New Domin Initiative Reduces Hydraulic Valve Lead Times
Hydraulic components developer Domin has launched a new initiative to reduce delivery times for its hydraulic servo valves called Lead Time Zero. By simplifying its product range and working closely with global partners, the company is guaranteeing instant global shipment for its core servo valve range.
The company said it launched Lead Time Zero in response to global supply chain instability and increased demand for its hydraulic products. Lead times have traditionally been long in the hydraulics industry, and those have lengthened in recent years due to various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical factors. The current tariff environment has posed challenges to supply chains as well.
While companies in the hydraulics industry Power & Motion has spoken to recently have said lead times are improving, they can still be weeks long. This can prohibit productivity for engineering teams and manufacturers if they are waiting for a part.
Domin anticipates it can provide 75% faster delivery than the industry average by offering immediate shipping through its Lead Time Zero program. To achieve this, the company has worked with its supplier partners and formed a new global distribution network; by creating strategically stocked regional inventory, Domin can now more quickly deliver its most in-demand valves when and where needed across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
The company also recently completed a 40% expansion of its technology center in Bristol, U.K. where it is headquartered. This expansion focused on upgrading equipment and production flow to help the company better meet growing demand for its hydraulic valves.
“In today’s uncertain environment, no one can afford to wait months for components,” said Marcus Pont, CEO of Domin, in the company’s press release announcing the new initiative. “Lead Time Zero addresses supply chain pressures by making our most widely used valves readily available, without compromising performance. It’s about giving OEMs, end users, and system integrators the confidence to design with more precision, speed, and performance, with less cost, energy, and wait times. Their critical systems can now keep running with access to rapid replacements.”
Simplified Hydraulic Servo Valve Product Range Speeds up Specification and Delivery Times
A key aspect of Domin’s Lead Time Zero program is the simplification of its core hydraulic servo valve product range, the S4 Pro, S6 Pro and S10 Pro valves. Creation of a more simplified product range reduces complexity by having fewer options to choose from, therefore making it quicker and easier to specify the valves that will meet their application needs.
To achieve this simplified product line, Domin removed the S6 Pro X valve from its portfolio. The power density and dynamic control this valve provided are now possible with the S6 Pro.
Per the company, the S6 Pro is the most widely adopted valve in its portfolio because of the combination of power density, control accuracy, and size it provides. It has become the hydraulic valve of choice for customers in industrial, test, and automation environments. By further enhancing its power density and control capabilities, the S6 Pro valve can better meet the requirements of various applications.
The Domin valves are direct-drive hydraulic servo valves featuring onboard electronics for improved control. Data collection, remote monitoring and communication are also possible with the valve due to the integration of electronics. This digitalization of hydraulics is a rising trend in the fluid power industry because of the improved control, connectivity and other benefits possible. These capabilities are necessary to meet the evolving performance requirements of industrial machinery and other applications as they become more automated and electrified themselves.
Learn more about digitalization in the fluid power industry in our below video interview with experts from the hydraulics and pneumatics sector, including Domin's CEO Marcus Pont.
Each of Domin’s hydraulic servo valves utilize the company’s core technology while providing unique characteristics to make it easier to determine which option to use for a given application. The S4 Pro, for instance, is one of the smallest in the market with a miniature port circle of 12.2 mm and weight of less than 300 g, suiting use in robotics and other space-constrained applications. The S10 Pro, on the other hand, is better suited for high-flow applications ranging from 100-250 lpm.
Domin said its Lead Time Zero initiative is currently operational. Distribution partners have valves in stock and are currently shipping them to customers for use in a range of applications including test benches, timber processing, aerospace systems, and industrial manufacturing.
