Fluid Power Forum

National Fluid Power Association

Dive into the world of hydraulic and pneumatic innovation with Fluid Power Forum—your go-to podcast for all things fluid power in engineering and industry. Each episode features in‑depth conversations with experts from manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and heavy machinery, exploring technology breakthroughs, best practices, system optimization, and real‑world case studies. Discover how fluid power systems shape automation, energy efficiency, and industrial design.

Tune in to hear more about:
1: Insights on hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, circuit design, pressure control, and more.
2: Expert advice on fluid power maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety procedures.
3: Interviews with engineers, OEMs, suppliers, and thought leaders.
4: Real-world projects showcasing energy-efficient technologies and automation strategies.
5: Tips for applying fluid power innovations in industries like agriculture, robotics, and construction.

Whether you are in the fluid power industry, an OEM looking for solutions, or a hobbyist, the Fluid Power Forum delivers practical knowledge to elevate your skills and stay ahead in fluid power technology.

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34 episodes
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English

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#188
September 21 · 29 min
Getting to Zero: The Quest for Leak-Free Hydraulics
Fluid Power Forum host Eric Lanke interviews Jeremy Rideout, senior application engineer at Gates Corporation. Gates was a key contributor to the NFPA's whitepaper, Preventing Leaks in Fluid Power Systems, about a system-level, life-cycle approach to leak prevention. Rideout explains why leaks drive warranty costs, downtime, dissatisfaction, and revenue loss, and emphasizes that leak performance is largely set by early design decisions using the STAMPED requirements framework (Size, Temperature, Application, Material, Pressure, Ends, Delivery). He highlights best practices in hydraulics and sealing, including proper hose routing and clamping, minimizing connections, avoiding mixing hose and couplings across vendors, designing for accessibility and serviceability, controlling contamination during assembly with standard cleaning and inspection metrics, and using trained, standardized processes. He stresses preventive maintenance and routine inspections, and notes future improvements from quick-connect systems, material science advances, and supplier collaboration. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Read the full whitepaper at the NFPA Technology Reports website. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with experts at Gates Corporation, at fppasupport@gates.com. Learn more about Gates Corporation here. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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September 10 · 5 min
Helical Hydraulics and the Future of Electrification
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Greg Shtrahman of Marzocchi Pumps about trends at iVT, including hybrid technology, electric drive systems, integration, and sensors, and how they can pair with hydraulic pumps. Shtrahman highlights Marzocchi's vertically integrated manufacturing of hydraulic gear pumps, gear motors, helical gear pumps, and micro pumps, emphasizing helical technology as a driver for electrification due to low noise (about 40 dB or less), dual compensation, low-RPM high-efficiency performance (90%+ volumetric efficiency), and new four-quadrant bidirectional capability. He explains how reversible helical pumps and motors with VFD control can reduce reliance on proportional valves and pressure-compensated piston pumps, with key off-highway applications such as battery-powered waste management trucks, mobile equipment, and material handling. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Greg Shtrahman, at gregs@marzocchipumpsusa.com. Learn more about Marzocchi Pumps at marzocchipompe.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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September 9 · 4 min
Model, Simulate, Optimize: The Next Generation in Systems Modeling
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Bruno Dupuis of Famic Technologies about innovations in electro-hydraulic systems and how new components can be modeled in Automation Studio to support digital twins. Dupuis explains that Famic has over 35 years of software development experience and showcases Automation Studio, a CAD and simulation platform for hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical, and automation. The software enables real-time system simulation and analysis of pressures, flows, temperature, voltage, current, and energy consumption for prototyping, training, and troubleshooting. He highlights Automation Studio version 10 features including a new 3D mechanism for simulating external forces on linear and rotary actuators, plus wire harness schematics and fluid connection diagrams, with more information and demos available at famictech.com. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Bruno Dupuis, at bdupuis@famictech.com. Learn more about Famic Technologies at famictech.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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#187
September 8 · 27 min
Quiet Power, Big Motion: Engineering the Da Vinci Center Dinosaur
