2021 Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge Update

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, this year’s NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge program expanded to two separate competitions, ensuring that more students and universities can participate, and more NFPA Foundation donors can connect with these students. Both events will take place in a virtual format. Norgren will host one event April 7-9 and Danfoss Power Solutions will host the other April 14-16.

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. Although the event will be taking place virtually, a plan has been put in place to see the vehicles perform each of the races.

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

• Judging the Final Presentations, Vehicle Design Reviews, and race results.
• Participating in networking events designed to directly connect you with students.
• Participating in a Recruitment Mixer at each event which, much like speed meetings, will allow HR/ Outreach representatives a 5–10-minute presentation to a virtual table of 6-8 students at a time before rotating to the next batch of students. This will allow for more focused and personal one-on-one interactions.

Participating Pascal Society Donors will receive heightened visibility through this virtual delivery, and they will also have exclusive access to the resumes of the student participants for the opportunity to recruit them.

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

• Norgren
• 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