Calculating Pneumatic Force

[Paradox1350]

I know we all already shipped our bots out, but I'm curious about something. How would one go about calculating the force that one actuater can exert? I need to figure out how much force the largest actuater that Bimba offers, and how much force the original (the actuater that comes with the kit) can put out. I believe that the largest (2" bore, 24" stroke) retracts with a pressure of about 150-170 pounds at 55 psi. What is the actuater that came with the kit though? I don't know it's measurements, so I can't really approximate it.

Thanks for your help.

[ngreen]

The force is Pressure x Area. For a 2" bore cyclinder extending it it (pi x r X r), the area, x (psi), pressure. The radius of 2" is on so the area equals pi. The force equals pi times the psi. If you are using the max psi, 60, it is 60 x 3.14 = 188 pounds of force. This is when extending. While retracting the force is less, 170 pounds, because the piston takes up some a the surface area. You can use this on the other piston except the area and radius will be different. The one that came in the kit I believe was a 1.5" bore. So (3/4 x 3/4 x pi) is the area. Time it time the maz pressure, 60 psi, and you get a 106 pounds of force extending. When retracting you have to subtract the area of the piston from the area of the cyclinders bore surface. I would say retracting would be near 85 lbs without looking it up.

[Random Dude]

I know we all already shipped our bots out, but I'm curious about something. How would one go about calculating the force that one actuater can exert? I need to figure out how much force the largest actuater that Bimba offers, and how much force the original (the actuater that comes with the kit) can put out. I believe that the largest (2" bore, 24" stroke) retracts with a pressure of about 150-170 pounds at 55 psi. What is the actuater that came with the kit though? I don't know it's measurements, so I can't really approximate it.

Thanks for your help.


Check the Pneumatics Manual (http://www2.usfirst.org/2004comp/2004_FIRST_Pneumatics_Manual.pdf), it give extend/retract forces for the three sizes of cylinders we are allowed to use.

[Paradox1350]

Hmm. See, our bot is dangerously close to the max weight. I'm trying to see if we could use a smaller actuator (with the same bore) and still have the same effect. What was hte length of the actuator that came in the kit? And does anyone going to the New Hampshire regional have 2 actuators of that length with either a 1.5" or 2" bore that they'd be willing to sell?

[ngreen]

Hmm. See, our bot is dangerously close to the max weight. I'm trying to see if we could use a smaller actuator (with the same bore) and still have the same effect. What was hte length of the actuator that came in the kit? And does anyone going to the New Hampshire regional have 2 actuators of that length with either a 1.5" or 2" bore that they'd be willing to sell?

I think they were 8" stroke 1.5" bore cyclinders. We have like 2 2" bore and the 1 1.5" bore but I'm in Kansas. And two hours away from my team. I'm sure there will be someone closer that can help.