Host Eric Lanke interviews Jim Diehl and Chris Parisse of Bosch Rexroth about a decentralized hydraulic drive solution showcased in an animatronic dinosaur exhibit at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Replacing an older gear-pump/servo-valve/PLC dinosaur, the new eight-foot "T‑Rexroth" uses four color-coded, interactive axes with visible components and lighting to teach hydraulics while operating quietly, compactly, and with easy maintenance. The system uses a CytroPac hydraulic power unit with variable-speed drive and individual motor-pump groups near each actuator to reduce noise, simplify architecture, and limit failure points. Advanced sensors, closed-loop motion control, and remote monitoring track pressures, temperature, strokes, and fluid cleanliness for reliability and troubleshooting. They note broader applications in pressing and testing for quieter, energy-efficient, space-saving machines with improved repeatability in a digital age. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guests, Jim Diehl (Jim.Diehl@boschrexroth-us.com) and Chris Parisse (Chris.Parisse@us.bosch.com). See the Da Vinci Center Dinosaur in action here! Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #fluidpowerforum #dinosaurs #advancedsensors #childproof #onlyfluidpowercan
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September 4 · 3 min
Building Hydraulic Solutions at the Speed of Customer Demand
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, guest host Ben Brown interviews Scott Mason of FluiDyne Fluid Power about a busy show and the continued shift toward electrified hydraulics with precise electronic position and feedback control. Mason highlights FluiDyne's booth display of hydraulic components including piston, vane, and gear pumps, directional control valves, and hydraulic motors. He emphasizes FluiDyne's ability to respond quickly to customer needs by building required pump configurations from stocked parts, reducing typical 16–20 week lead times to turnaround in days, supported by friendly service. FluiDyne also offers just-in-time inventory, stocking ongoing customer products and acting as a dedicated warehouse to maintain availability for fast delivery. Listeners can learn more at fluidynefp.com. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Scott Mason, at scott@fluidynefp.com. Learn more about FluiDyne Fluid Power at fluidynefp.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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September 3 · 4 min
From the Cab to Remote Control: Reimagining Operator Interfaces
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Andy Gray of Scanreco about the show's value for targeted networking with customers and partners and the growing real-world implementation of AI, machine intelligence, operator interfaces, connectivity, and automation. Gray highlights Scanreco's radio remote control solutions, including the OneGrip single-handed pistol-grip handheld remote for applications like service cranes and agricultural seed tenders. He also discusses Scanreco's acquisition of Cross Control and its open software platform, emphasizing increasing demand for larger displays, multiple screens, centralized computing architectures, and software-defined vehicles that integrate onboard screens and controls with remote control systems. Listeners are directed to scanreco.com, crosscontrol.com, and LinkedIn for more information. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Andy Gray, at andy.gray@scanreco.com. Learn more about Scanreco at scanreco.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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September 2 · 5 min
From ePTOs to AI Vision: The Next Generation of Mobile Equipment
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Reinhold Herrman of IFP Motion Solutions about show growth and emerging technologies in electrification, sensors, controls, and AI for operator interfaces and autonomous machines. Herrman highlights IFP's exhibit, including a stock electrified ePTO system that lets diesel or gasoline trucks shut off on site while batteries power an electric motor-driven hydraulic pump to run cranes, buckets, and stabilizers, reducing idling, fuel and maintenance costs, with ROI under two years and automatic recharging while driving. He also describes AI vision systems that detect people and objects, assess fruit quality, and follow lines to improve productivity, safety, and efficiency while helping less-skilled operators perform at higher levels. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Reinhold Herrman, at rherrman@ifpusa.com. Learn more about IFP Motion Solutions at ifpusa.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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September 1 · 4 min
Innovation, Expansion, and Manufacturing for North America
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, guest host Ben Brown interviews Rick Guidish of Vis Hydraulics about the show's strong traffic and productive conversations, and about innovations he's noticing, especially growing applications of artificial intelligence in products and processes. Guidish highlights Vis Hydraulics' continued expansion of its North American operation, including added assembly and test production in Franklin, Wisconsin, ongoing U.S. warehousing of Italy-made products, and the acquisition of Murphy Machine Products to produce valve components in-house and support shorter supply chains. He also discusses expanded proportional valve offerings and a new North America-specific solenoid valve family featuring a half-inch port tube (instead of the European 13 mm) to improve tubing interchangeability and fit current market demands. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Rick Guidish, at rick.guidish@vishydraulics.com, or (630) 334-9267. Learn more about Vis Hydraulics at vishydraulics.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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August 31 · 3 min
