TOTAL LATERAL LOAD CAPACITY - DEFINITION

The full lateral load capacity was defined by KGF as follows: at maximum load and maximum eccentricity of the point of application of this load, i.e. near the edge of the thrust target towards the less favorable side, the cylinder will overturn (in the case of long cylinders) or shift (especially in the case of flat cylinders) sooner as the horizontal (lateral) force gradually increases, and there will be no immediate damage to the guide surfaces due to the high specific load between the wall of the moving piston and the wall of the cylinder or guide sleeve.

In other words: Under normal operating conditions, when the cylinder is placed loosely on a base and is not immobilized by screwing or in any other way, the worst possible combination of lateral and eccentric force will not cause the piston to seize in the cylinder.

Note: The lateral force under these conditions typically ranges from 3 to 4% of the vertical force for long cylinders, to approximately 40% of the vertical force for flat cylinders.