With the support of NFPA Pascal Society donors, this year’s NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge program will feature two separate final competitions, ensuring that more students and universities can participate, and more industry supporters can connect with these students. Danfoss Power Solutions will host one event April 20-22 in Ames, Iowa and Norgren will host the other April 27-29 in Littleton, Colorado.
“Danfoss is pleased to once again welcome students, advisors, and judges to our Application Development Center for the NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge,” said Jeff Herrin, VP Research & Development at Danfoss Power Solutions. “We look forward to seeing the results from the creativity, calculations, and practical hands-on problem solving that each of the student teams has been challenged to deliver to this unique application of fluid power.”
“Norgren is excited to host the NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge,” said Kent Sowatzke, VP Engineering at Norgren. “As innovators in motion solutions ourselves, we’re excited to see what creative solutions student teams have designed. Norgren is proud to foster the next generation of engineers, designers, and technicians. What could be more fun than seeing the competitors’ bicycle designs tested on our course? We look forward to welcoming teams from all over the country to our Norgren site in beautiful Littleton, Colorado.”
The Vehicle Challenge is an undergraduate program that requires engineering students to redesign a traditional bicycle using hydraulics as power transmission as a senior capstone design project or as an extracurricular activity. Students experience real world engineering under strict deadlines for designing, building, testing, and demonstrating their designs. NFPA member industry professionals serve as mentors and judges to guide the students in their learning. Through the program, students learn about fluid power, build a network of peers and industry professionals from all over the country and compete for cash prizes in three separate races – sprint, efficiency, and endurance.
Industry members are heavily involved in the program, participating in judging the events, networking with students, and performing career outreach. These companies will receive heightened visibility and they will also have exclusive access to the resumes of the student participants for the opportunity to recruit them.
The following NFPA Foundation donors support this program:
Event Hosts
- Danfoss Power Solutions
- Norgren
Program Sponsors
- IFP Motion Solutions Inc.
- SunSource
Founding Sponsor
- Parker Hannifin Corporation
Product Suppliers
- Eaton Corporation
- Lubrizol
- Source Fluid Power
- Vest Inc.
For more information or to get involved, contact Stephanie Scaccianoce at sscaccianoce@nfpa.com.
