D*F Family of valves with Parker logo

As a Premier Distributor of Parker Hannifin products, Triad is your go-to source for cutting-edge motion control solutions. Parker's D*F proportional valve family—specifically the D*FB, D*FC, and D*FP series—represents the pinnacle of hydraulic precision, offering unparalleled control for your most demanding applications. To help decide which is right for you, we’re breaking down the features, benefits, and ideal uses for each of these powerful proportional valves.

 

Parker D*FB

Precision Speed Control

The Parker D*FB proportional valve is the ideal solution for achieving accurate speed control or flow control in closed-loop systems, utilizing an external flow or velocity sensor for precise feedback. Its design enables accurate flow control for managing the rate of movement in hydraulic cylinders or motors, while also providing excellent speed regulation for applications requiring consistent, steady velocity, such as conveyor systems or winding processes. If your primary goal is to maintain a constant speed or precisely meter the flow of fluid, the D*FB valve delivers reliable performance and tight control.

 

Parker D*FC

Steady State Position Control

For applications where maintaining a specific, stable position is crucial, the Parker D*FC proportional valve offers steady state position control in closed-loop systems, utilizing an external position sensor (like an LVDT or encoder) for feedback. This valve provides reliable position holding, even under load, and offers consistent accuracy that makes it excellent for repetitive positioning tasks in critical areas like machining centers, injection molding clamp units, or material handling, delivering stability and repeatability for demanding position control applications.

 

Parker D*FP

High-Accuracy Trajectory & Force Control

The Parker D*FP proportional valve is the premium choice for the most complex and demanding tasks, offering superior trajectory control, high accuracy position control, and force control. Ideal for advanced systems requiring dynamic performance, the FP series excels with rapid, precise movement profiles, such as following complex, high-speed position profiles in robotics or flight simulators. Its force control capability is also extremely precise, ideal for applications requiring meticulous force regulation, like pressing and testing. The D*FP is highly user-friendly and suitable even when the hydraulic system conditions are not fully known, providing reliable operation and the highest accuracy and repeatability within the D*F family. Plus, these valves are available with significantly extended communication capabilities, including IO-Link interface, 360° RGB LED, NFC system, and a pressure-compensation membrane.

 

Choosing the Right Valve

While all three are fantastic proportional valve options, there are several key differences to note when choosing the best solution for your application:

 

D*FB

D*FC

D*FP

Primary Control Objective

Speed or flow control

Steady state position control

Trajectory, high-accuracy position, or force control

Best For

Consistent velocity/flow regulation

Maintaining a stable, precise end position

Complex motion, high dynamics, unknown conditions

Disturbances

For low disturbance (reactionary forces are almost constant)

For medium disturbances (reactionary forces vary during operation)

For high disturbances (reactionary forces vary highly during operation)

 

Choosing the right valve is critical for system performance. The D*FB is optimized for velocity, the D*FC for stable positioning, and the D*FP for dynamic movement and high-precision force—making it particularly 'foolproof' in complex scenarios due to its robust design.

 

Ready to integrate the perfect Parker Hannifin D*F series valve into your machinery? As your trusted Premier Distributor, Triad is your source for Parker D*FB, D*FC, and D*FP proportional valves. We provide expertise to help you select, configure, and optimize your hydraulic system. These series also feature a 5 Day Lead Time program, so you can get the back to work quickly. Contact us today to enhance your control, precision, and machine performance with reliable proportional valve solutions!