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE100/15
100mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE100/15

£176.24 EX VAT

£211.49 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE100/20
100mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE100/20

£179.10 EX VAT

£214.92 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE100/25
100mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE100/25

£182.08 EX VAT

£218.49 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE12/10
12mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE12/10

£41.69 EX VAT

£50.03 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE12/5
12mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE12/5

£41.22 EX VAT

£49.46 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE16/10
16mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE16/10

£43.40 EX VAT

£52.08 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE16/15
16mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE16/15

£43.94 EX VAT

£52.73 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE16/20
16mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE16/20

£44.40 EX VAT

£53.28 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE16/25
16mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE16/25

£44.79 EX VAT

£53.75 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE16/5
16mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE16/5

£42.93 EX VAT

£51.51 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE20/10
20mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE20/10

£45.23 EX VAT

£54.27 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE20/15
20mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE20/15

£45.85 EX VAT

£55.02 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE20/20
20mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE20/20

£46.42 EX VAT

£55.70 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE20/25
20mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE20/25

£47.32 EX VAT

£56.78 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE20/5
20mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE20/5

£44.50 EX VAT

£53.40 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE25/10
25mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE25/10

£50.38 EX VAT

£60.45 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE25/15
25mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE25/15

£51.19 EX VAT

£61.43 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE25/20
25mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE25/20

£51.85 EX VAT

£62.22 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE25/25
25mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE25/25

£52.85 EX VAT

£63.42 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE25/5
25mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE25/5

£49.57 EX VAT

£59.48 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE32/10
32mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE32/10

£56.39 EX VAT

£67.67 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE32/15
32mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE32/15

£57.50 EX VAT

£69.00 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE32/20
32mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE32/20

£58.30 EX VAT

£69.96 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE32/5
32mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE32/5

£55.44 EX VAT

£66.53 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE32/50
32mm bore x 50mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE32/50

£64.74 EX VAT

£77.69 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE40/10
40mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE40/10

£69.48 EX VAT

£83.37 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXE40/15
40mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXE40/15

£70.72 EX VAT

£84.86 INC VAT

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