Complex drive configurations can turn straightforward motor control installations into costly, time-consuming challenges. If you've ever struggled with getting a VFD up and running due to confusing parameter setups, or faced extended downtimes when replacing a VFD due to the complexity of replacing an old unit, Parker’s AC Series Drives offer a clear, streamlined solution for a variety of industrial applications. 

Quick, Easy Setup with Parker AC Series Drives

Parker's AC Series is designed for simplicity and ease-of-use in a low-cost, compact package. Whether your needs involve compact drives for OEM machines, advanced general-purpose drives for demanding tasks, or modular drives for flexible installations, Parker AC Drives simplify the entire setup process.

• Intuitive Configuration and User-Friendly Software: Eliminate confusion with Parker’s intuitive software interfaces. From initial setup to advanced operational tweaks, Parker’s straightforward Drive System Explorer (DSE) software offers a more intuitive function block-style programming interface with preloaded libraries for most common applications. This simplifies the commissioning process by significantly cutting down installation time and complexity. For more advanced programming, Parker Developer offers a universal Codesys-based IEC61131-3 programming environment.
• Flexible Integration into Existing Communications: With built-in support for Modbus TCP/IP and options for popular industrial fieldbus protocols including Modbus RTU, Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, and CANopen, Parker AC Series Drives can integrate seamlessly with your existing control architecture. Expandability and modularity ensure that the drives easily adapt as your system requirements grow.
• Application Cloning: Parameter setups can be cloned between Parker AC Drives with a simple microSD card, making in-the-field replacements or firmware upgrades trivial to perform. 

Why Customers Prefer Parker AC Series Drives:

• Simplified Installation: Avoid complex configurations with intuitive setup wizards and clear, user-friendly interfaces.
• Faster Commissioning: Accelerate operational readiness with straightforward, step-by-step installation procedures.
• Dependable Performance: Ensure consistent, reliable operation through durable construction and advanced design features.
• Compact and Cost-Effective: Save money and space with a compact design at a low price point. 

Stop wasting valuable time on complicated drive configurations. Choose Parker’s AC Series Drives and streamline your installation processes for greater productivity and reliability, and efficiency.

Learn more about the complete Parker AC Series Drives.

Contact us at (855) 737-4716 to schedule an engineering consultation or request a proof-of-concept demo, or fill out our online form to learn more. 

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, signed on August 16, aims to accelerate clean energy innovation, including hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. With increased focus on hydrogen, it's crucial to clarify misconceptions and understand how hydrogen fits into the clean energy landscape.

Hydrogen doesn’t occur naturally in usable form and must be produced. The environmental impact of hydrogen depends heavily on its production method—classified as grey, blue, or green hydrogen.
 

Grey hydrogen, which makes up over 90% of U.S. hydrogen production, is created through steam-methane reforming (SMR), a process that emits significant carbon dioxide. This method persists because it leverages existing natural gas infrastructure, making it the most economical option today.

Blue hydrogen also uses the SMR method but includes carbon capture and storage (CCS), preventing emissions from entering the atmosphere. While environmentally preferable to grey hydrogen, it’s often misrepresented as "green." In truth, it is a cleaner—but not emission-free—option.

Green hydrogen is the cleanest form, produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources like wind or solar. It emits no carbon, but it requires large volumes of purified water and significant infrastructure investment. This makes it the most expensive and technically demanding option.

The current challenge lies in transitioning from the entrenched fossil fuel-based system to cleaner hydrogen solutions. Grey hydrogen remains cheaper than blue, which in turn is cheaper than green. These cost differences influence adoption rates and how incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act are applied.

When companies scale back hydrogen projects, it doesn’t mean hydrogen is failing. Often, it's a response to cost-benefit realities—where green hydrogen isn’t yet viable for light-duty transport but may make sense in industrial or chemical sectors where demand is high and infrastructure is more adaptable.

The future of hydrogen depends on proper incentives, supportive policy, and reducing the cost gap between grey and green hydrogen. With new tax credits and increased federal backing for both blue and green hydrogen projects, the shift toward cleaner hydrogen is underway. While hydrogen isn’t yet a universal solution, particularly at the consumer level,

It remains a vital component of the broader strategy to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors. I wrote a full article on this topic for Power Magazine last year. If you’d like to learn more, I suggest you give it a read.

Call us today at (855) 737-4714 to learn more or fill out our online form and someone will get back to you.

If you're building instruments that demand high-resolution positioning—think semiconductor inspection, digital pathology, or precision metrology—then you already know that not all linear stages are created equal. Learn more about Ballscrew Actuators vs Belt Pulleys vs Linear Motors. The Parker mSR Series is built precisely for these applications.

This is not just a scaled-down version of a larger platform—it's a purpose-built, direct-drive linear positioner engineered for sub-micron repeatability, smooth motion, and clean multi-axis integration. 

This is not just a scaled-down version of a larger platform—it's a purpose-built, direct-drive linear positioner engineered for sub-micron repeatability, smooth motion, and clean multi-axis integration. 

Precision Options That Match Your Budget and Application

The mSR Series delivers two performance levels in the same form factor:

• The Precision Grade: Achieves 100-200 nm repeatability with 5-micron accuracy over 50 mm. Ideal for demanding tasks like laser processing or optical alignment.
• The Standard Version: Uses magnetic encoder technology to offer cost-effective performance, competing with screw-driven stages but without the wear, backlash, or maintenance.

