A device or tool used to determine the output that pneumatic cylinders can generate is essential for engineering design and applications. This device takes into account factors such as bore size, air pressure, and friction to provide an estimate of the available push or pull. For example, specifying a pneumatic actuator for a task that requires moving a load involves determining the cylinder size and operating pressure needed to overcome the loads resistance, which is facilitated by such a tool.
The ability to accurately predict the force that a pneumatic actuator will deliver is beneficial to system performance, reliability, and safety. Historically, these calculations were performed manually, a process that was time-consuming and prone to error. The availability of digital tools has reduced the complexity involved. Proper determination prevents undersizing, which leads to system failure, or oversizing, which results in unnecessary costs and wasted energy.