A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is used to actuate a linear joint of an industrial robot. The inside diameter of the cylinder is 3.5 in. The piston rod has a diameter of 0.5 in. The hydraulic power source can generate up to 500 lb/in2 of pressure at a flow rate of 1200 in3/min to drive the piston.
(a) Determine the maximum velocity of the piston and the maximum force that can be applied in the forward stroke.
(b) Determine the maximum velocity of the piston and the maximum force that can be applied in the reverse stroke.