1. What is Cylinder Tonnage Calculation?

The cylinder tonnage calculation determines the force output of a hydraulic cylinder based on the system pressure and piston area. This is essential for designing and selecting hydraulic systems for various applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic hydraulic force equation:

Where:

• \( P \) — Hydraulic pressure (psi)
• \( A \) — Effective piston area (in²)

Explanation: The force produced by a hydraulic cylinder is directly proportional to the hydraulic pressure and the piston area. The result is converted from pounds to tons (1 ton = 2000 lbs).

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Accurate tonnage calculation is crucial for ensuring hydraulic systems can generate sufficient force for the intended application while maintaining safety margins.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the system pressure in psi and the piston area in square inches. For circular pistons, area can be calculated as π × (radius)² or π × (diameter)²/4.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I calculate piston area for a circular cylinder?
A: Use the formula \( A = \pi \times r^2 \) where r is the piston radius, or \( A = \pi \times d^2 / 4 \) where d is the piston diameter.

Q2: What's the difference between extending and retracting force?
A: The effective area differs between extending (piston side) and retracting (rod side) due to the rod occupying space.

Q3: How does cylinder efficiency affect actual force?
A: Typical hydraulic cylinders are about 95% efficient due to friction. Multiply theoretical force by 0.95 for realistic estimates.

Q4: What pressure units can be used?
A: This calculator uses psi (pounds per square inch). For other units, convert to psi first (1 bar ≈ 14.5 psi).

Q5: How do I account for multiple cylinders?
A: Calculate force for one cylinder and multiply by the number of cylinders sharing the load equally.