In short, you're no longer forced to choose between budget and performance.
 

Encoder Choices For Every Need

Whether you’re designing for a microscope-based Z-axis or an X-Y gantry, the mSR comes in two optimized sizes: 

• mSR80: Ironcore motor for higher force output in compact spaces.
• mSR100: Ironless motor for smoother, cog-free motion and reduced moving mass.  

Both support a broad range of encoder options—optical (1 µm, 0.1 µm, 0.01 µm), BiSS-C absolute, analog sine/cosine, and magnetic (1 µm)—so you can dial in the resolution that matches your system and control architecture. 

Engineered Details That Eliminate Guesswork

Valin’s mSR offering doesn’t stop at performance specs—it’s built for ease of integration and longevity:

• High-flex cabling as standard
• Integrated limit and home sensing (no extra wiring headaches)
• Tapped holes and dowel pinning for repeatable multi-axis builds
• Optional magnetic counterbalance for Z-axis use, a clean alternative to springs or pneumatics 

All CE and RoHS compliant and available with cleanroom-friendly options. 
 

Why Settle for Less?

Your application doesn’t need "good enough." With the Parker mSR, you get sub-micron precision, smooth motion, and cost-effective options—all in a compact, flexible platform supported by Valin’s expert application engineers.

Ready to build smarter, faster, and cleaner? 

Learn more: mSR Series Linear Motor Stages from Parker

Contact us at (855) 737-4716 to schedule an engineering consultation or request a proof-of-concept demo or fill out our online form to learn more.

Unplanned downtime can bring production to a grinding halt—often due to preventable equipment failures. Whether it’s a high-throughput assembly line, precision inspection system, or material handling application, the ability to anticipate issues before they occur is key to maintaining efficiency and avoiding costly disruptions. The IAI XSEL2 Controller is designed with this challenge in mind, integrating advanced predictive and preventative maintenance capabilities directly into its core architecture. 

Unlike traditional controllers that simply react to failures, the XSEL2 continuously monitors key system health indicators such as:

• Fan speed
• Motor overload status
• Internal capacitor condition

Helping operators identify potential problems before they escalate.  

It also features actuator recognition and detailed diagnostics, offering clear insights into system status and maintenance needs. By proactively addressing wear and performance issues, the XSEL2 not only minimizes downtime but also extends equipment lifespan, ensuring your automation system runs smarter, longer, and more reliably. 
 

Learn more about IAI XSEL2 Controller.

Contact us at (855) 737-4716 to schedule an engineering consultation or request a proof-of-concept demo or fill out our online form to learn more.

Power Meets Precision: Why the Parker XLM Series is Changing the Game

When every micron matters and every millisecond counts, conventional linear motion systems often fall short. If you are chasing peak throughput, ultra-smooth motion, and zero mechanical backlash, it's time to look beyond belts and screws.

That’s where the Parker XLM Series Linear Motor Stages come in.

These high-performance stages combine precision-ground linear rails with direct-drive linear servo motors, delivering performance levels previously only seen in custom-built systems. But now? They’re off-the-shelf and engineered for scalability.

Why Choose the XLM Series?

Let’s break down why OEMs, integrators, and machine builders are migrating to this platform:

1. Frictionless, High-Speed Motion

The XLM stages utilize ironless linear motors, meaning no contact between the moving parts and the stator. This not only removes friction and backlash, but also eliminates wear—perfect for cleanroom and long-life applications.

2. Unmatched Positioning Accuracy

Thanks to high-resolution linear encoders and a stiff mechanical design, XLM stages can achieve sub-micron repeatability and accuracy, even during high-speed moves, especially when paired with our high-performing ACS NanoPWM servo drives.

3. Compact Footprint, Big Results

The low-profile design is ideal for space-constrained applications such as:

• Semiconductor assembly
• Precision metrology
• Laser machining and scanning
• Biomedical equipment

4. Simple Integration, Scalable Configurations

Parker’s modular architecture makes it easy to build out multi-axis systems, from X-Y setups to complex gantries. With precision-matched components and plug-and-play compatibility with Parker’s ACR motion controllers, you're not stuck reinventing the wheel every time.

Where Valin Comes In

At Valin, we specialize in engineering automation solutions that work the first time—because your time, quality standards, and customer satisfaction depend on it. When you need support beyond the datasheet—think motion profiles, dynamic load analysis, and control integration—we’re your team.

Parker is one of our core automation partners, and the XLM Series fits perfectly into the portfolio of high-performance motion systems we help design and support.

Let’s simplify the complexity. Whether you’re retrofitting a system, scaling production, or designing from the ground up, Valin’s automation experts can help you evaluate if the XLM platform is the right fit for your motion challenge.

Ready to Upgrade?

Let’s talk through your application. We’ll look at your motion requirements through the lens of LOSTPED (Load, Orientation, Speed, Travel, Precision, Environment, Duty Cycle)—and help configure a system that’s optimized for your needs.

Learn More: XLM Series Linear Motor Stages from Parker

Contact us at (855) 737-4716 to schedule an engineering consultation or request a proof-of-concept demo or fill out our online form to learn more.