Calculate extension and retraction time and the maximum cycle rate of a pneumatic cylinder from cylinder geometry and valve flow.
Complete the inputs and calculate.
Estimate cylinder stroke time from chamber volume, pressure and normalized flow.
Bore, rod, stroke, pressure, temperature and flow in l/min; direction selects chamber volume.
Normalized flow describes free air and is not the same as geometric chamber volume. Temperature and absolute pressure set the conversion; throttling and cushioning make real time longer than the ideal value.
Chamber volume is converted to free air and divided by assumed constant normalized flow. Acceleration and cushioning are excluded.
Longer stroke increases chamber volume linearly and therefore theoretical time at unchanged flow.
Sources and limits: Pneumatic energy balance in the ISO 4414/6358 context; supplier curve and throttling set the real profile.
Estimate cylinder stroke time from chamber volume, pressure and normalized flow.
Pneumatics uses compressed air as the working medium. Force and speed depend on piston area and pressure as well as compressible air volume, normalized flow and valve characteristics.
Chamber volume is converted to free air and divided by assumed constant normalized flow. Acceleration and cushioning are excluded.
Bore, rod, stroke, pressure, temperature and flow in l/min; direction selects chamber volume. Normalized flow describes free air and is not the same as geometric chamber volume. Temperature and absolute pressure set the conversion; throttling and cushioning make real time longer than the ideal value.
Enter bore, rod diameter, stroke, operating pressure, temperature and available normalized flow, and select the direction of motion. The calculator estimates theoretical stroke time from the chamber volume to be filled.
Longer stroke increases chamber volume linearly and therefore theoretical time at unchanged flow.
Normalized flow describes free air and is not the same as geometric chamber volume. Temperature and absolute pressure set the conversion; throttling and cushioning make real time longer than the ideal value. Normalized flow is air flow converted to reference conditions. It is not the geometric chamber volume, so small lines or valves can strongly limit real cycle time.
Diameter and stroke in millimetres, pressure in bar, flow in l/min (normalized), time in seconds.
A first estimate of a pneumatic cylinder's cycle time for a machine's takt-time planning, or checking how much a longer stroke or reduced air supply extends stroke time.
Pneumatic energy balance in the ISO 4414/6358 context; supplier curve and throttling set the real profile.
Common mistake: Don't take this time as an exact value for a control system – the model assumes constant normalized flow with no acceleration phase and no cushioning. With heavily throttled valves or long supply lines, real time can be noticeably longer than the theoretical value.
Acceleration at stroke start, cushioning, valve throttling and line losses delay real motion compared with the idealized constant-flow model.
A larger chamber volume needs more time to fill at the same normalized flow; theoretical stroke time rises roughly proportional to piston area.
A larger valve cross-section, shorter and wider supply lines, and higher available normalized flow shorten both theoretical and usually real stroke time.
Stroke time is derived from chamber volume converted to normalised conditions and an assumed constant valve flow.
Results are preliminary engineering estimates. Manufacturer curves, loads, temperature, leakage, cushioning, and the complete safety and pressure-equipment assessment remain separate.
ISO 1219-1 and ISO 6358-1 provide symbols, terminology, and test-method context; ISO 4414 is used as a safety context. No standards compliance is certified.