Fluid Power World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Hydraulics
      • Cylinders & Actuators
      • Filtration/Contamination Control
      • Fittings, Couplings & Adapters
      • Fluids
      • Fluid Conditioning
      • Hose & Tubing
      • Pumps & Motors
      • Related Technologies
      • Sealing
      • Sensors & Gauges
      • Valves & Manifolds
    • Pneumatics
      • Air Preparation & Regulation
      • Compressed Air Technologies
      • Cylinders & Actuators
      • End Effectors & Grippers
      • Fittings, Couplings & Adapters
      • Hose & Tubing
      • Sensors
      • Vacuum
      • Valves & Manifolds
  • Engineering Basics
  • Trending
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • Pneumatics Tech Toolbox
    • Podcasts
    • Special Reports
    • Subscribe to Fluid Power World Print Magazine
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
  • Women in Engineering
    • Women in Fluid Power
    • Women in Engineering
  • Design Guides
  • Classrooms
    • Hydraulic Filtration
    • Hydraulic System Design
    • Pneumatics Classroom
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Robotics, automation headline Fluid Power Technology Conference 2019

By Mary Gannon | January 21, 2019

Share

The 2019 edition of the Fluid Power Technology Conference is slated for May 14-15 at the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Kern Center. The conference will open both days with exciting keynote presentations talking about how the fluid power industry can be leaders in robotics and automation technologies.

Dan Kara WTWH FPT KeynoteOn May 14, Dan Kara, Vice President, Robotics at WTWH Media, will kick off the conference at 9:30 a.m. with this talk, “Robotics Solutions for Small-to-Medium Manufacturers.” A large percentage of small-to-medium manufacturers have missed out on many the benefits of robotic industrial automation such as increased productivity, improved quality and enhanced competitiveness. Rapid change, however, is underway. Both traditional industrial robotics companies, as well as a number of new vendors, are providing products and services specifically designed satisfy the requirements and support the culture of the sizable and underserved small-to-medium manufacturer market. In this session, attendees will learn about these new products and services. Real world case studies will be presented to illustrate salient points. Topics covered include:

  • Collaborative robotics
  • Bench-top systems
  • Grippers and gripping systems
  • Application specific systems
  • Mobile robots
  • Robotics-as-a-service
  • Non-traditional manufacturing and novel application areas
  • Flexible automation
  • Rapid deployment and simplified programming
  • What’s next

As VP, Robotics at WTWH Media, Kara is chartered with driving the company’s robotics and intelligent systems initiatives. Prior to joining WTWH, he was Practice Director, Robotics at ABI Research and Chief Research Officer for Myria RAS, both research and advisory services firms focused on automation, robotics and intelligent systems. He served as President of Robotics Trends, the producer of Robotics Trends and Robotics Business Review online news, information and analysis portals, as well as a number of robotics business development events. Kara is a widely known research analyst and well-respected thought leader who has extensive business development experience with nascent technology markets that are poised for rapid growth.

Donna Ritson DDR Communications FPTC Keynote Donna Ritson, President of DDR Communications, will open day two of the conference at 8:30 a.m. with her presentation, “The Evolution of Advanced Automation.” Attendees will learn about the advancements in Automation and the influence of technological breakthroughs that are impacting the industry for years to come. The presentation will review the role of pneumatics in automation, the reasons driving embedded intelligence, and the growth of smart machines on the plant floor.

Donna Ritson founded DDR Communications more than 30 years ago. DDR’s business is based on a direct response methodology that delivers market research, business development, strategic alliance and actionable market intelligence for companies in virtually every B2B industry.

DDR has been a partner with PMMI for more than 12 years reporting on the trends that help members gain a deeper insight into key markets and customers.

Donna is a certified business communicator with a BA and MSMC in Marketing Communications.

Visit www.fluidpowertechconference.com for more details and to register.


Filed Under: News

 

About The Author

Mary Gannon

Mary Gannon is editor of Fluid Power World. She has been a technical writer and editor for more than 13 years, having covered fluid power, motion control and interconnect technologies.

Current Digital Issue

Fluid-Power-World-October-2026-issue-Cover-feature-image-template-copy

  A note from the editor In our October issue of Fluid Power World, my commentary takes a look at the growing role of automation and sensors in mobile machinery, where OEMs are increasingly focused on automating specific functions and improving machine performance rather than chasing fully autonomous equipment. Josh Cosford gets cheeky comparing the auto…

View Back Issues

Subscribe!

Fluid Power World is written by engineers for engineers engaged in designing machines and or equipment in Off-Highway, Oil & Gas, Mining, Packaging, Industrial Applications, Agriculture, Construction, Forestry, Medical and Material Handling. Fluid Power World covers pneumatics, mobile hydraulics and industrial hydraulics.

Fluid Power Design Guides

fluid
“fpw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Fluid Power Professionals.

RSS feed: Featured White Papers Featured White Papers

  • Moving fluid power forward
  • High-force linear motion: How to convert from hydraulic cylinders to electric actuators and why.
  • A technical comparison: Performance of pneumatic cylinders and electric rod actuators
Fluid Power World
  • Hose Assembly Tips
  • Mobile Hydraulic Tips
  • Pneumatic Tips
  • Sealing & Contamination Control Tips
  • About us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2026 Arrowfly LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Arrowfly
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Fluid Power World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Hydraulics
      • Cylinders & Actuators
      • Filtration/Contamination Control
      • Fittings, Couplings & Adapters
      • Fluids
      • Fluid Conditioning
      • Hose & Tubing
      • Pumps & Motors
      • Related Technologies
      • Sealing
      • Sensors & Gauges
      • Valves & Manifolds
    • Pneumatics
      • Air Preparation & Regulation
      • Compressed Air Technologies
      • Cylinders & Actuators
      • End Effectors & Grippers
      • Fittings, Couplings & Adapters
      • Hose & Tubing
      • Sensors
      • Vacuum
      • Valves & Manifolds
  • Engineering Basics
  • Trending
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • Pneumatics Tech Toolbox
    • Podcasts
    • Special Reports
    • Subscribe to Fluid Power World Print Magazine
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
  • Women in Engineering
    • Women in Fluid Power
    • Women in Engineering
  • Design Guides
  • Classrooms
    • Hydraulic Filtration
    • Hydraulic System Design
    • Pneumatics Classroom
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE