Valve with improved performance at lower price.

"Not a product refresh but a complete transformation!"

The next-generation Level 1 AxisPro® valve, rounding out the line of Vickers by Danfoss servo performance software-configurable proportional valves has just been launched. With a new digital amplifier and support for industry-leading network protocols, the valve offers advanced performance, control, and seamless connectivity. Complementing the valve’s launch is Pro-FX™ Configure v2, the redesigned software configuration platform featuring an intuitive interface, streamlined setup, and real-time tuning for faster and easier installations. AxisPro valves are ideal for demanding industrial hydraulic applications such as presses, machine tools, factory automation, and more.

These AxisPro valves offer an upgrade to the Vickers by Danfoss KBSDG proportional valve lineup, giving customers a smarter, faster, and fully connected motion control solution. Designed for seamless integration into a wide range of applications, the new valves feature a digital amplifier and support for widely used network protocols such as Profinet®, EtherCAT®, Ethernet/IP, and CANopen. The digital amplifier increases precision and improves tuning, enabling easier system optimization and enhanced performance. Through flow linearization, the valve delivers consistent, stable flow across all operating conditions. Dither and deadband adjustments eliminate valve stick-slip and dead zones, resulting in smooth and precise motion.

AxisPro valves feature a robust, high-performance design. The valves offer best-in-class power capacity and speed plus pressure gain of 2.05%. Ingress protection ratings of IP65 and IP67 plus ambient temperature ratings of 70°C (158°F) increase reliability. Optional corrosion resistance and extreme vibration resistance (up to 50g) further enhance the valve’s durability for use in severe applications.

The valves are software configurable, enabling quick and simple setup, tuning, and commissioning. The valves are programmed using Danfoss’ new Pro-FX™ Configure v2 software, which offers a streamlined step-by-step workflow for setup across control modes, including spool position, cylinder position, pressure, speed, or force.

Advanced tuning capabilities allow users to optimize control loops with real-time parameter adjustment, maximizing performance for specific loads, speeds, and conditions. AxisPro valves support configuration via USB, Ethernet, or CAN bus.

Its integral diagnostics facilitate rapid troubleshooting, minimizing system downtime. Top-mounted LED lights provide a real-time visual indicator of valve status, simplifying the identification of potential issues.

“This isn’t a product refresh; it's a complete transformation. With a digital amplifier and support for the same communication protocols as our Level 2 and Level 3 valves, our next-generation Level 1 AxisPro valves are smarter, faster, and fully connected,” said Gary Wei, Global Product Management Director, Motion Controls, Industrial division, Danfoss Power Solutions. “We've improved the valve's performance and optimized its design, allowing us to offer AxisPro at a more competitive price point. This makes advanced technology accessible to a broader spectrum of applications.”

AxisPro Level 1 valves are available in six models. The single-stage KBSD14 is now available in 03 and 05 sizes (NG06 and NG10). The two-stage KBHD15 will be available in 05, 07, 08, and 10 sizes (NG10, NG16, NG25, and NG32) in November 2025. The valves are ideal for a wide range of industries, including primary metals, rubber and plastics, wood processing, pulp and paper, oil and gas, and civil engineering.

For more advanced application needs, AxisPro Level 2 and Level 3 valves offer servo-performance with dual motion control. Level 2 valves enable onboard closed-loop motion control, simplifying PLC requirements and increasing dynamic performance. Level 3 valves add built-in pressure and temperature sensors to make commissioning and diagnostics even faster and easier.

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@Danfoss @NapierPR #PAuto #Manufacturing

Hydraulic remote control portfolio.

Danfoss Power Solutions has announced the global launch of its portfolio of high-performance hydraulic remote controls. Designed to withstand extreme and harsh environments, the Danfoss DHRC line increases machine productivity through superior controllability and operator comfort, plus customizable, robust designs offering high reliability. Danfoss’ hydraulic remote control range includes the DHRCJ joystick, DHRCP foot pedal, and DHRCD sectional valve. The controls are ideal for excavators, skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, wheel loaders, forklifts, truck cranes, aerial work platforms, telehandlers, and drilling machinery.

“Danfoss has over 30 years of experience in developing hydraulic remote controls. We’ve offered these products on a limited basis to select customers, but we’re now ready to scale production and bring the benefits to the broader global market. OEMs need robust systems and reliable performance, and we’re ready to deliver with our DHRC joysticks, pedals, and valves,” said Seonghun Lee, senior product portfolio and marketing manager, Connect and Control Solutions, Danfoss Power Solutions.

With low leakage and hysteresis plus good linearity, the DHRC line delivers precise and repeatable operation for superior machine controllability. The joystick valve’s body and spool provide smooth and sensitive operation while minimizing internal leakage.

