The National Fluid Power Association consistently works to increase the number of technical college and university students educated in fluid power and connect them to careers in the fluid power industry. In the university arena, the organization has the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, which challenges college students to redesign a traditional bicycle using hydraulics.
The program, which runs from September through April, culminates in a final competition where teams compete in three races (sprint, efficiency and endurance) and present to industry judges about their project. The 2019 final competition will be hosted by Bimba Manufacturing Company, which is a part of IMI Precision Engineering, on April 11-12, 2019, in Littleton, Colo.
This year, the NFPA will be matching members directly to a university engineering team for mentoring. These teams will check-in with their mentor throughout the program to discuss things like vehicle design, component selection, assembly questions, and final adjustments before the final competition.
Not only will this help the teams to learn more about fluid power from industry experts and be successful in the final competition, but it will provide a great connection and recruitment opportunity for members. That’s the goal.
If you would like to make connections with students and help them learn more about fluid power, please contact Lynn Beyer at lbeyer@nfpa.com or (414) 778-3364.
The NFPA could not bring this program to life without the support of its generous sponsors. In addition to Bimba, sponsors include Parker Hannifin; Eaton and SunSource serve as parts suppliers; and LubeTech serves as fluids supplier.
NFPA
www.nfpa.com
