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Cylinder stroke, speed and volume-flow animation
Compare cylinder bore, rod diameter, stroke and extension/retraction speeds. A section view also shows how equal volume flow produces different speeds with different piston areas.
Start with specified extension and retraction speeds. The equal-flow example calculates speed from volume flow and area. The smaller rod-side area produces faster retraction at the same actual volume flow.
- ① Play a round tripExtend, hold for 0.5 seconds, then retract.
- ② Enter dimensions and speedEdit both cylinders or compare using actual volume flow.
- ③ Watch a shared clockA completed cylinder stays at its origin while the other finishes.
Compare the motion
A preset replaces both A and B. Edit blue fields individually. Numerical inputs are not saved.
B: comparison
Rod travel from origin
A: reference
Speed, angle and time
B: comparison
Speed, angle and time
Compare your own inputs
Each field shows its input range. Editing pauses playback and returns to the starting pose.
A: dimensions and inputs
B: dimensions and inputs
Equations and scope
With specified speed: time = stroke / speed. With volume flow: v = Q / A. Extension area = πD²/4; retraction area = π(D²−d²)/4. Convert Q from L/min to mm³/s.
What this motion model covers
Constant speed within each phase. The flow model assumes constant actual volume flow inside the cylinder, with no compression or leakage. Do not enter standard air flow in NL/min directly. Pressure alone does not determine actual speed. Acceleration, gas compression, valves, lines, cushions and loads are not calculated. Check thrust and product suitability separately.
The viewing window is at most 600 seconds. Fast rotation can appear stationary through sampling. Reduce the playback multiplier to inspect it.
Values are not transferred automatically to calculators. Check the required conditions before entering them.
Common questions
What does a larger bore do at equal flow?
A larger area lowers the travel speed at the same actual volume flow.
Why can retraction be faster?
The rod reduces effective area. Equal actual volume flow then produces faster retraction. Direct speed mode uses your specified speeds.
Does pressure alone determine speed?
No. Flow, load, valve and line conditions also matter. Enter speed or actual volume flow here.
Explore more motion
Inspect force transmission and drive effort
Enter net axial thrust or calculate it from bore, supply pressure, back pressure and losses. Swing clamps use the straight clamping section only; internal swing reactions are excluded.
Load calculations exclude friction, inertia, deformation and part strength except explicitly entered cylinder losses or screw efficiency. Capacity comparisons cover only the entered condition, not overall machine safety.