EMC SQKR Right-Turning Clamping Pneumatic Cylinders
EMC Series SQKR pneumatic cylinders are double-acting swivel clamps designed to rotate the clamping arm clear of the workpiece before applying the final linear clamping movement. The SQKR version turns clockwise during clamping, providing a defined right-turning motion for fixtures, jigs, machining stations and automated workholding systems.
Unlike a conventional linear pneumatic cylinder, SQKR combines rotary clearance and linear clamping in a single actuator. This allows the clamp arm to move away from the workpiece during loading or unloading, then rotate back into position before completing the clamping stroke.
Browse all EMC pneumatic cylinders, compare other clamping pneumatic cylinders, or see the opposite rotation direction in the EMC SQKL left-turning range.
Clockwise Rotation During Clamping
The defining difference between SQKR and SQKL is the direction of the swivel movement.
SQKR turns clockwise during the clamping movement. The corresponding SQKL version turns counter-clockwise.
This is an important replacement detail because the surrounding fixture is normally designed around the path followed by the clamping arm. Selecting the wrong rotation direction can cause the arm to move into tooling, guards or the workpiece itself.
EMC SQKR Technical Specification
| Manufacturer |
EMC |
| Series |
SQKR |
| Product Category |
Swivel clamping pneumatic cylinders |
| Operation |
Double acting |
| Rotation Direction |
Right turning / clockwise during clamping |
| Swivel Angle |
90° ±10° |
| Bore Sizes |
16, 20, 25, 32 and 40 mm |
| Clamping Stroke |
10, 20 and 30 mm; 50 mm also available on 32 and 40 mm bore versions |
| Position Detection |
Magnetic piston |
| Cylinder Switch Type |
D series |
| Cushioning |
Rubber cushioning |
| Body Material |
Anodised aluminium |
| Piston Rod |
Hard-chrome-plated steel |
| Seal Materials |
NBR / PUR |
| Maximum Operating Pressure |
10 bar |
| Operating Temperature |
-10°C to +70°C on verified SQKR product data |
| Clamp Arm |
Removable and adjustable in 90° increments |
How the SQKR Clamping Movement Works
SQKR combines two movements within one actuator. When released, the clamp arm lifts and rotates away from the work area. During clamping, the arm rotates clockwise towards the workpiece and then completes the final linear clamping stroke.
This keeps the work area open during component loading and removal while still providing positive pneumatic clamping once the part is in position.
The arrangement is particularly useful on automated fixtures where a fixed vertical clamp would obstruct access for the operator, robot or workpiece.
16 to 40 mm Bore SQKR Pneumatic Cylinders
SQKR Bore and Stroke Availability
| Bore |
Clamping Strokes |
Pneumatic Port |
| 16 mm |
10, 20, 30 mm |
M5 |
| 20 mm |
10, 20, 30 mm |
M5 |
| 25 mm |
10, 20, 30 mm |
M5 |
| 32 mm |
10, 20, 30, 50 mm |
G1/8 |
| 40 mm |
10, 20, 30, 50 mm |
G1/8 |
90° Swivel Movement
EMC specifies a nominal rotation of 90° with a tolerance of ±10°. The swivel movement is what allows the clamp arm to clear the component during loading and unloading.
For workholding applications, this can be much more useful than a conventional straight-line pneumatic cylinder because the tooling only occupies the clamping area when the machine actually needs to secure the part.
Removable Clamp Arm
The standard SQKR design is supplied with a removable lever arm. Published product data states that the arm can be repositioned in 90° increments.
This gives the machine builder additional flexibility when aligning the clamp with the fixture, but the required swing path should still be checked before installation.
Magnetic Position Sensing
EMC SQKR pneumatic cylinders use a magnetic piston and support compatible D-series cylinder switches.
This allows the machine control system to confirm the position of the clamping actuator before the next production process begins.
On automated workholding, position confirmation can be critical because machining, assembly or welding should not normally begin until the component has been correctly secured.
SQKR or SQKL?
| EMC Series |
Rotation During Clamping |
Choose It When... |
| SQKL |
Counter-clockwise / left turning |
The clamp needs to approach the workpiece from the left-turning direction |
| SQKR |
Clockwise / right turning |
The clamp needs to approach from the right-turning direction |
The two pneumatic cylinder ranges are mechanically related, but their rotation directions are opposite. They should therefore remain separate collections so a buyer can identify the correct clamp directly from the existing manufacturer code.
SQKR and SMC MKB Replacement Searches
EMC publishes the SQK family around the same general swivel-clamp concept used by the SMC MKB range, and verified distributor data states that the principal dimensions are identical to SMC Series MKB.
This makes SQKR relevant for engineers searching for a replacement around an existing MKB-style clamping arrangement.
However, bore and stroke alone are not enough for substitution. Check rotation direction, swivel angle, clamp-arm position, pneumatic ports, mounting dimensions, sensor arrangement and required clamping force before changing manufacturer.
Example: EMC SQKR 40/20
SQKR 40/20 is a 40 mm bore × 20 mm clamping-stroke right-turning swivel clamp with a G1/8 pneumatic connection.
Verified product data specifies clockwise rotation at the terminal end, a 90° ±10° swivel angle, magnetic piston, removable adjustable lever arm, anodised aluminium body, hard-chrome-plated steel piston rod, NBR / PUR seals and a maximum operating pressure of 10 bar.
Example: EMC SQKR 25/20
EMC's own SQK ordering example uses SQKR 25 × 20-S for a 25 mm bore, 20 mm clamping-stroke, right-turning configuration with G thread and clamp arm.
This ordering example is useful because it confirms directly from the manufacturer that R = right rotation within the SQK part-number structure.
Important Installation Considerations
Verified SQKR application guidance states that the pneumatic cylinder should be operated vertically or suspended, that clamping should occur on a level surface and within the specified clamping stroke, and that the workpiece should be stationary during clamping.
The actuator is intended to secure a correctly positioned component rather than arrest or capture a moving workpiece.
EMC SQKR Selection Questions
What does the R in SQKR mean?
R identifies the right-turning version. The clamp rotates clockwise during the clamping movement.
How far does SQKR rotate?
The standard swivel angle is 90° with a specified tolerance of ±10°.
Is SQKR double acting?
Yes. Standard SQKR swivel clamping pneumatic cylinders are double acting.
What bore sizes are available?
The standard documented range covers 16, 20, 25, 32 and 40 mm bore.
What clamping strokes are available?
16, 20 and 25 mm bore versions use 10, 20 and 30 mm clamping strokes. The 32 and 40 mm bore versions also support a 50 mm clamping stroke.
Is SQKR magnetic?
Yes. The standard range uses a magnetic piston and supports compatible D-series cylinder switches.
Can the clamp arm be repositioned?
Yes. Verified product data states that the removable lever arm can be adjusted in 90° increments.
Can SQKR replace SQKL?
Not if the fixture requires the existing rotation direction. SQKR turns clockwise while SQKL turns counter-clockwise.
Can EMC SQKR replace an SMC MKB clamp?
The principal dimensions are documented as corresponding to SMC Series MKB, making SQKR useful for replacement comparison. The complete application specification still needs to be checked before substitution.
Where can I compare other EMC clamping pneumatic cylinders?
Compare the EMC SQKL range, browse all clamping pneumatic cylinders, or return to the complete EMC pneumatic cylinder range.
