Collection: Airtec Series NXEE Normally-Extended Compact Pneumatic Cylinders

Technical information & FAQs

Airtec NXEE Normally-Extended Compact Pneumatic Cylinders

Airtec Series NXEE pneumatic cylinders are compact single-acting actuators designed to sit with the piston rod extended when the cylinder is at rest. Applying compressed air retracts the rod, while the internal spring returns it to the extended position when pneumatic pressure is removed.

This operating behaviour makes NXEE particularly useful for machine stops, locating mechanisms, locks, gates and other functions where the actuator needs to return automatically to an extended position if the pneumatic signal is removed.

For powered movement in both directions, compare Airtec NXD compact pneumatic cylinders. For the wider single-acting NX platform, see Airtec NXE pneumatic cylinders, or return to the complete Airtec pneumatic cylinder range.

The Key NXEE Feature: Extended at Rest

NXEE should be selected around the required fail or rest position of the machine. With no pneumatic pressure applied, the spring drives the piston rod outward. When pressure is supplied, the piston moves against the spring and retracts the rod.

This can provide a useful default machine condition. A stop can remain engaged, a locating pin can remain inserted or a mechanism can remain in its extended position until the control system deliberately applies air to retract it.

Airtec NXEE Technical Data

Manufacturer	AIRTEC
Series	NXEE
Product Category	Normally-extended compact pneumatic cylinders
Operation	Single acting
Rest Position	Piston rod extended
Pneumatic Movement	Pressure retracts the piston rod
Return Movement	Spring extends the piston rod
Position Detection	Magnetic piston
Cylinder Tube	Anodised aluminium
End Caps	Anodised aluminium
Piston Rod	1.4305 stainless steel on verified versions
Seal Material	PUR on verified versions
Maximum Operating Pressure	10 bar
Verified Temperature Range	-20°C to +80°C
Rod Options	Internal female thread or -AG external-thread versions

Short-Stroke Pneumatic Movement for Stops and Locks

The NXEE products in Cylinder Warehouse are concentrated around short strokes such as 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm. That makes the range particularly suited to machine functions where the actuator only needs enough travel to engage or release a mechanical feature.

Examples include pallet stops, locating pins, interlocks, component retainers and fixture movements. In these applications, the spring-extended rest position can be more important than the total travel of the pneumatic cylinder.

NXEE Bore Options in Cylinder Warehouse

The current catalogue contains NXEE pneumatic cylinders across a broad range of bore sizes, allowing the same normally-extended operating principle to be used at different force levels.

16 mm bore pneumatic cylinders for lightweight compact mechanisms.
20 mm bore pneumatic cylinders for general small-machine duties.
25 mm bore pneumatic cylinders where additional spring-return force is required.
32 mm bore pneumatic cylinders for stronger compact stop and fixture applications.
40 mm bore pneumatic cylinders for higher-force short-stroke movement.
50 mm bore pneumatic cylinders for substantial compact actuation.
63 mm bore pneumatic cylinders where short travel but considerable actuator force is needed.

Internal or External Piston-Rod Thread

Standard NXEE products use an internal female thread in the piston rod. Airtec also offers -AG versions with an external piston-rod thread.

That distinction matters during replacement because the rod connection determines how the pneumatic cylinder attaches to the machine tooling. For example, NXEE 50/25-AG is the normally-extended 50 mm bore, 25 mm stroke version with the alternative external-thread rod arrangement. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Magnetic Position Feedback

Verified NXEE pneumatic cylinders use an integrated magnetic piston for non-contact position sensing. Compatible Airtec cylinder switches can therefore confirm whether the actuator has reached its required position.

This is particularly useful for normally-extended machine functions because the PLC can verify that a stop, locator or locking mechanism has actually returned to its default position before allowing the next stage of the machine cycle.

NXEE Compared with NXE and NXD

Airtec Series	Operating Behaviour	Why Buy It?
NXEE	Single acting, normally extended	The piston rod must automatically extend when pressure is removed
NXE	Single-acting NX family with multiple spring-position configurations	Compact single-acting actuation selected around the required rest position
NXD	Double acting	Both extension and retraction need pneumatic power

Airtec's current NXE technical catalogue now incorporates both normally-retracted and normally-extended versions under the broader NXE family. Cylinder Warehouse retains NXEE as its own collection because NXEE is an actual manufacturer series value carried by the products already in your catalogue and is useful for exact legacy/replacement searches. Airtec's current NXE documentation confirms the wider single-acting family structure. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Replacing an Existing NXEE Pneumatic Cylinder

Do not replace an NXEE simply with another compact pneumatic cylinder of the same dimensions. The normally-extended spring behaviour may be a deliberate part of the machine's safe or default state.