Flexible, customizable designs enable original equipment manufacturers to tailor the controls to the application. DHRCJ joystick options include seven switch boxes, four grips, four boots, and four bodies. The DHRCP pedal is available in seven styles, including single and double pedals, with five bellows and seven body options. The DHRCD sectional valve offers 11 lever and bar designs, four boots, and six body options.

The Danfoss DHRC range is designed for comfortable use with minimal effort, which increases productivity. The joystick features an ergonomically designed handle with a comfortable hand rest. Its grip can be configured with a comprehensive set of finger functions, enabling true personalization based on individual preferences and operational requirements.

With its robust designs, DHRC controls ensure high quality and reliability. The joystick’s valve is protected from dust by outer and inner boots. It features a strong rod seal that provides long life and low friction sealing. The DHRCJ joystick switch box is rated to IP68, while the proportional switch is rated to IP69K, offering high levels of ingress protection.

The joystick and double pedal have a rated flow of 20 L/min, while the sectional valve has a rated flow of 10 L/min. Various output pressure and operating torque options are available, and consistent performance is guaranteed over a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to 60°C.

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@Danfoss @NapierPR #Pauto #Hydraulics

New head for hydrostatics division.

Danfoss Power Solutions has appointed Tony Welter as the new president of its Hydrostatics division. Based in Eden Prairie (Minn USA), he will be a key member of the Power Solutions Leadership Team and report directly to Eric Alström, president of Danfoss Power Solutions.

Tony Welter

Tony Welter came to Danfoss Power Solutions from Eaton Hydraulics, where he held the position of vice president of the Fluid Conveyance division. Since joining Eaton in 1998, he has fulfilled several key roles, always finding new ways to meet customer needs, drive process excellence, and contribute to company growth.

“I’m very excited about working with our talented Hydrostatics division team, who share the same passion for providing innovative, value-added solutions to our customers,” says Tony Welter. “I take great pride when I see equipment in the field or on a construction site that is powered by a Danfoss hydrostatic solution. Our products are making a difference across the industry, and that is very rewarding. In addition, we have a strong development pipeline of new, innovative technology and solutions that will fuel growth and provide our customers with increased levels of efficiency and productivity.”

Tony Welter is replacing Astrid Mozes, who has been appointed president of Danfoss Developing Regions and a member of the Danfoss Group Executive Team. In his new role, Tony’s experience in the hydraulics industry, collaborative approach, and passion for innovative solutions, will be a great fit in driving further accomplishments in an already successful business.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to lead a great business like the Hydrostatics division with its highly talented, passionate team and its industry-leading product portfolio,” says Tony Welter. “It’s really not about me, it’s about the people in our Hydrostatics division who make it happen every day.”

Eric Alström adds: “I’m proud that we have such a strong leader in place to take over the role as president for our Hydrostatics division. Tony has an impressive background in hydraulics and showed strong leadership during the merger, especially in transitioning the Hydrostatics business.”

Tony Welter holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Business Administration from Carlson School Management at the same university.

@Danfoss @NapierPR #PAuto #Hydraulics #electrical

Low pressure sensor.

STW's modular sensor system is optimized for the needs of mobile hydraulics, and the sensors enjoy wide acceptance and strong demand. To meet increasing demand, the long-standing automation company from Kaufbeuren (D) has optimised the design and availability of its low-pressure sensors.

Large infrastructure projects are fueling demand for modern construction machinery, precision agriculture requires highly automated machinery, and in intralogistics autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly common. These developments are leading to strong demand for high-performance and robust sensor technology. The data from these sensors form the basis for the assistance systems of modern mobile machines.

In order to meet current high demand for low-pressure sensors, STW has revised the products of the proven M01 series for pressure ranges down to 150 mbar. A new design from the automation specialists from Kaufbeuren enables optimization of the manufacturing processes and significantly increases production capacity. With the M01 sensors from 150 mbar, STW rounds off its comprehensive pressure sensor portfolio with very low-pressure ranges. Low-pressure sensors are used, for example, as reference sensors for absolute pressure measurement in mobile hydraulics, in attachments such as field sprayers, and in many areas of process automation.

The STW modular sensor system for mobile hydraulics offers highly robust products for the detection of temperature, pressure, strain, inclination and angular velocity, and pressure switches, also in functionally safe implementations. All products have CE and the E1 test mark (approval according to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority). The sensors have been developed for use in harsh environmental conditions, including dirt, vibration, heat and cold.

@Sensor_Technik @PresseBox #PAuto #Hydraulics

Automation research at Munich University.

Training the engineers of tomorrow is a much discussed and complex undertaking. Future machine developers need hardware, software, and programming knowledge. At the Institute of Automation and Information Systems at TU Munich (D) hydraulic test benches are now helping teaching staff provide the required expertise.

