Mobile Electrification and Product Innovation Central to Parker Hannifin’s Approach
“VARIODRIVE is a best-practice example of our ideal partnership,” says Frank Durban, Division Marketing & Commercial Manager at Parker, when asked about the collaboration. We spoke with him about Parker’s market approach and how the company views the development of new products. We conclude with a significant theme, mobile electrification – discussing how Parker and VARIODRIVE collaborate on replacing diesel engines with electric motors on construction sites.
At Parker, we view marketing differently, placing much more emphasis on the strategic aspect. Defining the right markets and market segments, determining which products these require, and then ensuring that we develop and launch these products. Developing a catalog or website is important, but ultimately, you need to meet the customer’s needs regarding future products and services.”
Frank Durban started with Parker during his studies and, after obtaining his Masters in Electrical Engineering, joined the Research & Development department. Here, he worked on various products like logic and motion controllers, as well as the well-known Compax3 Servo Drive. When asked to introduce new technology to colleagues and customers, he discovered his affinity for a more customer-oriented role. Since last year, he has been leading the marketing efforts of a division that combines electric and electromechanical products with Parker’s pneumatic activities.
Strategic Partnership with VARIODRIVE
“I’ve had close contact with VARIODRIVE since the beginning of my career at Parker. VARIODRIVE is a key strategic partner for us, and that’s why they are closely integrated into our organization. They know all the important people and directly serve customers on our behalf. This also means that their ‘voice of the customer’ is always included in our development process, and they often serve as an ‘alpha customer,’ being the first to work with new products.
I would certainly highlight VARIODRIVE as a ‘best practice’ example of how we want a distributor to operate and the expertise they possess. Because the products from my division are not typical catalog products – a customer can’t simply choose something but needs guidance in the process. Certain calculations are involved, and experience with various applications plays a big role, which is exactly what VARIODRIVE can offer. They are an extension of our organization in the Netherlands, not only selling our product but also acting as trusted advisors to their customers. Only partners like VARIODRIVE can build that relationship and engage directly with their customers’ engineers.”
Product Innovations at Parker
Although VARIODRIVE is intimately familiar with our products, I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a few products: the PSD servo drives, the ETH series of electromechanical cylinders, and the new HLR series of linear actuators for multi-axis applications.”
Next-Generation Servo Drives: PSD Series
Parker’s latest generation of servo drives is the PSD series, succeeding the renowned Compax3. Aimed at markets like food processing, packaging, textiles, paper, and plastics, the PSD series servo drives enable machine builders to reduce their costs for building, configuring, and operating stand-alone and multi-axis servo drives. VARIODRIVE has successfully deployed this product in various applications in collaboration with Parker.
The ETH Series of electromechanical cylinders (ball screw-driven)
With a precision class 7 and an extra-large ball screw, the ETH (high-force electric cylinder) offers a range of electric cylinders with unparalleled power density and thrust. This product is suitable for a variety of linear motion needs that require high thrust, such as material forming, assembly, and press-fitting.It serves as an ideal platform for electrifying hydraulic cylinder applications with a clean electric solution.
HLR Series actuators (High Moment Rodless Linear Actuator)
The HLR Series is an economical linear actuator that is ideal for multi-axis applications such as handling systems. It is a compact, belt-driven linear guide equipped with a rodless linear actuator that has a high load capacity. The HLR series is particularly suitable for multi-axis X-Y handling applications in assembly, electronic manufacturing, and pick & place applications.
Mobiele elektrificatie: replacing combustion engines with electric motors and electrifying hydraulics in construction machinery
“Together with VARIODRIVE, Parker is developing products to be at the forefront of the new market of mobile electrification. This is a significant step as my division was originally focused solely on industrial applications, and our products were mainly used in production environments such as packaging, food processing, and assembly. Now, we are part of a major effort to remove or minimize diesel engines from construction sites by replacing diesel engines in construction vehicles like excavators and mining equipment with electric motors. The new electric motors are more energy-efficient, produce less noise, and emit fewer exhaust gases.
The first step that many customers take is using an electric motor to control the flow and pressure of the hydraulic pump. Specifically, Parker has developed a complete range of products and services, centered around the GVM and GVI motor/inverter combination, for customers looking to decouple hydraulics from diesel engines. In the coming period, we will continue to collaborate with VARIODRIVE to support customers in making this crucial transition.”
VARIODRIVE is proud of its longstanding partnership and values the strong connection between the two companies, just as they do. With Parker products, we consistently make a difference for machine builders, and we will continue to do so. If you’d like to learn more about VARIODRIVE’s approach or how we support machine builders, please contact us at sales@variodrive.nl or call +31 186636280.
