Motion Control & Drives


Electro-hydraulic solutions for tough environments

April 2023 Motion Control & Drives

Sun Hydraulics has applied more than 50 years of valve design experience to its rapidly expanding line of electro-hydraulic products. It have studied the future of fluid power, benchmarked the competition on performance and price and applied what it learned to develop some of the most reliable, hard-working solutions in the market today.

Sun builds your solutions from the ground up, starting with a wide range of pressure control, flow control, directional and proportional valves with pilot-flow, full-flow and high-capacity versions available. It drives those electro-hydraulic valves with more than 100 different high-power, low-power and explosion-proof coils, providing precise control over millions of machine cycles.

And then it puts you in charge, combining the XMD valve driver with its CANpoint Configuration Software to make implementation of your next solution simpler, more powerful and a lot smarter. Choose from open- and closed-loop configurations, with PID closed-loop pressure, position and speed control, variable-speed fan drive control and cylinder, pump and motor control.

The valves

It all starts with the valves. Sun offers more than 80 base model electro-hydraulic valves and hundreds of configuration options to give you the flexibility you need to configure the perfect solution for your application. Models include pressure and flow control; directional 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-way control; and a range of electro-proportional valves.

Choose the DTAF 2-way directional blocking poppet valve – a small, powerful workhorse with extremely low leakage that delivers more than 10 million operational cycles and can be used to pilot larger Sun valves for higher flow rates in mobile applications. Or consider the patent-pending RVC family of two-stage, fully adjustable, ventable and blockable reliefs that reduce circuit complexity by combining two functions in one valve and provide convenient field-adjustable relief settings. They offer precise, dependable pressure regulation with flow rates up to 100 l/min.

Recently, Sun introduced the space-saving, pressure-compensated FREP flow control valve, combining an electro-proportional orifice and pressure compensator. This is ideal for situations where you need to maintain constant actuator speed regardless of the load on the actuator. This innovative design provides excellent variable flow control when using a fixed-displacement pump.

The coils

Every solenoid-operated valve needs a coil. Sun offers a full range of coil options to support your system requirements. Models are available in low- and high-power versions with options for 12-, 14-, 24- and 28- V DC and for 115- and 230 V AC. Connector options include DIN, Deutsch, AMP Junior, Metripack and twin leads. For hazardous locations, Sun offers explosion-proof coils that are ATEX, IECEx and CSA certified, with 90° and 180° connector options and in Vdc and Vac versions. Sun has the coils to drive your application in any direction.

The drivers

Sun makes it easy to control it all with the XMD electro-hydraulic driver. The XMD gives you the power and flexibility you need for demanding applications. Available in single- and dual-output versions, it is compact, incredibly rugged and can be configured quickly and easily using a smartphone and Sun’s XMD Mobile app or on a PC using Sun’s new CANpoint XMD Configuration Software.

The XMD driver is CAN configurable and designed for extreme conditions – perfect for demanding mobile environments. It is powerful, affordable, dependable and flexible. In addition to the discrete XMD driver, Sun offers a line of configurable IR embedded amplifiers that includes proportional and switching coil/controller models in 12 and 24 Vdc versions with either current or voltage command.

The software

CANpoint Configuration Software is what brings it all together. It taps into the full capabilities of the XMD driver, providing quick, easy configuration over CAN bus using a computer. It allows XMD-02 users to implement open-loop, closed-loop (PID) and hydraulic fan drive control using pre-programmed modes for Sun’s dual-output driver.

CANpoint is a free software configuration program for the XMD mobile drivers that simplifies advanced hydraulic control using a clear, simple software interface that allows for point-and-click output shaping with excellent resolution and predictable results. It requires no programming to take you from connecting to configuring to completing your application setup.

The solutions

Sun makes it easy to build your own electro-hydraulic solutions using its QuickDesign browser-based schematic tool. You can take your idea from product specification to design using drag-and-drop, point-and-click tools. Once you are satisfied with your circuit, you can submit it and get a finished package design in as little as 10 minutes.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Mammoet completes major bridge replacement at Amsterdam Centraal Station
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet completes the second of five major bridge replacements at Amsterdam Centraal Station, transporting steel deck sections by water to keep the station open throughout the works.

Read more...
ndustry expertise drives SEW-EURODRIVE’s Electra Mining Africa presence
Motion Control & Drives
SEW-EURODRIVE will showcase industry-specific drive technology, modernisation services and expanded aftermarket support at Electra Mining Africa 2026, with a focus on lifecycle support and operational optimisation.

Read more...
Next-generation motor management solution
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric has launched its TeSys Tera motor management solution in the West African market, combining advanced motor protection, digital connectivity and real-time diagnostics for manufacturing, mining and water applications.

Read more...
Premium slewing rings from SKF
SKF South Africa Motion Control & Drives
SKF’s slewing bearing portfolio spans standard and customised designs across a wide range of types and sizes, backed by advanced monitoring, remanufacturing services and application engineering expertise for demanding industrial applications.

Read more...
World’s first fully electric hydrogen fuel cell aircraft engine
Motion Control & Drives
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines are establishing a joint venture to industrialise hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for commercial aviation, combining liquid hydrogen expertise with fuel cell development to support the ZEROe programme’s 2035 target.

Read more...
Monopile handling innovations boost offshore wind farm
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet’s XXL monopile transport system and new MTC 1600 terminal crane are helping offshore wind developers safely marshal and install ever larger monopile foundations, as demonstrated on Van Oord’s Baltic Power project.

Read more...
Automation without the mega factory
Yaskawa Southern Africa Motion Control & Drives
Mid-sized South African manufacturers are turning to targeted, low-risk automation to solve specific bottlenecks rather than chasing full factory transformation, helped by retrofit-friendly robotics and advanced simulation software.

Read more...
Duplex worm gears for precision backlash adjustment
Motion Control & Drives
KHK USA has introduced duplex worm gears that allow precise backlash adjustment through simple axial movement of the worm shaft, eliminating the need for gearbox housing alterations during assembly or maintenance.

Read more...
Choosing the right level of protection in modern automation
Motion Control & Drives
Choosing the right ingress protection rating for a motor or drive is less about maximising the number, and more about understanding what the machine will actually face in operation.

Read more...
Osterwalder launches multi-plate, fully electric powder press
Motion Control & Drives
Osterwalder Technology has launched the MPneo 480, a 480 kN fully electric multi-plate powder press with up to six cross-pressing modules. Designed for hard metals, ceramics and advanced engineered materials, the press supports complex geometries and offers optional

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved