Formulas
CYLINDER FORMULAS Cylinder Ratio = Area to extend ÷ Area to retract
Thrust or force of any cylinder: Note:
Ratio can be used to calculate pressure intensification
F=AxP and flow intensification.
P=F÷A
A=F÷P Effective force of a cylinder working at an angle to direction
of the load travel:
F = Force or thrust, in pounds
A = Piston area in square inches ( .7854 x D 2 ) F = T x sin A
P = PSI (Gauge pressure in pounds per square inch)
T = Total cylinder force, in pounds
HP = Pounds of push (or pull) x Distance (in feet) F = Part of the force which is effective, in pounds
550 x Time (in seconds) A = Least angle, in degrees, between cylinder axis and
load direction.
HP = Horsepower
Moment Arm Equations / Levers:
Circle Formula:
F x Df = W x Dw
A = D x D x .7854 F = W x Dw ÷ Df
w
A = D2 x 0.7854 W = F x Df ÷ Dw
A = π x R2 Df = W ÷ F x Dw
A = π x D2 ÷ 4 Dw = F ÷ W x Df
Circumference = 2 x R x π F = Cylinder force
Circumference = π x D Df = Cylinder force distance to pivot
D = √ A/.7854 W = Weight or Load Force
Dw = Weight or Load Force distance to pivot
A = Area in2 (Area sq. in.)
R = Radius (1/2 of Diameter) Toggle Force:
D = Diameter, inches T=FxA÷2xB
π = 3.14
T = Toggle Force
Hydraulic Cylinder Piston travel speed: F = Cylinder Force
V1 (in/min) = CIM ÷ A A = Distance cylinder centerline to toggle
V2 (ft/min) = Q x 19.25 ÷ A B = Remaining stroke
V3 (ft/sec) = Q x 0.3208 ÷ A Force for piercing or shearing sheet metal:
Q (GPM) = 3.117 x V3 (ft/sec) x A
Q (GPM) = CIM ÷ 231 F = P x T x PSI
V1 = Velocity or piston travel speed, inches per minute F = Force required, in pounds
V2 = Velocity or piston travel speed, feet per minute P = Perimeter around area to be sheared, in inches
V3 = Velocity or piston travel speed, feet per second T = Sheet thickness in inches
CIM = Flow rate in cubic inches per minute (in3) PSI = Sheer strength rating of the material in pounds
A = Effective area in square inches (in2) per square inch.
Q = GPM Gallons per minute
1 Gallon = 231 in3 (cubic inch) P.O. Check Application:
Release PSI = Cap End Area x Max. W.P. - Load
Volume required to move a piston a given distance: Rod End Area
V=AxL Max. W.P. = Pressure Rating of Components
V = Volume in cubic inches (in3) Ratio = Max Working PSI
A = Area in square inches (in2) Release PSI
L = Length or stroke in inches
Example;
Regenerative Cylinder 2 to 1 Ratio = 1 square inch (in2) at 1000 psi working
Extend Speed = Rod Volume ÷ Flow Rate in3 pressure will open when a Release pressure of 500 psi
is applied to a 2 square inches (in2) area.
Area to Retract = Area to extend - Rod Area
Parker Hannifin Corporation
40 Mobile Cylinder Division
Youngstown, OH
