General Calculations

Conversions

Force / Piston diameter

A: effective piston surface [mm2] 

F: force [N]

p: pressure [bar]

D: piston diameter [mm]

d: rod diameter [mm]

η: efficiency of the hydraulic cylinder

The efficiency [η], which is for the most part the result of the frictional losses (seals, guides), can be approximated as 0 .8. The larger the cylinder, the smaller the effect of friction on the overall force. At speeds of less than 0 .05 m/s  (0 .164 feet/s), the friction is practically independent of the pressure.

For piston diameters of 100 mm (3 .94 inches) and larger the percentage loss is not more than 2%, even in the worst case. With even larger piston diameters it can even be regarded as insignificant. 

 

Example:

For cylinders with a piston diameter of less than 20 mm (0 .79 inches) and an operating pressure of approx. 140 bar (2030 PSI) the frictional losses can be about 20%. For a piston diameter of 100 mm (3.94 inches) this value is reduced to 2%.

It has been noted in practice that new seals have relatively high frictional values, which however become lower as the operating time increases, thus increasing the efficiency of the hydraulic cylinder. This should be taken into account above all when the cylinders are being operated at low speeds (stick-slip effect), or low operating pressures are present.

For hydraulic cylinders, the interrelationship between the force [F], the system pressure [p] and the piston area [A] is produced by the following formula:

The force resulting from the system pressure is lower at the rod end than at the piston end. The effective surface is calculated as follows:

As a general rule, the circular area [A] is calculated from the diameter [D] using the following formula:

 

Alternatively from the force to be applied [F] and the pressure [p]:

Determination of the piston diameter as a function of the system pressure and the required force:

Especially for pushing loads, in addition to the dimensioning of  the hydraulic cylinder it is also necessary to calculate the buckling strength of the piston rod.

 

Tipp: For easy calculation of hydraulic cylinders you can use the cylinder calculator available on the Internet at www.ahp.de, which will recommend to you the suitable cylinder for your application.

Piston speed from flow rate / pump capacity

v: piston speed [m/s]

Q: flow rate [l/min]

A: piston surface [mm2]

P: required pump capacity [KW]

p: system pressure [bar]

η: efficiency of the hydraulic system

 

Required quantity / flow rate

Q: flow rate [l/min]

A: piston surface [mm2]

v: piston speed [m/s]

η: efficiency of the hydraulic cylinder

 

Recommended flow speeds

Suction lines: 

≤ 1.5 m/s (4.92 feet/s)

 

Return lines: 

≤ 3 m/s (9.84 feet/s)

 

Pressure lines:

≤ 25 bar (362.5 PSI)

25 to 63 bar (362.5 to 913.5 PSI)

63 to 160 bar (913.5 to 2320 PSI)

160 to 250 bar (2320 to 3625 PSI)

> 250 bar (3625 PSI)

≤ 3 m/s (3.28 feet/s)

3 – 5 m/s (10.76 to 16.40 feet/s)

4 – 6 m/s (13.12 to 19.68 feet/s) 

5 – 8 m/s (16.40 to 26.24 feet/s)

≤ 10 m/s (32.8 feet/s)

Calculating buckling strength