1. What is Force of a Cylinder?

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

Purpose: It helps engineers and technicians calculate the force output for cylinder selection 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 output from the cylinder.

3. Importance of Force Calculation

Details: Proper force calculation ensures correct 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 positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find the piston area?
A: For circular pistons, use \( A = \pi r² \) where r is the piston radius. For non-circular pistons, calculate the cross-sectional area.

Q2: What's a typical operating pressure?
A: Hydraulic systems often operate between 6.9-34.5 MPa (1000-5000 psi), while pneumatic systems typically use 0.4-1.0 MPa (60-150 psi).

Q3: Does this account for friction losses?
A: No, this calculates theoretical force. Actual force may be 5-15% less due to friction and efficiency losses.

Q4: How do I convert between different pressure units?
A: 1 Pa = 1 N/m², 1 bar = 100,000 Pa, 1 psi ≈ 6895 Pa.

Q5: Can I use this for double-acting cylinders?
A: Yes, but calculate force separately for extend and retract strokes (different piston areas due to the rod).