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العربيةLong Stroke Pneumatic Cylinders: Rod Buckling and Air Consumption
Pneumatic cylinders can be built with long strokes — up to 3,000 mm for Ø32–Ø100 and 2,800 mm for Ø125–Ø320 — but a long, thin rod limits the push load long before the air pressure does.
The tables compare the catalogue push force at 6 bar with the load the rod can carry against buckling, and show how much air a long stroke uses.
Push Load Limited by Rod Buckling (kg)
Euler, steel rod, safety factor 3.5; cylinder pivoted at both ends, buckling length ≈ 2 × stroke. Compare with the 6 bar push force.
| Bore / rod | 6 bar push | 500 mm | 1000 mm | 1500 mm | 2000 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ø32 / Ø12 | 48 | 61 | 15 | 7 | 4 |
| Ø40 / Ø16 | 75 | 194 | 49 | 22 | 12 |
| Ø50 / Ø20 | 118 | 474 | 119 | 53 | 30 |
| Ø63 / Ø20 | 187 | 474 | 119 | 53 | 30 |
| Ø80 / Ø25 | 301 | 1,158 | 289 | 129 | 72 |
| Ø100 / Ø25 | 471 | 1,158 | 289 | 129 | 72 |
| Ø125 / Ø32 | 735 | 3,108 | 777 | 345 | 194 |
| Ø160 / Ø40 | 1,206 | 7,588 | 1,897 | 843 | 474 |
Where the buckling value is below the 6 bar push force, the rod — not the bore — limits the load: use a front flange or trunnion, an external guide, or push only part of the stroke.
Air Consumption per Double Stroke at 6 bar
Free air, litres; compressor capacity must cover the cycle rate.
| Bore | 500 mm | 1000 mm | 1500 mm | 2000 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ø40 | 8.0 | 16.0 | 24.0 | 32.0 |
| Ø63 | 20.5 | 41.0 | 61.5 | 82.0 |
| Ø100 | 52.7 | 105.3 | 158.0 | 210.7 |
| Ø160 | 134.8 | 269.7 | 404.5 | 539.4 |
Design Tips
- Use adjustable cushioning: the moving mass and speed at the end of a long stroke are high.
- Support the cylinder body at mid-length and guide the load — side loads wear the rod bearing.
- Magnetic piston for position sensors along the stroke (FMY series).
- Over about 2 m, consider a rodless or guided solution for horizontal loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum stroke of a pneumatic cylinder?
Fenitsa builds strokes up to 3,000 mm for Ø32–Ø100 and up to 2,800 mm for Ø125–Ø320 on request; standard strokes go up to 500 mm.
Why does a long stroke cylinder lose push capacity?
The rod acts as a slender column; its buckling load falls with the square of the length.
How much air does a 1 m stroke Ø63 use?
About 41.0 litres of free air per double stroke at 6 bar.
Can I mount it horizontally?
Yes, with a mid-length support and a guided load; the rod's own weight bends a long unsupported rod.
Send Us Your Cylinder Data
Bore, rod, stroke, working pressure, mountings and quantity — or a drawing or photo of the cylinder you want to replace. Our engineers reply with a technical proposal and a quotation.
Related Pages
Pneumatic cylinder sizes
Bore chart
Pneumatic cylinders
All series
Air cylinder calculator
Force at any pressure
Long stroke hydraulic cylinders
Up to 5,000 mm