Usually, summertime is quiet in terms of events and conferences, but not so for the National Fluid Power Association, which has three events slated for the coming months. The technical conferences — Automate Show and iVT Expo — coming in June and August continue to grow each year and the Industry Economic Outlook Conference is always an industry favorite.
Mini conference at the Automate show
Hydraulics and pneumatics have long been key actuation technologies for all kinds of industrial and in-plant applications. Recent advances in fluid power have increased their capabilities and provided for deeper hybridization and integration with electrical and other systems on industrial machines. The NFPA is presenting a track of education programs on this topic at the Automate Show in Chicago June 22-25. Three presentations from NFPA members will showcase the application of these new technologies in the in-plant environment.
The confirmed schedule for June 24 is:
1:30-2:15 PM — Choosing the Best Fit Motion Control Components & Systems, presented by Frank Langro, Director, Product Market Management, Festo Corp. Just as there are many ways to get from point A to point B, in the world of automation we can move, pick, and transport parts in numerous ways with a large variety of automation components to choose from, often leaving the system designer/engineer with the challenge of how to select the best fit actuators to match the application. Learn how to choose the right technology and zero in on pneumatic actuators and navigate through the various options available. The session will discuss the pros and cons of pneumatic actuation and electric actuation along with some guiding considerations as to choosing the best fit technology. It will also help attendees decide on the best fit pneumatic actuator, be it a traditional piston rod type cylinder, or guided or rodless type actuators, and the steering questions to make the right choice for the application.
2:30-3:15 PM — From Crankshaft to Electro-Hydraulic: Closed-Circuit Drive & Control Solutions in Cryogenics, presented by Jon Frey, Head of Product Area New Business, Bosch Rexroth Corp. The session will address a joint development project toward next generation liquid-to-liquid (LH2) and liquid-to-high-pressure gas (GH2) CryoPumps for hydrogen refueling stations. This electro-hydraulic drive and long-stroke cryogenic pump solution, as an integral part of the overall station architecture, intends to revolutionize the hydrogen refueling infrastructure by optimizing logistics, reducing footprint, and reducing operational costs at refueling stations. Existing CryoPumps, often designed for LNG, and crankshaft driven, are not optimal for liquid hydrogen due to vastly different physical properties such as boiling temperature, latent heat, and sensitivity to boil-off. Efficiency losses of (30-50%) and reliability issues (200h) further curtail adaptability in fuel stations associated with consumer-driven consumption cycles, in contrast, for example, to industrial applications which may have more predictable, stable consumption requirements throughout the day, and can tolerate space requirements for buffer tanks. Additionally, their placement in open environments to prevent explosions complicates noise dampening and increases station complexity due to the need for additional high-pressure storage tanks, valve panels, and cooling systems.
3:30-4:15 PM — Smart and Sustainable Monitoring Solutions for Pneumatically Driven Machines, presented by Jon Jensen, Industry Projects Manager – Energy, SMC Corp. of America. Optimize productivity, CO2 reduction, and energy savings through enhanced monitoring. Learn how the design and implementation of smart devices at the machine level can help to achieve production goals, reduce downtime, and cut costs by making data-driven decisions. This presentation will explore the ramifications of adding significant monitoring and communication to the standard modular air preparation system in the industrial automation workspace. Such a system can reduce compressed air use while digitally finger-printing the machine’s current performance. Let’s use a case packer as an example: Typically, these machines have many large actuators that operate at a very high cycle rate. If the case packer is outfitted with sufficient monitoring, communication, and control, the end user can very quickly realize deep energy savings (25-40%) by “automatically” switching the machine into 1 of 2 possible “Eco modes” when the machine is idle. The end-user can also take full advantage of the monitoring (perhaps via an OPC-UA interface) to collect and analyze machine performance and establish condition-based-maintenance (CBM) algorithms, thus minimizing breakdowns due to pneumatic component failure. The data stream should bypass the traditional methods of PLC mining and go directly to the end-user’s SCADA system to minimize integration effort, particularly on legacy machines.
All three sessions are included in the Automate Conference registration. Visit www.automateshow.com/conference to register.
