About Fabco-Air
Compact Pneumatic Actuators & Air Motion SolutionsFesto
Fabco-Air has delivered innovative pneumatic products and solutions for over 60 years, pioneering the Original Pancake® cylinder design that became an industry standard for compact, high-force applications in space-constrained installations. Now powered by Festo's global engineering excellence, the company designs and manufactures linear and rotary pneumatic actuators, air preparation units, valves, and integrated motion-control systems.
The Fabco-Air product portfolio includes the iconic Pancake family (original and Pancake II), LONGSTROKE series for extended travel, square cylinders, twin-bore designs for synchronized motion, ISO-type cylinders for interchangeability, rodless linear actuators (FGYB series with external magnetic coupling), and rotary air motors with arc strokes up to 270 degrees for compact positioning and clamping.
All Fabco cylinders utilize premium materials: anodized aluminum bodies for corrosion resistance, stainless steel piston rods, and factory pre-lubrication with Magnalube-G Teflon-impregnated grease for extended operating life. Products are rated for standard industrial air pressure (80–100 PSI) and optional vacuum applications, with threaded and CETOP porting for modular system integration.
Applications span automotive assembly, semiconductor manufacturing, food processing, packaging automation, and light industrial robotics where compact actuation, reliability, and ease of integration are priorities. Fabco also manufactures linear slides, angular and parallel grippers, and air-valve manifolds to create complete pneumatic motion systems.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are Pancake cylinders smaller and more powerful than standard cylinders?
Pancake geometry uses a short, wide piston for maximum surface area, generating high force in a compact envelope—they deliver 2–3x the force of similarly-sized standard cylinders. This design is ideal for clamping, pressing, and positioning in confined spaces, though stroke length is limited compared to standard rod cylinders.
What's the difference between rodless and rod-type pneumatic actuators?
Rod cylinders have a visible piston rod; rodless cylinders (like Fabco's FGYB) use magnetic coupling to transmit force externally, eliminating rod exposure and enabling twice the travel distance in the same mounting space. Rodless designs are ideal for linear automation, transfer systems, and pick-and-place applications.
Can I run Fabco cylinders on vacuum instead of compressed air?
Yes—Fabco offers vacuum-rated cylinders with special seals and valve options for vacuum pick-and-place and handling systems in cleanroom and packaging environments. Confirm vacuum rating (typically -12 to -14 PSI) with your cylinder datasheet before ordering.
How do I prevent cylinder drift when holding a load in mid-stroke?
Use a pilot-operated check valve (load-check valve) in the cylinder's cap-end line to lock the load. This ensures the load is held even if system pressure drops slightly. Fabco manufactures integrated check-valve options; specify this requirement during RFQ to receive a pre-configured solution.
What lubrication approach works best for long-term Fabco cylinder life?
Fabco pre-lubricates with Magnalube-G grease at the factory, providing 2–3 years of maintenance-free operation in standard industrial duty. For continuous high-speed cycling (>100 cycles/min), use an air-line lubricator dispensing ISO VG 32 oil to maintain seal performance. Never over-lubricate—it causes seal swell and leakage.