This partial calculator combines entered transverse force and projected area with selected reciprocating stroke and cycle rate. It reports mean path speed, arithmetic average pressure, their numerical product and one-way traverses per minute. It does not rate a guide, slipper, bearing material, lubrication system or service condition.
Where actuator force enters the Steam Engine Guides (form 2) design
When steam engine guides (form 2) is driven by a linear actuator, the actuator force changes through the travel as the geometry changes. A comfortable static force number at one position can still leave the actuator overloaded near the start or end of stroke.
For structural members, the actuator load should be applied through brackets that do not introduce unintended bending. Check both static load and the extra load created when the mechanism starts, stops, or binds.
A senior review would normally separate the required output force from the actuator force. Output force belongs to the mechanism; actuator force belongs to the installed geometry. Confusing those two numbers is one of the most common causes of undersized linear actuators.
- Calculate actuator force at the worst bracket angle, not just at mid-stroke.
- Check stroke, retracted length, and extended length against the mechanism envelope.
- Confirm the structure can accept the higher loads created by a stronger actuator.
For a FIRGELLI actuator application, run the FIRGELLI actuator force calculator, then compare available stroke, force, and mounting envelope in the FIRGELLI linear actuator range. If the goal is to replace an existing unit, use the linear actuator replacement finder before assuming the new actuator is a direct fit.
Steam Engine Guides Form 2 - Entered Load/Travel Ledger
Explore entered transverse-load, projected-area and reciprocating-travel arithmetic.
Equation Used
- Stroke, cycle rate, transverse force and projected area are entered values.
- The member completes two one-way traverses per full cycle.
- Pressure is an arithmetic average with uniform distribution assumed.
- The pressure-speed product is not compared with a material limit.
- Contact mechanics, lubrication, thermal behavior, wear and safety are excluded.
The secondary figure is an abstract load/travel ledger, not a form-2 guide design.
Entered load/travel ledger
A reciprocating member travels two stroke lengths per revolution, so mean path speed is 2sN/60. Entered force divided by entered projected area gives arithmetic average pressure. Their product is displayed only as a selected numerical index with units MPa m/s.
What the calculator determines
Use it to inspect exact unit conversions and arithmetic from entered values. It cannot determine actual contact pressure, temperature, friction, oil-film state, wear rate or allowable operation.
Selected relationships
v_mean=2sN/60; p_avg=F/A; product index=p_avg v_mean; one-way traverses/min=2N.
Selected-input example
At stroke 0.457 m, cycle rate 90 rev/min, entered transverse force 6.2 kN and projected area 125 cm2, mean path speed is 1.371 m/s, arithmetic average pressure is 0.496 MPa, product index is about 0.680 MPa m/s and one-way traverse rate is 180/min.
Not a PV or bearing rating
Force history, load direction, number of loaded shoes, true contact area, pressure distribution, clearance, alignment, material, roughness, temperature, lubricant, feed method, contamination, impact and safety are excluded.
Questions
Is the product index an allowable PV limit?
No. It is only the product of two selected arithmetic outputs.
Does 2N mean two power strokes?
No. It counts one-way geometric traverses, two per full reciprocating cycle.
Does average pressure predict edge loading?
No. It assumes uniform distribution over the entered projected area.
Authoritative reference
- NIST Guide to the SI, Chapter 4 — identifies force in newtons and pressure in pascals, equal to N/m2.
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