A spreadsheet, often employing a program like Microsoft Excel, designed to compute parameters associated with hydraulic cylinders. These calculations typically involve force, pressure, area, and stroke length, allowing users to determine optimal cylinder specifications for particular applications. For instance, a user might input a required force and operating pressure to calculate the necessary cylinder bore size.
This type of tool offers numerous advantages, including improved design accuracy, reduced risk of system failure, and optimized material selection. Before the widespread availability of such digital aids, engineers relied on manual calculations, which were more susceptible to errors and time-consuming. These spreadsheets offer a readily accessible and repeatable method for performing complex engineering calculations, significantly enhancing productivity.