KEVOS® MAKEOS · Pneumatics

Pneumatic Cylinder Swept Volume

What volume does a double-acting cylinder sweep in one complete cycle?

Calculate the geometric volume a double-acting cylinder sweeps on its extend and retract strokes.

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How this tool works

Inputs, units and where to find them

InputUnitTypical source
Bore diametermmCylinder bore diameter.
Rod diametermmPiston rod diameter; must be smaller than the bore. Enter 0 to see the full-bore volume on both strokes.
StrokemmWorking stroke length.

Method and formulas

  1. Extend volume = π × bore² / 4 × stroke; retract volume = π × (bore² − rod²) / 4 × stroke.
  2. Complete cycle = extend + retract, converted from mm³ to litres by dividing by 10⁶.
  3. Example: 50 mm bore, 20 mm rod and 200 mm stroke give 0.392699 L + 0.329867 L = 0.722566 L per cycle.

Limitations

  • Geometric volume at cylinder conditions only. It is not free-air consumption: use the Pneumatic Cylinder Air Demand tool for pressure and temperature conversion.
  • Dead volume at the stroke ends, tubing and valve volume, and leakage are excluded.
  • Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.

Typical uses

  • Find the volume to fill per cycle
  • Compare bore and rod sizes
  • Prepare an air or oil consumption estimate

Who it is for

  • Design engineers
  • Maintenance engineers

What you get

  • Swept volume per complete cycle (L)
  • Extend and retract stroke volumes (L)

Interpreting the result

  • Multiply by cycles per minute to get a volume flow at cylinder pressure, then convert to free air for compressor sizing.

References

  • Festo: Air consumption of cylinders — https://www.festo.com/ca/en/s/air-consumption
  • Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed CD pp. 3027–3036. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.

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Open the Pneumatic Cylinder Swept Volume calculator