SC Pneumatic Cylinder I/Y Type Mounting Fitting Pin Connector – MAL MA Air Cylinder Accessory

Description

SC Standard Pneumatic Cylinder I/Y Type Mounting Fitting with Pin Connector – MAL/MA Air Cylinder Accessory

Rod end mounting fittings (I-type and Y-type) connect the piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder to the load being actuated. The fitting threads onto the cylinder rod end and provides a pivot point — allowing the cylinder to drive loads that move in an arc or require angular compensation, rather than being restricted to pure linear motion. These fittings are standard accessories for SC, MAL, and MA series pneumatic cylinders and are specified by bore size to match the rod thread diameter.

I-Type vs Y-Type — Rod End Fitting Selection

I-type (rod eye / clevis eye): A closed loop (eye) at the rod end. Accepts a pin through the eye for pivot connection to the load. Provides a single pivot axis. Used for linear-to-rotary motion conversion, lever actuation, and any application where the load pivots around a fixed pin. The closed eye provides higher load capacity than Y-type.
Y-type (knuckle joint / fork clevis): An open fork (Y-shape) at the rod end. The load bracket fits between the fork arms; a pin passes through both fork arms and the load bracket. Provides a single pivot axis with the ability to accommodate slight misalignment. Easier to assemble and disassemble than I-type. Used for valve actuation, door mechanisms, and applications requiring frequent rod end replacement.

Key Specifications

Compatible Cylinders: SC series (standard bore), MAL series (mini aluminum), MA series (standard aluminum)
Sizes: Matched to cylinder bore: SC/MAL/MA 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100mm bore
Material: Carbon steel (zinc-plated) or stainless steel (variant dependent)
Thread: Metric female thread matching cylinder rod end (M8×1.25 to M27×2.0 depending on bore size)
Pin: Included — hardened steel pivot pin with cotter pin or snap ring retention

Bore Size to Rod Thread Reference

Bore 16mm: Rod thread M8×1.25
Bore 20mm: Rod thread M10×1.25
Bore 25mm: Rod thread M12×1.25
Bore 32mm: Rod thread M14×1.5
Bore 40mm: Rod thread M16×1.5
Bore 50mm: Rod thread M20×1.5
Bore 63mm: Rod thread M22×1.5

What Questions Does This Product Answer?

"What is the difference between I-type and Y-type cylinder fittings?" — I-type (rod eye) has a closed loop — higher load capacity, requires pin removal for disassembly. Y-type (knuckle/fork) has an open fork — easier assembly/disassembly, accommodates slight angular misalignment. Both provide a single pivot axis.
"How do I select the correct fitting size for my cylinder?" — Match the fitting to the cylinder bore size (e.g., SC40 cylinder requires a 40mm bore fitting). The fitting’s internal thread must match the cylinder rod thread — verify against the cylinder datasheet or measure the rod thread diameter and pitch.
"Can I use SC fittings on MAL or MA cylinders?" — Yes, if the bore size and rod thread match. SC, MAL, and MA series cylinders of the same bore size typically share the same rod thread specification, making fittings interchangeable across series.
"What causes a rod end fitting to loosen during operation?" — Vibration and dynamic loading cause the fitting to unscrew from the rod. Always use a jam nut (lock nut) on the rod thread behind the fitting to prevent rotation. Tighten the jam nut against the fitting after setting the stroke length.

Typical Applications

Industrial automation: Valve actuation, gate mechanisms, conveyor diverters, clamping fixtures
Packaging machinery: Flap folding, product pushing, lid pressing mechanisms
Woodworking & metalworking: Workpiece clamping, door actuation, press mechanisms
Agricultural equipment: Implement lift mechanisms, gate actuators, hydraulic-to-pneumatic conversion systems
Robotics: Linear actuator end connections, gripper mechanisms, pivot joints