Turning Components into Integrated Machine Solutions
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, guest host Ben Brown interviews Carlos Villarreal of Fluid System Components about iVT and the company's exhibit. Villarreal highlights how electronics are increasingly integrated into hydraulics, with electrification influencing manifolds, pumps, and other components year over year. He explains that Fluid System Components, part of Summus Holding, provides fluid power, motion control, engineering, and system integration, supporting customers from individual components to engineered, integrated solutions. The booth showcases hydraulics, electronic controls, and engineered solutions, backed by an in-house engineering team that can build complete systems from manifolds and pumps through valving, joysticks, and HMI. He notes control options including Epic, Rexroth, and HYDAC, and directs listeners to fscinc.com for more information. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Carlos Villarreal, at clvillarreal@fscinc.com. Learn more about Fluid System Components at fscinc.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique app.lications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA
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August 28 · 5 min
GenSteer: Rethinking Steering for Off-Highway Machines
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo in Chicago, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Tim Opperwall of Husco about the value of iVT for connecting customers, suppliers, and competitors, and what Husco is exhibiting at the show. Opperwall highlights Husco's GenSteer steer-by-wire technology, a CONEXPO Next Level Awards first-place winner, shown in a live demo with updates based on OEM and end-user feedback. GenSteer is positioned as a safer, simpler, more cost-feasible approach that uses operator energy as fail-functional backup in loss-of-power or controller scenarios, removes hydraulics from the cab, and enables compact, integrated steering architecture—"redundancy without replication." He also mentions Husco products including MX7 and M Series solenoids, and directs listeners to husco.com. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Tim Opperwall, at timothy.opperwall@husco.com. Learn more about Husco at husco.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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August 27 · 4 min
Haptics, Hydraulics, and the Future of Machine Operation
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Ken Baker of Bailey International about trends and exhibits at iVT, noting the show's evolution from electronics toward full systems and a growing presence of hydraulics, valves, and subsystem valve suppliers. Baker highlights Bailey International's booth lineup, including standard controls, hydraulic products, and new closed-loop systems, plus an innovative software-driven concept joystick that provides haptic and mechanical feedback without fixed mechanical limits, enabling configurable detents and gearshift-like positions. He explains that advanced feedback can support functional safety by helping operators keep attention outside the cab while still receiving control cues. Listeners are directed to baileyintl.com and Bailey's sales and applications teams for technical support. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Ken Baker, at ken.baker@baileyhydraulics.com. Learn more about Bailey International at baileyintl.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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August 26 · 6 min
From Reservoir to Pump: Measuring Aeration through Sonar Technology
At the 2026 IVT Off-Highway Expo, guest host Ben Brown interviews James Oftelie of AM Tech LLC (Aeration Measurement Technologies) about exhibiting at IVT and the value of trade-show networking. Oftelie explains AM Tech's innovation for mobile hydraulics: a passive, acoustic sonar-based method that instruments a machine to quantify entrained air by listening to sound transmission in the suction line from reservoir to pump. By measuring changes in speed of sound attenuation and processing the signal with an algorithm, the system produces an aeration number to support hydraulic system design, troubleshooting, optimization, testing, and reservoir performance validation without adding hardware beyond standard transducers. He directs listeners to amtechllc.com and AM Tech's YouTube and Instagram for more information. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, James Oftelie, at james.oftelie@amtechllc.com. Learn more about Aeration Measurement Technologies at Aeration Measurement Technologies, LLC. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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August 25 · 4 min
Smarter Hose Protection for Modern Mobile Equipment
At the 2026 IVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Luke Ferranti of CAPlugs about his first IVT experience and what the company is exhibiting for the off-highway hydraulics market. Ferranti highlights IVT's mix of heavy equipment and technology advances, including joystick control applications relevant to product protection. CAPlugs showcases its hose protection solutions, emphasizing installation efficiency through options like pre-cut segments and a bundler tool for wrapping. He also discusses customization features such as different colors and sleeve markings to support end-user needs. Listeners are directed to connect via LinkedIn, follow CAPlugs on LinkedIn, and visit caplugs.com for literature, the full catalog, and custom work details. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Luke Ferranti, at luke.ferranti@caplugs.com. Learn more about CAPlugs at caplugs.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
