1. What is a Cylinder Force Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the force exerted by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder based on pressure and piston area.

Purpose: It helps engineers and technicians calculate the output force for cylinder sizing and system design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Force (Newtons, N)
• \( P \) — Pressure (Pascals, Pa)
• \( A \) — Piston area (square meters, m²)

Explanation: The pressure applied to the piston area generates a linear force along the cylinder's axis.

3. Importance of Cylinder Force Calculation

Details: Accurate force calculation ensures proper cylinder selection for applications like lifting, pressing, or clamping operations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the system pressure in Pascals and the piston area in square meters. Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find the piston area?
A: For circular pistons, use \( A = \pi \times r^2 \) where r is the piston radius.

Q2: What's a typical hydraulic system pressure?
A: Common industrial systems operate at 6.9-34.5 MPa (6,900,000-34,500,000 Pa).

Q3: Does this calculate extending or retracting force?
A: This calculates extending force. For retracting force, use the annulus area (piston area minus rod area).

Q4: How does cylinder efficiency affect the result?
A: Actual force may be 5-10% less due to friction. Multiply result by 0.9 for typical efficiency.

Q5: Can I use different units?
A: Yes, but maintain unit consistency (e.g., psi and in², or bar and cm² with appropriate conversions).