What is the difference between the MD and MP series?

MD is a tie-rod ISO 6020/2 cylinder (Ø 25–125 mm, 160 bar, 14 mounting types, any stroke). MP is a compact aluminium cylinder (Ø 25–100 mm, oil ports X / A / B / E, catalogue strokes 20–100 mm). Both have a permanent magnet in the piston for position sensors.

How does magnetic piston-position sensing work?

A permanent magnet is pressed into the cylinder piston. A sensor bolted to the body detects the magnetic field through the aluminium or steel wall as soon as the piston passes the given position. Contactless, with no mechanical stop and no wear.

Which position sensors are available?

SH — PNP magnetoresistive, 6–30 V DC, 0.5 ms switching time, for PLCs. SR — REED, 3–110 V AC/DC, universal. Both for the MD series, IP 67, 5 m cable, LED indication. SP — REED, 3–30 V AC/DC, IP67, M8 connector, for the compact MP series.

How is the sensor mounted on the cylinder?

On the MD series the sensors are fixed to the tie rods via STA / STB / STC / STD brackets; on the compact MP the sensor slides into a groove in the aluminium profile. In both cases it is moved to the required position and locked with a screw — one sensor is needed for each monitored point.

How many position sensors can be fitted to an MD / MP cylinder?

Along the stroke, 1 to 8 SR (REED) or SH (PNP) sensors can be connected to the MD series to detect various intermediate positions; 2 sensors for the end positions are fitted as standard. The compact MP carries a maximum of 2 SP sensors as standard. Programmable IO-Link sensors are available on request.

What is the maximum operating pressure of the compact MP series?

For bores of Ø 25–63 mm, MP is rated at 160 bar (tested at 240 bar). For Ø 80 and Ø 100 mm the pressure is limited by the aluminium body wall to a maximum of 100 bar (tested at 150 bar). The tie-rod steel MD holds 160 bar across the whole Ø 25–125 mm range.

In which applications are MD / MP cylinders with position sensing used?

MD and MP are used in automated lines where detecting the presence of the piston at selected points (end positions, intermediate positions) is sufficient, without continuous sensing — packaging and assembly machines, robotic lines, positioning tables, CNC clamping. For continuous position control, the TD / TK servo series with a magnetostrictive sensor is more suitable.

Why does the MD cylinder have a bronze rod guide?

The bronze rod guide reduces friction and protects the rod surface from scoring. This maintains the sealing capability and prevents oil leakage even in long-term operation with frequent position sensing.

MD / MP Hydraulic Cylinders with Magnetic Position Sensing

Piston detection at selected points of the stroke — intermediate and end positions

Double-acting hydraulic cylinders MD (ISO 6020/2, tie-rod design) and MP (compact aluminium) with an integrated magnetic piston for precise position detection at any point of the stroke. Operating pressure 160 bar (100 bar for MP at Ø 80–100 mm), bore diameter Ø 25–125 mm (MD) or Ø 25–100 mm (MP).

One or more SH / SR sensors (MD — on the tie rods) or SP sensors (MP — in the profile groove) are attached to the cylinder, moved along the stroke and signal the piston position straight to the PLC. Sensing of selected positions of the piston — not of continuous movement.

160 bar
operating pressure: Ø 25–125 mm
MD bore diameter: SH / SR / SP
sensor types: IP67
sensor protection

Select your cylinder configuration CAD 3D models MD datasheet (PDF)

Magnetic piston IP67 SH · SR · SP Ø 25–125 mm

MD — tie-rod ISO 6020/2, 160 barMP — compact aluminium, Ø 25–100 mmMagnetic piston · contactless detectionSH (PNP) · SR / SP (REED) sensorsUp to 8 sensors along the stroke (MD)Delivery in 14 days · urgent 48 hCAD: STEP · IGES · DWG · STL · DXF

CD / DK Don’t need position sensing? The tie-rod CD / DK cylinders share the envelope and dimensions of MD, just without the magnetic piston — so moving to the sensing version requires no machine modification. Standard CD / DK cylinders → TD / TK Need the position over the whole stroke? MD and MP only report the piston passing selected points. Servo cylinders have a magnetostrictive sensor that measures the absolute rod position continuously along the whole travel. TD / TK servo cylinders →

Configurator

Select your cylinder’s parameters

Set the series, mounting, bore and stroke directly in the manufacturer’s CodeWizard. It builds the exact cylinder, generates the configuration code (SKU) and a technical datasheet, lets you download the CAD model, and sends your request for quotation straight to us — no separate inquiry form needed.

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Sensing series overview · which cylinder when

Tie-rod, compact, or servo cylinder?

MD and MP detect the piston at selected points of the stroke — the piston either is at that position or it is not. TD / TK servo cylinders measure the absolute position continuously over the whole stroke. The choice depends on whether you need feedback about state (a few points) or about movement (the whole travel).

Industrial applications

Position-sensing cylinders in industry

Automotive welding lines, injection moulding machines and moulds, workpiece clamping on CNC machines, assembly machines, manipulators and feeders — wherever a PLC needs contactless feedback about the piston position. A direct replacement for Parker, Bosch Rexroth or Festo cylinders with a magnetic sensor.

Contactless piston-position feedback to the PLC.

MD: Automated lines, moulds and injection moulding machines, positioning tables — the ISO 6020/2 tie-rod envelope identical to CD / DK, up to 8 sensors along the stroke.
MP: Tight installations in assembly machines and clamping fixtures — a compact aluminium body with the SP sensor in the profile groove.
Replacement: Dimensionally interchangeable with the standard CD / DK and RP series — moving to the sensing version requires no machine modification.

Typical deployments of this series Cylinders for testing and clamping → Cylinders for automotive and automation → Help choosing a cylinder →

CAD & documentation

Free 3D CAD models and 2D drawings

The model matches the series, bore, rod, mounting or port position and stroke from the configurator — STEP, IGES, Parasolid, STL, DWG, DXF and PDF, free of charge.

How to get a 3D model or drawing of an MD / MP cylinder

Available formats

Frequently asked questions

Position sensing FAQ

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