Cylinder Stroke
Stroke is the travel the piston can make from one end to the other, and it sets the motion range of the mechanism. It also defines the required oil volume: a cylinder 80 mm in diameter with a 500 mm stroke needs about 2.5 liters of oil to extend fully. Stroke time is found by dividing this volume by the flow rate.
The calculation is direct: with a piston area of 50.3 cm² and a stroke of 50 cm, the swept volume is about 2515 cm³, that is 2.5 liters. If 20 l/min reaches the system, full extension takes about 7.5 seconds. Because the volume on the rod side is smaller, retraction takes less time.
- Oil volume check: if several cylinders will move at the same time, tank volume adequacy is checked against this total.
- Buckling: as stroke gets longer, rod diameter must also be increased; a long, thin rod carries a bending risk in the extend direction.
- End of stroke: if the mechanism hits its mechanical limit before the stroke ends, the cylinder never extends fully.
In electronic lever control this value lets you know the expected motion time in advance. The range taught during calibration belongs to the lever's mechanical limits; the cylinder's stroke, on the other hand, sets the real range of motion in the field.
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