Industry & Economic Outlook Conference
The Industry & Economic Outlook Conference, fondly called the IEOC, will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, August 17-19, at the Oak Brook Hills Hilton, outside of Chicago. This event highlights key market trends to help fluid power professionals strengthen their business strategy. Attendees will hear from top economic analysts and industry experts, as well as enjoy multiple networking opportunities.
This year’s lineup will begin with valuable insights and economic discussions. The conference kicks off with “Expectations and Practical Strategies for Trade and Tariff Environment,” by Nathaniel Bolin, K&L Gates. Nico Palesch, Oxford Economics, will provide “Oxford Economic’s Global Forecast and Outlook on Key Issues and Markets.”
Tayler st. germain, pictured here in 2023, will return to the ieoc to provide the u.s. forecast for key markets and fluid power.
After lunch, several breakout sessions will be offered, including:
- Practical Applications of AI for Distributors and Manufacturers, by Senthil Gunasekeran, PhD, and Pradip Krishnadevarajan, PhD, ActVantage
- Heavy Truck Market Forecast, by Eric Starks, FTR Transportation Intelligence
- Channel Alignment Principles and Techniques, by Senthil Gunasekeran, PhD, and Pradip Krishnadevarajan, PhD, ActVantage
- Construction Machinery Forecast, by Alastair Hayfield, Interact Analysis
- Agriculture Machinery Forecast, by Georg Stieler, STM Stieler
- Inventory Management Principles and Techniques, by Senthil Gunasekeran, PhD, and Pradip Krishnadevarajan, PhD, ActVantage
Tuesday will wrap up with audience favorite, Taylor St. Germain, ITR Economics, with his “US Forecast for Key Markets and Fluid Power,” followed by dinner reception.
Wednesday opens with the Foundation Report, followed by a short half-day program. Scott Hazelton, S&P Global Insights, will provide an “Outlook for Major In-Plant Sectors,” followed by “OEM Perspectives on Technology Developments and Requirement,” a panel discussion moderated by Eric Lanke, NFPA.
The event concludes with “Geopolitics, MacroTrends and the Soft Skills Leaders Need,” presented by Sam Potolicchio, President of the Preparing Global Leaders Forum.
Afterwards, NFPA will provide a shuttle to the iVT EXPO, at the Rosemont convention center.
“This year’s IEOC arrives at a pivotal time for the fluid power industry as the companies in their end markets accelerate innovation in efficiency, automation, electrification, and machine performance,” said Eric Lanke, President and CEO of NFPA. “With iVT Expo taking place alongside the conference, attendees will have unmatched access to emerging technologies and the experts behind them in one highly concentrated week. If companies want insight into where the industry is headed next, this is the place to be.”
Early bird pricing is available through July 11, and hotel rooms through the discounted NFPA-room block must be booked by July 18. Visit nfpa.com to learn more and register.
iVT Advanced Hydraulics Conference
For the third year, the National Fluid Power Association will deliver its Advanced Hydraulics Conference at iVT Off-Highway Vehicle Technology Expo, slated for August 19 and 20 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
cory fisher of Sun Hydraulics presents at the 2025 NFPA advanced hydraulics conference at iVT expo in 2025.
Running alongside the Off-Highway Evolution Summit, this two-day conference will feature discussions on the latest advances in hydraulic technology for attendees and exhibitors.
Topics will address:
- Advanced electrohydraulic systems and controls
- Hydraulic efficiency and energy management
- Hydraulics for automated and/or AI-driven machines
- Integration of hydraulics with electrified powertrains
- Digital hydraulics and smart fluid power systems
- New architectures for high-performance mobile machinery
While the conference is still under development, some speakers have been determined. They include Bruno Dupuis, corporate accounts manager, Famic Technologies Inc.; Luka Korzenioswki, director -product development, Leggett & Platt Hydraulics; DJ O’Konek, engineering manager, Nott Co.; Nathan Martinez, apps engineer, Turntide Technologies; Darren Lockyer, VP of electronics, Bailey International; David Stevenson, vice president of sales and marketing – BH Americas, Bucher Hydraulics; Andy Gray, director of sales, Scanreco; Kyle Myers, engineering manager, Parker Hannifin; Nathan Pedigo, head of engineering, Wilkes and Mclean; and Adam Livesay, CEO and co-founder, Elevat.
Visit ivtexpo-usa.com for more details and to register.
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