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#186
August 24 · 27 min
Rods, Fluids, and Seals: The Three Pillars of Leak Prevention
In this Fluid Power Forum episode, host Eric Lanke interviews Trevor Combs, global technical manager for off-highway at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, about preventing external hydraulic leakage in linear rod applications using a system-level approach emphasized in NFPA's whitepaper "Preventing Leaks in Fluid Power Systems." Combs explains how leakage is driven by interactions among the counter surface (rod substrate, coating, and surface finish), the hydraulic fluid (viscosity index, temperature range, cleanliness/contamination control, lubrication), and the seal system (geometry, materials, and multiple components like primary/secondary seals, wear rings, and wipers). He discusses balancing lubrication film versus leak prevention across extension and retraction strokes, key variables such as pressure, speed, duty cycle, and surface roughness beyond Ra, and innovations including back-pumping seals, pressure-relief buffer seals with integrated check valves, and venting wipers. Future focus areas include surface treatments, moving away from chrome, PFAS-free materials, compatibility with sustainable fluids, and predictive maintenance using customer data. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Read the full whitepaper at the NFPA Technology Reports website. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Trevor Combs, at trevor.combs@trelleborg.com. Learn more about Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, here. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #Seals #SurfaceFinishes #Engineering #FluidPowerTechnology
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#185
August 10 · 39 min
10 Years of the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge!
Host Eric Lanke commemorates the 10-year anniversary of NFPA's Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, where university teams simulate, design, build, test, and race hydraulics- and pneumatics-powered vehicles, judged on efficiency, speed/acceleration, regenerative braking, and sustained performance; the program hit a record 32 participating universities. Guests Dr. Jake Swanson (Minnesota State University, Mankato), Dr. Brian Steward (Iowa State University), and longtime technical liaison Ernie Parker (recently retired from Hennepin Technical College) discuss how the competition's resources and industry mentoring support student learning, how the challenge has scaled to multiple sites and improved rules over time, and common hurdles such as design, component sizing, ordering and time management, and limited hands-on shop skills. They share memorable competition moments and advise new teams to start early, ask mentors for help, and plan extra time for debugging, emphasizing workforce development and pathways into the fluid power industry. To get involved, contact Mary Pluta, at mpluta@nfpa.com. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with Ernie Parker, at ernieparker1@msn.com. Connect with Dr. Brian Steward, at bsteward@iastate.edu. Connect with Dr. Jake Swanson, at jacob.swanson@mnsu.edu. Learn more about the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, Hennepin Technical College, Iowa State University, and Minnesota State University, Mankato. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #WorkforceDevelopment #VehicleChallenge #Engineering #Education
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#184
July 27 · 22 min
Leak Prevention: Protecting Performance, Reliability, and Reputation
Fluid Power Forum host Eric Lanke interviews Paul Michael, director of the Fluid Power Institute at Milwaukee School of Engineering, about NFPA's whitepaper "Preventing Leaks in Fluid Power Systems." Michael shares his background in lubricant formulation and hydraulic testing and describes MSOE's hands-on fluid power education. The discussion explains why leak prevention is critical to hydraulics because pressurized fluid stresses connectors, hoses, tubes, and seals, affecting reputation and sustainability. A committee of about 25 contributors developed the report and conducted a voice-of-the-customer survey, with 75% reporting leakage problems tied to customer satisfaction, downtime, and warranty costs. Adapters and connectors were cited as the largest component-related leakage source, with 31 causes identified across design, installation, mounting, selection, and material compatibility. Michael emphasizes application-driven design to minimize maintenance, the importance of standards (including SAE hose and performance tests), and avoiding tapered pipe threads in favor of modern straight-thread and O-ring sealing approaches. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Read the full whitepaper at the NFPA Technology Reports website. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Paul Michael, at michael@msoe.edu. Learn more about MSOE, at www.msoe.edu. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #Hydraulics #Sealing #LeakPrevention #Innovation #NFPAWhitepaper