Check the full Airtec MPN, bore, stroke, piston-rod thread and pneumatic port. For example, verified NXEE 32/10 uses a 32 mm bore, 10 mm stroke, G1/8 pneumatic port and M6 internal piston-rod thread. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

If the exact NXEE is unavailable, start with the Airtec pneumatic cylinder range before considering a cross-brand compact pneumatic cylinder alternative.

NXEE Purchasing Questions

What happens to an NXEE pneumatic cylinder if the air supply is removed?

The internal spring returns the piston rod to its extended rest position. This is the defining operating characteristic of NXEE.

Why would a machine designer want the piston rod extended by default?

A normally-extended actuator can keep a stop, locator, lock or similar mechanism engaged until compressed air is deliberately applied to retract it.

What does -AG mean on an NXEE part number?

Verified NXEE catalogue data uses -AG for a piston rod with an external thread. Standard versions use an internal female rod thread, so the connection style should be matched during replacement. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Can I replace NXEE with NXD?

Not without changing the pneumatic circuit and machine behaviour. NXD is double acting, whereas NXEE is single acting and spring-extended at rest.

Why does Cylinder Warehouse keep NXEE separate if Airtec now groups extended versions under NXE?

Because existing Airtec products and installed machinery still carry NXEE manufacturer part numbers. Keeping an NXEE collection gives buyers a direct route from the exact code on their machine to the correct replacement products.

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91 pneumatic cylinder products in this range.

Airtec
NXEE20/10
20mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/10

£50.28 EX VAT

£60.33 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/10-AG
20mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/10-AG

£50.28 EX VAT

£60.33 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/15
20mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/15

£51.00 EX VAT

£61.20 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/15-AG
20mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/15-AG

£51.00 EX VAT

£61.20 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/20
20mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/20

£51.58 EX VAT

£61.89 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/20-AG
20mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/20-AG

£51.58 EX VAT

£61.89 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/25
20mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/25

£52.28 EX VAT

£62.73 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/25-AG
20mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/25-AG

£52.28 EX VAT

£62.73 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/5
20mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/5

£49.57 EX VAT

£59.48 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE20/5-AG
20mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE20/5-AG

£49.57 EX VAT

£59.48 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/10
25mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/10

£57.50 EX VAT

£69.00 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/10-AG
25mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/10-AG

£57.50 EX VAT

£69.00 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/15
25mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/15

£58.30 EX VAT

£69.96 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/15-AG
25mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/15-AG

£58.30 EX VAT

£69.96 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/20
25mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/20

£59.08 EX VAT

£70.89 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/20-AG
25mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/20-AG

£59.08 EX VAT

£70.89 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/25
25mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/25

£59.88 EX VAT

£71.85 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/25-AG
25mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/25-AG

£59.88 EX VAT

£71.85 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/5
25mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/5

£56.48 EX VAT

£67.77 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE25/5-AG
25mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE25/5-AG

£56.48 EX VAT

£67.77 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE32/10
32mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE32/10

£63.32 EX VAT

£75.98 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE32/10-AG
32mm bore x 10mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE32/10-AG

£63.32 EX VAT

£75.98 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE32/15
32mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE32/15

£64.42 EX VAT

£77.30 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE32/15-AG
32mm bore x 15mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE32/15-AG

£64.42 EX VAT

£77.30 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE32/20
32mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE32/20

£65.43 EX VAT

£78.51 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE32/20-AG
32mm bore x 20mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE32/20-AG

£65.43 EX VAT

£78.51 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE32/25
32mm bore x 25mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE32/25

£66.28 EX VAT

£79.53 INC VAT

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Airtec
NXEE32/5
32mm bore x 5mm stroke
Manufacturer Standard | Compact Pneumatic Cylinder
Manufacturer Part Number NXEE32/5

£62.28 EX VAT

£74.73 INC VAT

View Details