1. What is Hydraulic Cylinder Tonnage?

Hydraulic cylinder tonnage refers to the force output of a hydraulic cylinder, measured in tons. It's determined by the cylinder's bore diameter and the system's operating pressure (PSI).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the hydraulic tonnage equation:

Where:

• \( Bore \) — Cylinder bore diameter (inches)
• \( PSI \) — System pressure (pounds per square inch)
• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (~3.14159)
• 2000 — Conversion factor (pounds to tons)

Explanation: The equation calculates the piston area, multiplies by pressure to get force in pounds, then converts to tons.

3. Importance of Tonnage Calculation

Details: Accurate tonnage calculation is crucial for selecting the right cylinder size, ensuring system safety, and achieving desired force output for applications like pressing, lifting, or clamping.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter bore diameter in inches and system pressure in PSI. Both values must be positive numbers for valid calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is bore diameter squared in the formula?
A: The force is proportional to the piston area, which is πr². Since diameter is twice the radius, we use (Bore/2)².

Q2: What's a typical tonnage range for industrial cylinders?
A: Common industrial cylinders range from 1-100 tons, though specialized cylinders can exceed 1,000 tons.

Q3: Does rod diameter affect tonnage?
A: Rod diameter affects retraction force but not extension force (tonnage). Tonnage is calculated using bore diameter only.

Q4: How does pressure affect tonnage?
A: Tonnage is directly proportional to pressure. Doubling the pressure doubles the tonnage (with same bore size).

Q5: What safety factor should be used?
A: Most applications use a 2:1 or 4:1 safety factor. Never exceed 75% of a cylinder's rated capacity for normal use.