In this video, discover the assembly of a pneumatic linear actuator designed to operate a knife gate valve. But before getting into the build, let’s go over the basic physics behind correctly sizing a cylinder.
📌 How to determine the required force?
The key formula to know is:
P = F / S
➡️ P: Pressure (in bar or Pascal)
➡️ F: Force applied (in Newtons)
➡️ A: Piston surface area (in mm² or m²)
To choose the right piston diameter, we invert the formula:
F = P × S
Depending on the available supply pressure and the force required to operate the valve, we can calculate the necessary cylinder bore.
⚙️ Example:
If a pressure of 6 bar (600 kPa) is applied and a force of 3000 N is needed, then:
Surface area: A = F / P = 3000 / 600000 = 0.005 m² (5000 mm²)
This corresponds to a piston diameter of approximately 80 mm.
💡 Proper sizing ensures optimal operation while avoiding unnecessary air consumption.
👉 Have you ever faced challenges when selecting a pneumatic actuator? Share your experience in the comments! 👇
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