The Institute of Automation and Information Systems focuses on the methods used in the automation of machines and plants. This includes hardware, software, and the structured development of intelligent mechatronic systems and automation technology. The focus is on reliability and usability, as well as human-machine interaction in engineering and plant operation. For students, this means a mix of theory and practice throughout their course.

In order to learn about, and better understand, the automation of hydraulic drive systems, the Institute has recently been equipped with two hydraulic test benches, with four workstations in total. The test benches simulate the hydraulic and position control systems of a model sized hydraulic elevator.

Head of the Institute Prof. Dr.-Ing. Birgit Vogel-Heuser explains: "The test benches are used in the bachelor and master degree courses in automation technology. They enable students to test the effects of their software directly on a very dynamic, physical system. In addition, the test stand serves to illustrate to the students that the design of the hardware system and the automation programming are in constant interaction."

HAWE Hydraulik SE provided the test stands. "As a local company, we find it important to support the TU Munich and in particular the Institute of Automation and Information Systems. It's great that hydraulics education is a fundamental part of teaching there," said Axel Schwerdtfeger, CTO at HAWE.

The four control units employed in the test stands are ESX.3cs controllers from STW STW and HAWE have enjoyed a close partnership for several years. "HAWE provides the power, and we provide the intelligence for our customers' machines. Within our cooperation, each partner can access the specialized know-how of the other, and manufacturers, for example of agricultural and construction machinery, benefit from well-coordinated holistic systems acquired from a single source," said Steffen Dieterle, CEO at STW, explaining the advantages of the collaboration.

Therefore, it is only natural that STW control technology is also on board for this project at TU Munich. The ESX.3cs is a compact, robust and powerful control unit. Among other advantages, the control units are suitable for safety-oriented applications up to Performance Level PL d or Safety Integrity Level SIL 2. The application software for the ESX.3cs can be programmed in C or according to IEC 61131-3. For programming applications according to the latter standard, both logi.CAD 3 and CODESYS are available. With logi.CAD 3 - together with the runtime system Micro-Runtime-System µRTS 3 - cost-effective and powerful solutions can be implemented. One of the main advantages of logi.CAD 3 is a powerful ST (Structured Text) editor, which will eventually be used by the students of the TU Munich (As of April 2021, on-site practical courses are suspended due to COVID-19).

With logi.CAD 3, STW customers have the additional benefit that it is integrated into the STW lifecycle tool openSYDE. It can be started directly from openSYDE and through code generation, can automatically provide the configuration basis for control programming. The open approach of both openSYDE and logi.CAD 3 complement each other perfectly. In combination with the hardware advantages of the ESX.3cs, customers - and in this case students - have a powerful, flexible and user-friendly control package.

@Sensor_Technik @TU_Muenchen @HAWEHydraulics @PresseBox #PAuto #Education

Pressure sensors SENT!

A new interface has been added to the Sensor-Technik Wiedemann(STW) modular sensor system for mobile hydraulics. For the pressure sensors of the M01 series, the SENT protocol will be additionally available in the SAE J2716, Rev 2016 variant from Q3/2020. This protocol allows the unidirectional transmission of pressure and temperature values as well as other sensor status information using a cost-effective unshielded three-wire technology, which also enables the power supply of the sensors.

In contrast to analog interfaces, SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission) allows several measurement variables, status information and other parameters, such as diagnostic values, to be transmitted via a line which is largely insensitive to electrical interference. SENT is particularly suitable for automotive applications and e.g. mobile machines. As a very simple digital protocol with high data rates, SENT is particularly advantageous in this environment if a connection via field busses is out of the question, but direct digital processing in the control unit is nevertheless required.

STW control units of the ESX device family also support the SENT interface, thus enabling an optimum interaction of the various components.

The modular sensor system for mobile hydraulics offers various products for recording physical variables such as temperature, pressure, strain, inclination and angular velocity, as well as pressure switches also in a functionally safe design. In mobile machines, the measurement values are used, among other things, for monitoring and controlling the drive, the work function or the energy management and can also be made available online with onboard software and cloud solutions from STW, e.g. for predictive maintenance measures. In addition, STW sensors are characterized by their particular resilience and durability.

The ESX control devices family includes robust and efficient safety and non-safety control units. In addition to control units with flexible adaptation possibilities via expansion boards, compact control units with fixed pin assignments are also available. To implement safety applications, the control units are equipped either with a multicore processor (fourth generation) or with a second additional processor (third generation). In both cases, various system voltages and the program sequence are monitored internally. Digital and analog feedback for almost all signal branches allows comprehensive diagnosis of the system including inputs and outputs.

The application software for the ESX control units can be created very efficiently either in "C" or according to IEC61131 (with CODESYS or logi.CAD). Additionally, depending on the control unit, Matlab support packages are available. Numerous comfort functions are already integrated in the programming interface, such as current controller and ramp functions for outputs or frequency averaging for inputs. Various additional libraries, for example for CANopen, J1939 or error handling, simplify the system integration.

