Pneumatics
Air Consumption per Cycle
Calculate compressed air consumption per complete cycle (extend + retract) for double-acting cylinders, and annual cost.
Units:
Air consumption directly determines compressor capacity and energy costs. Example: a Ø63mm cylinder with 300mm stroke at 6 bar consumes about 1.7 litres of free air per complete cycle. Multiply by cycles/hour to get flow demand.
Q_cycle [l free air] = (A_cap + A_rod) × stroke × (P_abs / P_atm)
Input
Cylinder bore iInternal bore diameter of the cylinder in mm.
mm
Rod diameter iPiston rod diameter in mm.
mm
Stroke length iUseful stroke of the cylinder in mm.
mm
Working pressure iSystem working pressure in bar gauge.
bar
Cycles per hour iNumber of complete cycles (one extend + one retract) per hour during production.
cyc/h
Compressed air cost iCost to produce 1 m³ of compressed air. EU average including electricity, maintenance and depreciation: €0.015–0.025/m³.
€/m³
Result
Volume extend stroke [l (free)]
—
Volume retract stroke [l (free)]
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Total per cycle [l (free)]
—
Flow demand at given cycles [nl/min]
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Annual air cost (8h/day, 250 days) [€]
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