Cylinder Force

The output force, or thrust developed by a cylinder is a product of the operating pressure acting upon the square inch surface area of its inner piston.

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Force Operating Chart:

Cylinder thrust on the forward stroke utilizes the full piston area to develop maximum power. The piston surface subject to pressure on the retract stroke is reduced by the area of the piston rod to give the “net effective area” for force development in the “pull” direction.

The chart below shows output force measured in “pounds” produced at various input pressure levels. Figures given are theoretical values and do not include losses due to friction.

When selecting a cylinder for air service, it should be sized to overpower the work load by at least 25% for moderate cycle speed, to 100% for rapid speed applications.

Hydraulic cylinders should be considered to operate at 95% efficiency for sizing purposes with allowance given for pressure losses in the system between the pump and cylinder.

force chart