1. What is a Hydraulic Cylinder Speed Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the extension/retraction speed of a hydraulic cylinder based on the flow rate and piston area.

Purpose: It helps hydraulic system designers and technicians predict cylinder performance and optimize system parameters.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( S_c \) — Cylinder speed (inches/second)
• \( Q \) — Flow rate (gallons per minute, GPM)
• \( A_c \) — Cylinder piston area (square inches)
• 231 — Conversion factor (cubic inches per gallon)
• 60 — Conversion factor (seconds per minute)

Explanation: The formula converts flow rate to volume per second and divides by piston area to get linear speed.

3. Importance of Cylinder Speed Calculation

Details: Proper speed calculation ensures optimal machine operation, prevents component damage, and helps in cycle time estimation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the hydraulic flow rate in GPM and the cylinder piston area in square inches. Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I calculate piston area?
A: For a cylinder, \( A_c = \pi \times r^2 \) where r is the piston radius. For rod side, subtract rod area.

Q2: Why 231 in the formula?
A: 1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches. This converts GPM to cubic inches per minute.

Q3: What's a typical cylinder speed range?
A: Most industrial cylinders operate between 2-20 in/s, but this varies by application.

Q4: How does cylinder speed affect force?
A: Higher speeds typically mean less available force due to pressure drop across flow restrictions.

Q5: What if I need metric units?
A: Convert inputs: 1 GPM ≈ 3.785 LPM, 1 in² ≈ 6.452 cm². Result will be in cm/s.