#PAuto @Sensor_Technik @pressebox

Hydraulic network balancing!

Hymod is the market's first local hydraulic network balancing module that is designed to ensure variable flows in secondary circuits and thus optimise the energy efficiency of heating or cooling systems. Designed in particular for systems of up to 3,000 m2 in size, Hymod supplies comfort units with water at the right flow rates for each use. The unit improves the energy efficiency of ancillary equipment by as much as 40%.With the tightening of the EU's F-gas Regulation on fluorinated refrigerants, water-loop-based systems have once again become the natural solution for building heating and cooling needs. CIAT's Hysys® system is an advanced, comprehensive solution for the operation of water-based systems. Its balancing module for secondary networks optimises Hysys® even further.

When installed between a chiller or a heat pump and emitters (comfort units), the module isolates primary and secondary hydraulic networks. It meets regulatory requirements on network balancing, ensures the distribution of water to each emitter, and guarantees that heating and cooling systems are easy to operate, efficient and in compliance with requirements. It consists of a balancing valve on the primary network, a primary bypass and a variable flow (0-100%) accelerator pump that adjusts water flow rates to the needs of emitters fitted with power-efficient motors. Placed in zones, it meets flow rate requirements of up to a maximum of 6 m3/h (35 kW capacity).

Each module is calibrated and commissioned by CIAT's teams during the commissioning of entire heating or cooling systems, freeing fitters to do other tasks. Because it is installed locally in suspended ceilings in building zones, it frees up significant space in mechanical rooms.

On the primary network side, the isolator is fitted with a balancing valve that adjusts the nominal flow rates required in their zone. Such head-end balancing is required by Article 23 of France's 2012 thermal regulation. Water is supplied by the low-pressure pump installed in the thermodynamic machine.

On secondary networks, the Hymod isolator is fitted with an EC accelerator pump that adjusts water flow rates to the requirements of comfort units in real time and by independently managing the constant differential pressure. Comfort units must be fitted with self-balancing two-way valves. During system commissioning, these valves are very finely adjusted according to the desired nominal flow rate for each emitter. The pump of the module is then set to accommodate the sum of these flow rates.

Hymod is made of stainless steel. To prevent the risk of condensation, it features extra-thick Armaflex insulation and shells moulded to fit over the pump body and the balancing valve. Further protection is provided by an additional drip tray fastened to the piping. When used with CIAT's V30/V300 controllers, there is an optional changeover box for sending operating mode information to comfort units over a pilot line.

More than 1000 hydraulic macros

A new, comprehensive master data package for hydraulics now bridges the gap between fluid and mechanical design. More than 1000 new hydraulic macros in Eplan Fluid speeds up and simplify interdisciplinary documentation.

The new hydraulic macros in Eplan Fluid are the basis for fast, clear documentation.

The advantages of a common set of control technology documentation for fluid and electrical engineering is well known, a look at hydraulics opens up even more potential. From the beginning, Eplan Fluid 2.0 offered users a comprehensive "fluid data package" containing more than 1000 hydraulic macros. The combination of CAE functionality and the new macros provides unbeatable advantages for hydraulic designers, especially in mechanical engineering. This combination has high standard of graphic documentation according to current standards and a modular system for sub-plates, hydraulic power units, sandwich arrangements and more. What technical data must be including in the hydraulic schematic? What pressure switch settings are needed and how are they best represented in the schematic? Eplan Fluid offers the ideal solution for high-quality documentation through a combination of macros, pressure switches for instance, and the associated data tables.

Perspective: rotating and mirroring
The new macros are all designed for intelligent rotating and mirroring of fluid elements; a function in the upcoming version of Eplan Fluid. Background: Often in a schematic, it is necessary to represent that cylinders move in opposite directions and correspondingly control them. Ideally, the user only has to design half the switch and completes the documentation using the new convenient functions for rotating and mirroring. The macros provide an excellent basis for key users and administrators.

Intelligent macros
The high diversity of filters and pump/motor combinations on power units often leads to documentation that differs only in the details. Eplan technologies, such as variant technology and project options, are the foundation of creating intelligent macros that can be immediately changed in the fluid plan. A modular system makes it easy to create different variants of collective sub-plates. This system provides the easiest way to put together sections.

Interesting for manufacturers
The macro collection is the ideal starting point for fluid power component manufacturers in the hydraulic industry. They can also use the Eplan Data Portal to make their component data available. The perfect multiplier. While the neutral macros available in Eplan Fluid can be used for different manufacturers, the component data in the Eplan Data Portal is associated with a specific manufacturer and provides a solid engineering basis when combined with additional documents such as technical data sheets, component photos and 2D and 3D data.