Volunteers Needed – NFPA Launching New Technology Task Forces

NFPA recently released the 2023 update to its Technology Roadmap for the Fluid Power Industry. That document can be accessed here. Among the many things it features are the machine-level technology trends that are actively shaping the future of the fluid power industry. These trends include the increasing electrification, connectivity, and autonomous functionality of both the mobile and industrial machines that use fluid power in their power or control systems.
 
To better understand these trends, and to engage stakeholders across the supply chain in the development of the resources and connections that will be needed to keep fluid power positioned at an actuation technology of choice on all these platforms, NFPA is now launching two Technology Task Forces – one focused on mobile applications, and the second focused on industrial applications.
 
All NFPA members – suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors – are welcome and encouraged to appoint a representative to one or both of these task forces. Ideally, it should be an engineer, sales, or other technical professional who understands the needs of your company’s customers and the ways in which your products help meet those needs. Through a series of virtual meetings, each task will work to identify and then pursue a series of collaborative projects that will bring value to both suppliers and customers in these evolving spaces.
 
By way of example, last year’s Electrification Task Force discussed and authored a white paper both defining and outlining the value case for the electrification of fluid power systems in mobile applications. A copy of that report can be found here. This is just one example of the type of project that may be pursued by these new task forces.
 
The task forces are forming now, with a targeted first meeting date in October. To volunteer, refer a colleague, or learn more, please contact me at elanke@nfpa.com.