Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator
Calculate the force output of pneumatic cylinders with precision
mm
bar
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Calculation Results
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How to Use the Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select your preferred unit system (Metric or Imperial)
- Enter the piston diameter of your pneumatic cylinder
- Input the operating pressure of your compressed air system
- Optionally enter the rod diameter for double-acting cylinder calculations
- Click “Calculate” to get the cylinder’s output force
What Is Pneumatic Cylinder Force?
Pneumatic cylinders convert compressed air energy into linear mechanical force. The force output depends on two main factors:
- Piston Area: Calculated from the cylinder’s bore diameter (π × (diameter/2)²)
- Air Pressure: The pressure of compressed air supplied to the cylinder
- Formula: Force = Pressure × Effective Piston Area
Why This Matters
Understanding pneumatic cylinder force is crucial for:
- Engineers designing automation systems
- Machinists selecting appropriate cylinders for applications
- Maintenance technicians troubleshooting pneumatic systems
- Determining if a cylinder can effectively move a specific load
Double-Acting vs Single-Acting Cylinders
For double-acting cylinders, the rod diameter affects the retraction force because it reduces the effective piston area on the return stroke. Single-acting cylinders only provide force in one direction.