Posted to News on 28th May 2024, 13:00
Proportional valves for demanding industrial applications
To meet the needs of demanding industrial applications, Parker Hannifin has developed a new generation of proportional valves. The DFplus features electronics that have been fundamentally revised, opening up new possibilities for communication.
The mechanical part with its patented voice coil drive (VCD), the basis for the established performance of the previous generations of DFplus valves, remains almost unchanged.
A new dual core processor, in the Generation IV valves, enables them to run at maximum performance level and to communicate with the PLC at the same time. The retention of the analogue command signal in combination with the use of the valve's IO-Link connection for communication is unique, says Parker.
"The enhanced features of the Generation IV will make our DFplus valves market leaders not only in terms of dynamics and flow. They now also offer the easiest way to enter Industry 4.0 without high investments and without changing the machine control strategy," says Frank Henschke, Product Manager for Proportional Valves at Parker's Industrial Systems Division Europe.
Another new feature is an integrated near-field communication (NFC) chip that allows users to obtain all status information in the field or in service situations - even when the valve is not actively powered. A 360 degree LED at the top of the electronics box ensures that the basic status data is immediately visible in the application by different colours or flashing frequencies. Parker's ProPxD parameterising software has been fundamentally revised along with an improved oscilloscope function, permitting adjustment to the application-specific parameters quickly and easily.
The new electronics are perfectly complemented by the mechanical characteristics of the DFplus valves. The VCD with its highest resolution integrated linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) provides elevated force drive without the need of strong active return springs, resulting in real servo valve performance. Together with the high robustness, which has been proven by vibration tests with up to 60 g and 10 billion endurance test cycles, the valves have already demonstrated their suitability for numerous demanding applications.
The DFplus Generation IV addresses the challenges of the future in industrial hydraulics, in particular the increasing digitalisation of processes. The valves are also suitable as a 1:1 replacement for DFplus Generation III valves in existing applications.
