wcbranham-header
715-426-2000
AskWCB@wcbranham.com
  • Blog
  • Downloads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Air Over Oil Intensifiers
  • Caliper Disc Brakes
  • Pneumatic Linear Actuators
  • Right Angle Gearboxes
  • Custom Products
  • Air Over Oil Intensifiers
    • Model 1777 - 5:1
    • Model 1781 - 9:1
    • Model 1778 - 10:1
    • Model 1780 - 18:1
    • Model 1779 - 20:1
    • Model 1782 - 36:1
    • OVLBOOST® 44mm 7:1
  • Caliper Disc Brakes
    • Pneumatic Brakes
    • Hydraulic Brakes
    • Mechanical Brakes
    • Pneumatic Spring Applied Brakes
    • Hydraulic Spring Applied Brakes
    • Dual Function Brakes
    • Brake Disc and Hub Assemblies
    • Brake Repair Kits and Spare Parts
  • Pneumatic Linear Actuators
    • OVLPRO® Low Profile Rod Air Cylinders
    • ARTEC® Standard Cylinders
    • ARTEC® Compact & Short Stroke Cylinders
    • ARTEC® Round Cylinders
    • ARTEC® Stainless Steel Cylinders
    • ARTEC® Stopper Cylinders
    • ARTEC® Pneumatic Grippers
    • ARTEC® Accessories
    • DURATRK® Band Type
    • MAGTEC® Magnetically Coupled Type
    • PNEU-SA® Enclosed Cable Type
    • Rodless Cable Air Cylinders
    • Guided Cable Air Cylinders
    • Single-Acting Cable Air Cylinders
    • Linear Tension Cable Air Cylinders
    • Branham Cylinder Repair Kits
  • Right Angle Gearboxes
    • MICROGEAR®
    • INCLUDE-A-SHAFT®
    • INSERT-A-SHAFT®
    • INSERT-A-SHAFT® METRIC
    • INSERT-A-SHAFT® CRL
    • INSERT-A-SHAFT® CRL Washdown
    • INSERT-A-SHAFT® Stainless Steel
    • GLIDE RIGHT™ Crossover
    • Spiral Bevel
    • Worm - BWG4™
  • Custom Products
  • Our Company
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Careers
    • Blog
Contact Us
Downloads FAQ Terms & Conditions Privacy
WC Branham
  • Air Over Oil Intensifiers
  • Caliper Disc Brakes
  • Pneumatic Linear Actuators
  • Right Angle Gearboxes
  • Custom Products

Cylinder Force Calculator: Determine if Force Output Meets Application Requirements

Published by W.C. Branham on May 23 ,2023

DURATRKCylinder4DTF25096160719104549-1.jpg

When choosing actuators for industrial applications, you have to know the amount of force that will be required to perform the job at hand. Cylinders can move, slow, or hold a load if needed. The force required depends on the load itself, such as its weight and movement angle among other factors. An air cylinder force calculator can help you specify exactly the right actuator for the job.  

 

How the Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator Works

You could do the math by hand, but why bother? We have created three calculation charts, each of which corresponds to the type of cylinder you expect to use. W.C. Branham makes cylinders in both metric and imperial sizes, so there are separate charts for each. 

The formula to determine cylinder output force is F = A x P

Where:

  • F = cylinder force (lbs)
  • A = cylinder bore area (in^2)
  • P = Pressure applied (lbs/sq-in)

Note that these calculations provide theoretical force output values. They do not consider the loss of force due to the cylinder’s internal friction. The typical break-away pressure needed to overcome force lost due to friction is 5-8 PSI. Your goal is to achieve a force that is high enough to give you a margin of error, without overdoing it. Too much force and you will end up with broken components. 

Rodless Cylinder Force Calculator—Equal Force in Both Directions

The table below helps to determine the general force required for rodless cylinders that will need to apply equal force in both directions. These double-acting cylinders are good choices for a wide variety of back-and-forth or up-and-down sequential movements such as lifting, lowering, clamping, sorting, knifing, or punching.

table2

table1

Rod Cylinder Force Calculator—Unequal Force

Use either the imperial or metric table below to determine the general force required for rod cylinders that applies unequally in each direction. These single-action cylinders either extend or retract, using gravity or spring action to return. They are good choices for actions such as clamping, ejecting, or activating flaps or levers.

One thing to consider with rod cylinders is how the rod may affect the surface area component of your calculation. When the rod is on the pressure side of the cylinder, it will reduce the area by the profile of the rod. For example, if a piston has a surface area of 3 sq. inches, but the rod takes up 0.5 sq. inches of surface area on the piston, then the actual surface area is 2.5 sq. inches.

Cable Cylinder Force Calculator—Equal Force in Both Directions

Use the table below to determine the general force required for cable cylinders, which apply equal force in both directions.

table5

Get a Customizable Pneumatic Cylinder Force Calculator

Along with downloading the basic calculation tables illustrated above, you can also use this editable spreadsheet to tailor calculations for each project. As always, if you have any questions we're happy to guide you in the right direction. No question is too small. Contact our team of experts today!

cylinder force calculator

Tags: Pneumatic Actuators, Cylinders
Back to Blog
  • Tweet

Subscribe here

Topics

  • Actuators (9)
  • Air Over Oil Intensifier (2)
  • Brakes (6)
  • Caliper Disc Brakes (32)
  • Custom Manufacturing (10)
  • Cylinder Repair (1)
  • Cylinders (15)
  • Food-Grade Applications (1)
  • Gearboxes (6)
  • Hyperloop (10)
  • Industrial Brakes (4)
  • ISO Cylinder (3)
  • Linear Brakes (1)
  • Pneumatic Actuators (61)
  • Pneumatic Cylinder (1)
  • Pneumatic Door Operators (5)
  • Right Angle Gearbox (27)
  • Videos (14)
  • Working at W.C. Branham (8)
  • Worm Gearbox (1)
see all topics

Top Posts

Related Articles

How Air/Oil Intensifiers Increase Stopping Force of a Pneumatic System [VIDEO]

Pneumatic (or air) pressure is a common power source for shops, manufacturers, and other industrial...
Read More

Magnetic Coupling: Why This Technique Works Best for Wet or Harsh Conditions

In many industrial equipment designs, moving parts are mechanically connected to one another. But...
Read More

How Does a Magnetic Coupling Work?

Magnetic couplers convey force without any actual physical contact. Because magnetic forces attract...
Read More
wcb-logo-reverse-vertical-tag-reg2

Products

  • Air Over Oil Intensifiers
  • Caliper Disc Brakes
  • Pneumatic Linear Actuators
  • Right Angle Gearboxes
  • Custom Products

Resources

  • Careers
  • Downloads
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • Contact
800-428-1974 (Toll-free US & Canada)
715-426-2000 (Main)
715-426-1400 (Fax)
AskWCB@wcbranham.com
W.C. Branham, Inc.
398 Troy Street
River Falls, WI 54022
© 2023 W.C. Branham, Inc. All rights reserved.   ARTEC® is a trademark of Artec S.R.L. Cento (FE) Italy