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Originally Posted by Stephen Kowski
I'm sure if they could they would but they can't so they won't.....24" is only available in the 2" bore size this year which does not make much sense, but whatever....
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Again, I was able to redesign some parts of the mechanism so that a considerably shorter stroke piston is able to accomplish the same task. However, your general assessment is correct.
Two tetras at the end of a 60" arm produce approximately 100 ft./lbs. of torque. To lift that, you'd want a piston acting as far away from the pivot point as possible to minimize the force needed, but as that point of actuation moves away from the pivot, the length of stroke required to get the desired radial motion (~120*) increases. A 24" stroke piston is the bare minimum required as shown, as that allows us to act on a point approximately 12" from the pivot. 2" bore pistons are rated at 188 lbs. of force extended, but, that's assuming 60 PSI. It would operate at something less, but I wouldn't feel comfortable relying on its operation over and over without making the compressor do some serious work.
I shortened the piston stroke needed by moving the point of actuation a bit nearer to the pivot. This means, of course, that we'll need to be closer to 60 PSI to operate correctly, however, it also means that we need much less volume of air, as well; 50% less, in fact. Coupled with weight saved, it seems like a fair trade.