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#178
July 13 · 20 min
From Alloy to Application: Engineering Materials for High-Load Applications
Host Eric Lanke welcomes Ehren Polheber, corporate fluid power engineer at Scot Forge, to discuss how material science and selection affect hydraulic systems and fluid power component manufacturing. Polheber shares his 22-year fluid power background and 14-year tenure designing and troubleshooting large forging equipment, and explains that correct material grades and heat treatments are critical to avoid catastrophic failures under high loads while enabling lightweight designs in mobile equipment. He outlines a selection process based on applied loads, operating conditions (fatigue, temperature, corrosion), trade-offs (strength, machinability), and cost of ownership, noting that supplier-customer collaboration is essential. The episode compares casting and forging: castings offer near-net complex shapes at lower cost, while forgings reduce porosity and align grain flow for high-stress, mission-critical hydraulic applications. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Ehren Polheber, at epolheber@scotforge.com. Learn more about the company at www.scotforge.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #EngineeringExcellence #SystemOptimization #MaterialScienceJourney
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#182
June 29 · 35 min
Duty Cycles, Machine Learning, and Energy Efficiency: Optimizing Electrified Hydraulics
Host Eric Lanke interviews Barun Acharya, system engineering manager for electrification at Parker Hannifin, about energy efficiency gains from electrified hydraulics and insights tied to NFPA's white paper and a CONEXPO technology conference. Acharya describes how emissions rules, noise limits, and ESG mandates are driving electrification, and outlines key challenges including unclear duty cycles (addressed via energy mapping), power-density mismatch between hydraulic and electric actuators, complex system integration (CAN, software, EMC, operator feel), and revealed hydraulic noise once diesel is removed. He explains that traditional inefficiency is largely the engine–pump coupling, while smart hybrid architectures use batteries to buffer transients and run engines near optimal BSFC. He details a hybrid backhoe case with engine downsizing and indoor electric operation, enabled by sensors, data, and machine-learning use for duty-cycle classification, predictive maintenance, and operator coaching. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Barun Acharya, at bacharya@parker.com. Learn more about the company at www.parker.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #EnergyEfficiency #HybridArchitecture #Electrification
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#181
June 15 · 32 min
Advancing Technologies for Fluid Power: Controls, IoT, and Data
In this Fluid Power Forum episode, NFPA host Eric Lanke shares a recorded NFPA webinar on advancing technologies for controls, IoT, and data—featuring Scanreco Director of Sales Andy Gray. Gray explains how Scanreco's professional radio remote controls serve OEMs and system integrators for mobile and industrial machinery in harsh environments, translating operator intent into hydraulic actuator motion from simple on/off to highly proportional control to improve safety, precision, and productivity. Discussion covers operating at safer distances, integrating camera feedback and Human Machine Interface, HMI, information onto remotes, and the growing role of assisted operation and autonomy across applications like agriculture, forklifts, drilling, demolition, forestry, and fire equipment. Gray describes field research with operators, integration via CAN and software tools, OEM preference for open integration ecosystems, and progress to unify remote control, advanced displays, and onboard computing amid trends of digitalization, electrification, automation, and usability. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Andy Gray, at andy.gray@scanreco.com. Learn more about the company at www.scanreco.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #Controls #Safety #Autonomy #CID
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#180
June 1 · 26 min
Material Matters: Saving Money with Smarter Material Selection and System Design
Host Eric Lanke welcomes Mitch Van Remortel, strategic channel manager at Charter Casting, to discuss material science innovations relevant to fluid power and why material selection affects total cost of ownership. Van Remortel outlines his background and explains Charter Casting's focus on large, complex iron castings, emphasizing consistency, quality, and an engineering-led approach. He describes key material-selection factors—mechanical performance, manufacturability, and life-cycle performance—and notes that early material choices are hard to change later. He highlights cost drivers beyond raw material price, citing a frack pump conversion from low-carbon steel that saved about $200,000 annually and reduced weight by roughly 60,000 pounds. The episode covers gray vs. ductile iron characteristics, system-level impacts like vibration damping in hydraulic cylinders, channel/distribution collaboration, and future trends including data-driven tools and AI in material evaluation. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Mitch Van Remortel, at vanremortelm@chartercasting.com. Learn more about the company at www.chartercasting.com Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #Innovation #Engineering #MaterialSciences
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