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.

  1. From Innovation to Education: Ultra Clean Technologies Corp on Contamination Control and Training

    19H AGO

    From Innovation to Education: Ultra Clean Technologies Corp on Contamination Control and Training

    At the 2026 CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Bruce Riley of Ultra Clean Technologies Corp about a busy show with returning customers and new leads and highlights innovations seen on the floor. Riley explains Ultra Clean's focus on contamination control through cleaning hydraulic hoses and tubes and encapsulating cleaned ends with heat shrink. He also introduces three new products: biodegradable stem lubricants for industrial and hydraulic applications, a patented custom 3D-printed nozzle program with 24–48 hour turnaround, and the PLC-controlled Ultra Loader for rapid projectile firing in production hose and tube assemblies. Riley also points listeners to the company website and describes webinar-based operator training and a certification program backed by independent test reports. #CONEXPO #ContaminationControl #OperatorTraining 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, Bruce Riley, at briley@ultracleantech.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.

    6 min
  2. The Art of Component Modeling and Simulation with Famic Technologies

    1D AGO

    The Art of Component Modeling and Simulation with Famic Technologies

    At the 2026 CONEXPO trade show, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Elie Nasr of Famic Technologies about show highlights and Famic's Automation Studio software for system design, modeling, and simulation across hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical, automation, robotics, and P&ID. Nassar notes the growing impact of electronics on components such as valves, pumps, and transmission systems. He explains that Automation Studio enables engineers to build models using real manufacturer components and reuse the same design for simulation, system validation, maintenance, troubleshooting, training, and full documentation, with OEM feedback citing 80–90% reductions in design time. Listeners can find updates on LinkedIn and videos on YouTube. #FluidPowerForum #CONEXPO #ModelingAndSimulation #SystemDesign 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. Additionally, we're launching Fluid Power Forum Plus, offering premium, members-only content designed just for our listeners. When you sign up on the NFPA website, you'll unlock a host of rewards, ranging from exclusive content to live panels and networking receptions. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Elie Nasr, at enasr@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.

    5 min
  3. Collaboration and System Design: The HYDAC Perspective

    2D AGO

    Collaboration and System Design: The HYDAC Perspective

    Guest host Ben Brown records from the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 show floor for the NFPA Fluid Power Forum podcast and interviews Chris Kolbe of HYDAC about show trends and HYDAC's exhibit. Chris describes a busy event despite marketplace uncertainty and notes a shift from electrification toward autonomy, automation, and user-assist functions. He explains how HYDAC is showcasing system solutions that combine filtration, valves, electronic controls, accumulators, and other components to enable steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire, including variable steering-rate functionality. HYDAC is also ranh live mini excavator and skid steer demos—electrified with hydraulics still central to work functions—to help OEMs evaluate integrated system design and collaboration. Learn more at hydac.com or connect with Chris on LinkedIn. #FluidPowerForum #Autonomy #SystemDesign #CONEXPO 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. Additionally, we're launching Fluid Power Forum Plus, offering premium, members-only content designed just for our listeners. When you sign up on the NFPA website, you'll unlock a host of rewards, ranging from exclusive content to live panels and networking receptions. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Chris Kolbe, at chris.kolbe@hydacusa.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.

    5 min
  4. From Diesel to Electric: HeavyTech's Sustainable Shift

    3D AGO

    From Diesel to Electric: HeavyTech's Sustainable Shift

    At the 2026 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Trade Show, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Andrew Johnson of HeavyTech about show highlights and industry trends toward electrification. Johnson explains that HeavyTech is a new U.S. manufacturer in Fort Wayne, Indiana building compact track loaders, mini excavators, and articulated loaders with diesel-electric hybrid and all-electric powertrains. He says HeavyTech is taking a clean-slate approach to hybridization to improve fuel efficiency and total cost of ownership while emphasizing right to repair, uptime, safety, and operator enjoyment, and that updates are shared on HeavyTech's LinkedIn, alongside appreciation for NFPA-member partners supporting the design. #CONEXPO #Electrification #HybridEquipment 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. Additionally, we're launching Fluid Power Forum Plus, offering premium, members-only content designed just for our listeners. When you sign up on the NFPA website, you'll unlock a host of rewards, ranging from exclusive content to live panels and networking receptions. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Andrew Johnson, at andrew@shelfawarevmi.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.

    5 min
  5. Advancements in Sensor Technology: Reducing Costs and Driving Fluid Power Forward

    4D AGO

    Advancements in Sensor Technology: Reducing Costs and Driving Fluid Power Forward

    This special episode of Fluid Power Forum features a recording of NFPA's inaugural Controls, IoT, and Data (CID) council webinar from February 2026, hosted by Mike Lietke with guest Mark Hoffman, Senior Vice President of Rota Limited. Hoffman outlines Rota's history and focus on transducers and high-end sensors used in hydraulic cylinders and beyond, including rotary sensing and tank applications, and explains how product development is driven by both customer needs and internal innovation. The discussion compares mobile and oil & gas requirements, emphasizing hazardous-area certifications, extreme-environment robustness, and the importance of collaboration among end users, cylinder manufacturers, and sensor suppliers. Hoffman describes industry shifts toward non-contact sensing, increased electrical robustness, and cost-reduction trends such as lower gun-drilling costs and material/assembly changes, and previews Rota's expanded manufacturing capacity and new rotary sensor product. 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. Additionally, we're launching Fluid Power Forum Plus, offering premium, members-only content designed just for our listeners. When you sign up on the NFPA website, you'll unlock a host of rewards, ranging from exclusive content to live panels and networking receptions. Connect with our guest host, Mike Lietke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Mark Hoffman, at markhoffman@rota-ltd.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 #CID #sensors #costreduction

    35 min
  6. Revolutionizing Heavy Equipment: The Rise of Electrification and Precision Control

    FEB 23

    Revolutionizing Heavy Equipment: The Rise of Electrification and Precision Control

    In this episode of Fluid Power Forum, host Eric Lanke interviews David Lundquist, Global Product Manager at Hydraulic Technologies, about high-pressure, heavy-load hydraulic systems and the push toward electrification and cordless jobsite performance. The conversation focuses on synchronous motion to reduce stress on heavy structures and improve safety. Lundquist compares the long-established MCS synchronous system with the newer eSync system, a modular, two-person-carry platform that can connect to many existing pumps and cylinders and is available in cordless configurations that eliminate generators for remote, low-fume, or noise-sensitive environments. Field examples include bridge bearing replacement lifts and lateral push/pull applications like skidding tunnel boring machines and precision compression work in data centers. Lundquist also shares major projects, including lifting the Palace Theater in Times, and highly precise rotor maintenance work at the Niagara Falls hydropower plant. Check out some of the video examples discussed at the links below: Palace Theater Lift Niagara Falls Rotor Maintenance 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. Additionally, we're launching Fluid Power Forum Plus, offering premium, members-only content designed just for our listeners. When you sign up on the NFPA website, you'll unlock a host of rewards, ranging from exclusive content to live panels and networking receptions. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, David Lundquist, at david.lundquist@hytec.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.

    35 min
4.8
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

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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