By designing industrial machinery and systems for an operating pressure of 4-bar, rather than 7-bar, end users can cut their energy consumption by up to 29%. With such an enormous environmental benefit on offer, the question is how to turn this idea into reality?

Here at SMC, thinking about our energy-saving products, we offer both ISO and non-ISO cylinders; each has its own attributes and advantages.

Beneficial in a variety of different applications

ISO cylinders prove beneficial in a variety of different applications which, in addition to their consistency in dimensions (regardless of pneumatic supplier), is why they remain popular for industrial machinery projects around the world. However, if you really want to push energy efficiency to new levels, I would suggest that non-ISO solutions are the product of choice.

Our engineers in Japan are always looking to design more efficient alternatives in order to drive down energy consumption and help OEMs create more sustainable solutions. We believe that more compact and lighter is the way forward for those seeking ultra-efficient solutions.

Less material means lighter machines and lower shipping costs. Smaller products ultimately lead to smaller machine footprints. More machine lines can be installed into factories increasing productivity.

And, although I can’t state that lighter and smaller always translates into less air consumption, fitting such components to moving parts of the machine can translate into less energy consumption.

To give you an idea of the difference between ISO and non-ISO, here’s one example: compared with the SMC C96-C ISO cylinder (50mm bore, 100mm stroke), the length of our new JMB series demonstrates an 18% length reduction, while width is 9% less and weight is 39% lighter. Notably, it is possible to deliver air consumption savings through the use of intermediate bore sizes.

For instance, to move a workpiece with a weight of 37 kg, a cylinder with a bore diameter of 43 mm or more is required (if operating at 5-bar pressure).

Previously, a conventional 50mm diameter bore would have been the closest option since the next smallest size, 40mm, has insufficient output. However, with the newly released JMB cylinder in 45mm diameter bore, sufficient output is available while also saving air due to a 0.4L (ANR) reduction in air consumption compared with the 50mm variant.

SMC's JMB Series – Offers intermediate bores

Customers frequently tell me they want more compact cylinders that still offer optimal performance while also reducing energy requirements.

Unfortunately, achieving these optimisations and the high levels of energy consumption savings that the climate crisis demands, is extremely difficult within the constraints of ISO 15552.

Although we of course continue supporting customers with an extensive range of ISO cylinders and options, we’re advancing the development of other cylinder ranges – such as our JMB series – to satisfy market demand for more compact and energy-efficient products. We are at a time of critical decision-making for the entire planet. Let us make the right choices.