Vehicle Challenge Midway Reviews Underway

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.

The NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge final Design and Specification Midway Reviews are coming up in the next few weeks in January. The reviews are 45-minute webinar presentations with 10 minutes of Q&A from the judges. During this review, students present their initial design and mechanical drawings that illustrate the fluid power control circuits to be created for the vehicle as well as the results from their analysis of fluid flow and expected performance. This gives judges the opportunity to speak directly with each team and provide them with feedback and considerations as they begin the next stage of their project.

Even though the reviews started in December, there are a few more presentations taking place next week. You can evaluate one team, or all of them!* It’s an easy way to get involved and see what these emerging engineers are working on in their capstone projects.

If your company is interested in connecting with university students and faculty in person, consider attending the Final Competition in suburban Denver. This event will be hosted by Bimba Manufacturing at IMI Precision Engineering in April. Student teams will come together to compete in three event races as well as prepare a presentation detailing their design and engineering process.

To volunteer or to learn more about the NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, contact Stephanie at sscaccianoce@nfpa.com.

*This opportunity reserved for Gold or Silver donors of the Pascal Society. Find out if your company is already a donor here.

About the Program

The NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge tasks college engineering students with redesigning a traditional bicycle using hydraulics as the mode of power transmission. By combining this unlikely pair, the Vehicle Challenge creates an environment that results in uncommon connections and breakthroughs while supporting learning and the growth of fluid power industry knowledge.

In the first semester of the Vehicle Challenge, teams gain knowledge in fluid power components, circuits, and systems, and their use in controlling force and motion. Participants meet industry judges and mentors, order components from the parts suppliers, and begin planning for the Design and Specification Midway Review. During this review, students present their initial design and mechanical drawings that illustrate the fluid power control circuits to be created for the vehicle as well as the results from their analysis of fluid flow and expected performance. This gives judges the opportunity to speak directly with each team and provide them with feedback and considerations as they begin the next stage of their project, which ultimately leads to the final product and competition in April.