2021 Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge Expands to Two Locations

Programs like the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge are made possible in part by the generous support of industry volunteers as well as NFPA Education and Technology Foundation and Pascal Society donors. Support these efforts by making a donation.

With the support of NFPA Pascal Society donors, the 2020/21 school year’s NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge program will expand to two competition sites, ensuring that more students and universities can participate, and more NFPA Foundation donors can connect with these students. Bimba Manufacturing, a part of IMI Precision Engineering, will host one event at their facility in Littleton, Colorado and Danfoss Power Solutions will host the other at their facility in Ames, Iowa.

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.

All Pascal Society Donors are welcome to participate, and we plan to involve you in a variety of ways:

1. Mentoring a Vehicle Challenge team for the program year, serving as a technical support as they progress.
2. Judging the Design and Specification Midway Reviews.
3. Attending the final competition to facilitate the races and evaluate the teams’ final vehicles and presentations.
4. Supporting the program as a sponsor.

Participating Pascal Society Donors receive visibility through the Vehicle Challenge website and recognition during the final competition networking events. They will also have exclusive access to the resumes of the student participants for the opportunity to recruit them.

Last year, we asked for feedback on how this program results in new hires at NFPA member companies, and one student and advisor had this to say about the experience:

“My involvement in the Challenge helped me learn about fluid power and exceeded my expectations because it resulted in an employment opportunity from the team’s industry mentor. At the beginning I didn’t know much about fluid power and was not considering working in the fluid power industry.” – Past Student Participant, 2020 Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge

“NFPA provides a great platform to connect schools with industry. Specially a networking opportunity so that our students can learn from the industry advisors and be able to demonstrate their skills which will help them find a job. We really appreciate that and look forward to near future collaborative opportunities.” – Ali Alireza, Faculty Advisor, Purdue Northwest University

Click here to see if your company is a Pascal Society Donor. For more information or to get involved, contact Stephanie at sscaccianoce@nfpa.com.

Thank you to the NFPA Foundation donors who support this program:

Event Hosts

Bimba Manufacturing, a part of IMI Precision Engineering

Danfoss Power Solutions

Program Sponsors

Bimba Manufacturing

Iowa Fluid Power

SunSource

Founding Sponsor

Parker Hannifin Corporation

Product Suppliers

Danfoss Power Solutions

Eaton Corporation

Source Fluid Power