Collection: KELM Series KC ISO 6432 Single-Acting Pneumatic Cylinders

Technical information & FAQs

KELM KC Single-Acting ISO 6432 Pneumatic Cylinders

KELM Series KC pneumatic cylinders are magnetic single-acting ISO 6432 roundline actuators designed for compact machine movements where pneumatic force is required in one direction. The range combines a slim stainless-steel cylinder barrel, stainless-steel piston rod and bumper cushioning with a broad selection of bore and stroke combinations.

KC starts at only 8 mm bore for very small automation duties and extends through to 40 mm bore for applications requiring considerably greater pneumatic force. The current Cylinder Warehouse range also includes stroke lengths through to 150 mm on selected sizes, giving KC more application flexibility than a mini pneumatic cylinder intended purely for very short movements.

Browse all KELM pneumatic cylinders, compare the wider ISO 6432 pneumatic cylinder range, or use the bore-size links below to identify the correct KC configuration.

Single-Acting Pneumatic Movement in a Slim Round Body

KC is fundamentally different from the larger double-acting KELM KI and KKS ranges. Its single-acting construction is intended for applications where pneumatic pressure only needs to perform the working movement in one direction.

This type of actuator is particularly useful for compact stops, ejectors, locating mechanisms, light clamps and other machine functions where a full double-acting pneumatic circuit is unnecessary.

KELM KC Technical Specification

Manufacturer KELM
Series KC
Product Category Single-acting roundline pneumatic cylinders
Dimensional Standard ISO 6432
Operation Single acting
Bore Sizes 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32 and 40 mm
Verified Stroke Range 10 to 150 mm depending on bore
Position Detection Magnetic piston
Barrel Configuration Roundline
Barrel Material Stainless steel
Piston Rod Stainless steel
Cushioning Bumper cushioning
Seal Material NBR
Working Pressure 2 to 10 bar
Working Temperature -20°C to +70°C
Recommended Medium Clean compressed air

KC Bore Sizes from 8 to 40 mm

The KC range gives Cylinder Warehouse one of its broadest single-acting roundline selections, covering eight piston diameters:

Stainless-Steel Barrel and Piston Rod

Stainless construction is one of the strongest technical features of KC. The verified KELM catalogue specifies stainless steel for both the round cylinder barrel and the piston rod across the range.

This gives KC a materially different construction from many economy mini pneumatic cylinders that use aluminium tubes or chrome-plated carbon-steel rods.

KC Ports and Piston-Rod Connections

The connections change as bore size increases, so the complete KC MPN should be used when replacing an installed pneumatic cylinder.

Bore Pneumatic Port Piston-Rod Thread
8 mm M5 female M4 × 0.7 male
10 mm M5 female M4 × 0.7 male
12 mm M5 female Check individual KC MPN
16 mm M5 female M6 × 1.0 male
20 mm 1/8" BSPP female M8 × 1.25 male
25 mm 1/8" BSPP female M10 × 1.25 male
32 mm 1/8" BSPP female M10 × 1.25 male
40 mm 1/4" BSPP female M12 × 1.25 male

Verified KELM catalogue data confirms the change from M5 ports on the smaller sizes to 1/8" BSPP at 20–32 mm and 1/4" BSPP at 40 mm. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Stroke Options up to 150 mm

KC is not limited to ultra-short strokes. The current catalogue includes numerous combinations from 10 mm upward, with selected 25 and 32 mm bore products reaching 150 mm stroke.

Examples include KC-25X150-S-CA and KC-32X150-S-CM, both verified as magnetic single-acting ISO 6432 roundline pneumatic cylinders. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

The 40 mm bore range also includes multiple stroke options including 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 80, 100, 125 and 150 mm configurations in current KELM listings. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Magnetic Position Detection

KC pneumatic cylinders use a magnetic piston, allowing compatible cylinder switches to provide non-contact position feedback.

This is useful on automated stops, ejectors and fixtures where the control system needs confirmation that the pneumatic cylinder has completed its movement before another machine operation begins.

Bumper Cushioning

The standard KC configuration uses bumper cushioning at the end of the stroke. This helps reduce mechanical impact as the piston reaches its end position without adding a manually adjustable pneumatic cushioning system.

This is an important distinction from KELM KI pneumatic cylinders, where adjustable cushioning is part of the larger ISO 15552 profile-cylinder design.

KC or KKS?

KELM Series Operation Body Format Primary Buying Reason
KC Single acting Stainless-steel roundline Compact pneumatic force in one direction using ISO 6432 construction
KKS Double acting Compact aluminium body Powered movement in both directions with minimum axial installation length

KC and KKS overlap in several bore sizes, but they perform different machine functions and use different body constructions.

KC or KI?

KELM KI is the larger double-acting ISO 15552 profile range, beginning at 32 mm bore and supporting much longer strokes.

KC is the better starting point where the machine is designed around a slim round single-acting pneumatic cylinder rather than a conventional rectangular profile actuator.

Examples from the KELM KC Range

KELM MPN Bore Stroke Port Rod Thread
KC-8X10-S-CA 8 mm 10 mm M5 M4 × 0.7 male
KC-16X40-S-CA 16 mm 40 mm M5 M6 × 1.0 male
KC-20X25-S-CA 20 mm 25 mm 1/8" BSPP M8 × 1.25 male
KC-25X150-S-CA 25 mm 150 mm 1/8" BSPP M10 × 1.25 male
KC-32X150-S-CM 32 mm 150 mm 1/8" BSPP M10 × 1.25 male
KC-40X40-S-CM 40 mm 40 mm 1/4" BSPP M12 × 1.25 male

Replacing an Existing KELM KC Pneumatic Cylinder

The complete KELM MPN is the strongest starting point for an exact replacement. A code such as KC-20X25-S-CA identifies a 20 mm bore × 25 mm stroke magnetic single-acting roundline pneumatic cylinder with 1/8" BSPP porting and an M8 × 1.25 male piston-rod thread. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

A visually similar ISO 6432 pneumatic cylinder can still have different porting, rod thread, overall length or operating configuration, so bore and stroke should not be used as the only replacement criteria.

Where an exact KELM unit is unavailable, browse the wider ISO 6432 pneumatic cylinder range and compare all relevant mechanical and pneumatic dimensions.

KELM KC Selection Questions

Is KELM KC definitely ISO 6432?

Yes. KELM KC is catalogued as a magnetic single-acting ISO 6432 mini and roundline pneumatic cylinder range, including the 32 and 40 mm extensions to the family. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Is KC single acting?

Yes. The current KELM catalogue classifies KC products as magnetic single-acting pneumatic cylinders.

What bore sizes are available?

The current range covers 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32 and 40 mm bore.

Does KC use stainless steel?

Yes. Verified product data specifies a stainless-steel round barrel and stainless-steel piston rod. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

What cushioning does KC use?

The standard KC specification uses bumper cushioning rather than manually adjustable pneumatic cushioning.

What pressure does KC operate at?

The verified catalogue specification gives a working pressure range of 2 to 10 bar. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

What temperature range is specified?

The verified standard specification is -20°C to +70°C. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Can KC use magnetic position switches?

Yes. Magnetic piston construction is standard throughout the verified KC catalogue.

Where can I compare the other KELM pneumatic cylinder series?

Compare KELM KI ISO 15552 pneumatic cylinders, KELM KKS compact pneumatic cylinders, or return to all KELM pneumatic cylinders.

83 pneumatic cylinder products in this range.