NFPA Seeks Volunteers for Industrial Fluid Power Technology Roadmap Development
The National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) is currently seeking volunteers from the fluid power industry to aid in the creation of a new Technology Roadmap for industrial applications.
Every 2 years, NFPA publishes an updated Technology Roadmap to outline areas in which the industry should consider focusing development efforts. The association states these documents describe technology strategies being deployed in fluid power’s end markets and ways for fluid power to increase its inclusion in those strategies.
Each edition is intended to serve as an R&D agenda for the sector to aid with the continued advancement of hydraulics and pneumatics, ensuring these technologies continue to meet customer needs and remain a relevant motion control technology of choice.
According to NFPA, previous Technology Roadmaps have been more heavily weighted toward mobile applications served by fluid power, prompting the association's Board of Directors to focus the next edition on industrial applications.
Mobile applications such as construction and agricultural equipment account for a large portion of the customer markets served by fluid power. But there are also many industrial applications which rely on hydraulics and pneumatics, including:
- metalworking and machine tools
- paper machinery
- food processing
- packaging machinery
- plastics and rubber machinery.
Properly assessing the design needs of these applications is just as important to ensuring the longevity of hydraulics and pneumatics — especially as electromechanical alternatives come into play more for industrial machines — prompting the development of an industrial focused Technology Roadmap.
Industrial Application Expertise will Benefit Roadmap Development
NFPA says it already has a project plan in development for the industrial applications Technology Roadmap. Members of the association's Industrial Technology Task Force will aid in its creation and publication.
However, all NFPA members who work in this application area or are interested in participating are welcome to become a part of the task force and aid in the roadmap's creation. This includes suppliers, manufacturers, controls and data companies, and distributors. Engineers and other technical professionals with an understanding of how fluid power solutions are used by customers are preferred.
In addition, the association is seeking referrals from members to technology partners and customers in the industrial space who might be interested in providing their perspective as well. Other industry associations and OEMs have offered insights for previous editions which aided the roadmapping process for the hydraulics and pneumatics sector.
NFPA intends the production process for the new roadmap to begin in December 2024 and conclude in November 2025. Market surveys conducted during this time as well as virtual meetings will be used to compile information and aid with the prioritization of technology strategies and necessary fluid power capabilties to include in the roadmap.
The association notes this collaborative process not only aids with creation of the roadmap but also provides valuable networking opportunities for participants.
Those interested in participating or providing referrals can contact Eric Lanke, President and CEO of NFPA.
