Fluid Power Forum

On today's show, our guest is Vykram Vijayasekaran, the Electrification/EV Thermal Management Manager at AKG of America. With over a century of experience, AKG of America's focus on cooling solutions has resulted in a wide variety of applications and system offerings. Diving into the current state of thermal management, Vykram breaks down challenges of this field, as well as the benefits users can experience from sophisticated solutions. We also discuss the importance of modeling in early stages of system design. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Additionally, we're launching Fluid Power Forum Plus, offering premium, members-only content designed just for our listeners. When you sign up on the NFPA website, you'll unlock a host of rewards, ranging from exclusive content to live panels and networking receptions. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Vykram Vijayasekaran, at vykram.vijayasekaran@akg-america.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan, and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #thermalmanagement #systemdesign

On today's show, our guest is Aaron Jagoda, a Systems Engineer in Danfoss' Innovation and Development Solutions Team. This unit specializes in hydraulic system innovation, electrification, and digital control strategies for off-highway equipment. Expanding on his talk at the 2025 iVT Expo, Aaron provides a deep-dive into this system, it's functions, and some efficiency results based on testing a mini-excavator platform. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Aaron Jagoda, at aaron.jagoda@danfoss.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan, and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #flowcontrol #valves

On today's show, our guest is Nathan Featherstone, a PhD Student at Purdue University's Maha Fluid Power Research Center. This lab has the distinction of being the NFPA's first University Power Partner, and is educating the next generation of fluid power engineers and leaders, Nathan's early successes being one example of this. Nathan spoke at iVT to demonstrate his experimental electro-hydraulic architecture for electrified off-road vehicles. Using a novel design for connecting the pump, motor, and actuator, he was able to achieve significant, though still experimental, gains in system efficiency. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Nathan Featherstone, at nfeathe@purdue.edu. To download the presentation materials mentioned, click here. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan, and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. # FluidPowerForum #offhighway #electrification

On today's show, our guest is DJ O'Konek, an Engineering Manager at Nott Company. With hundreds of years of combined experience, Nott's hydraulic engineers deliver complete, customizable hydraulic solutions at the component level. DJ spoke at iVT on the evolution of Off Highway Power Transmission methods over time, from the internal combustion engine-driven hydraulic system to battery-driven electric systems, and has taken the time to break these concepts down for us. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, DJ O'Konek, at dj.okonek@nottco.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan, and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #powertransmission #mobilehydraulics

Closing out our iVT Bite Series is Keith Simons of OEM Controls. This is OEM Controls second year exhibiting at the event, and Keith is excited about the future of iVT and shares some about his experience there so far. He also talks about his company's booth, new control products, as well as the customizability that OEM Controls provides. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #controls

Hallie Riley from IC Fluid Power is today's iVT Bite Guest. This is IC Fluid Power's second year exhibiting at iVT, join to hear about their experiences at the event. Hallie also walks us through the company's booth, featuring rotary and linear actuators, a wide range of valves, and her company's sourcing philosophy. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #hydraulics

James Oftelie of Aeration Measurement Technologies LLC is joining us for this iVT Bite. This is the first year this company is visiting this event and has already committed to exhibiting next year. Listen to hear about James' iVT experience, as well as the cutting edge acoustics analysis that he is bringing to the world of mobile hydraulics. You can contact James Oftelie on LinkedIn, or at james.oftelie@amtechllc.com #iVTexpo #fluidpower #innovation

Today's iVT Bite features Rick Guidish from Vis Hydraulics. This is Vis Hydraulics second year participating at iVT and first year of exhibiting. Rick took the time to talk about his experience at iVT 2025. He also walks us through the wide range of hydraulic cartridge valves his company is showing, as well as upcoming operational updates. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #hydraulics

On today's show, our guest is David Price, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at QCC, LLC; a unique firm in the fluid power industry that focuses on long-term product management. With a mission to provide supply chain continuity, even after the original manufacturer has ceased component production. Join our conversation to learn more about what QCC does to keep fluid power systems running over the long-term. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, David Price, at dprice@qccorp.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan, and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA. #FluidPowerForum #productmanagement #supplychain

Joining us on this iVT Bite is Peter Rombalski from CA Plugs. This is CA Plugs first time at iVT, and is excited to be attending and share more about their experience at this event. Peter also elaborates on CA Plug's exhibit, namely a wide variety of caps and plugs, masking, and a wide variety of custom products. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #plugs

Kirk Fennel from Wandfluh of America is today's guest on iVT Bites. Exhibiting at iVT for the second time, listen to learn more about the iVT experience. Kirk also walks through some of Wandfluh of America's exhibit, with a focus on quality valves, electronics manufacturing, and a electronic amplifier for solenoids. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #valves

Today's iVT Bite features Jason Looman and Andy Gray from Scanreco. This is Scanreco's first year exhibiting at this event, join us to learn more about their iVT experience and things they are looking forward to. They also provide more information on their displays and how they improve the lives and efficiency of machine operators. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #displays

Ryan Mulvaney from Cim-Tek Filtration is our iVT Bite guest today. This is Cim-Tek's first year visiting the event, and they share the reasons they came out and their excitement to see the show. He also describes some of his company's products, services, and the associated applications. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #filtration

Joining us for this iVT Bite is Aaron Piper from Hydraulic Controls. This is his company's first year exhibiting at this event. Listen to Aaron explain why his company committed this year. Additionally, he walks through his company's booth, focusing on a custom vehicle demonstrating a wide range of Hydraulic Controls' product lines. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #hydraulics

Adam Livesay is joining for this iVT Bite. Another founding member, Adam talks about the growth of iVT over time, and what sets it apart from other trade shows. He also describes his company's focus on bringing together partners from across roles and industries to create the best possible digital services outcomes. #iVTexpo #fluidpowerforum #iot

On this iVT Bite, is Ken Baker from Bailey International; Bailey International is a founding participant in iVT Expo, and is excited to talk about the growth of this event, and everything his company has gained from attending. Bailey International's booth showcased a wide variety of components, and expansion into on-highway vehicles. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #fluidpowerforum

Greg Shtrahman from Marzocchi Pumps took the time to join us for our second iVT Bite. Marzocchi Pumps is a proud first-time exhibitor at the show and is excited for all the networking and marketing opportunities including through participation. Take a listen to learn more about their experience, as well as Marzocchi's silent pumps and internal compensation systems. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #fluidpowerforum

We are excited to begin our showcase of the 2025 iVT Off-Highway Vehicle Technology Expo, a series of mini-episodes, or "bites," featuring visitors and exhibitors at the trade show. Join us to learn more about the iVT experience, participating companies, and everything you have to gain from attending this event. Joining us on our first iVT Bite is John Carmichael from Enovation controls. A regular participant at iVT Expo, Enovation Controls takes full advantage of this event. Join us to learn why iVT Expo is a "fluid power reunion," as well as more about his company's advanced displays and controllers. #iVTexpo #fluidpower #fluidpowerforum

On today's show, our guest is Adam Livesay from Elevāt. Adam is the founder of Elevāt; a company focused on IoT, and connecting the systems and machines across industrial sectors. He is a major contributor to these fields of innovation, and we are happy to have him back on the podcast to talk about new applications for the Fluid Power Industry. Join our conversation to learn more about these concepts, and how they are used in the Fluid Power Industry, as well as for OEMs. Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Adam Livesay, at adam@elevat-iot.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan, and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.

On today's show, our guests is Dr. James Van de Ven from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Van de Ven is a professor of Mechanical Engineering and has extensive experience with innovation in the Fluid Power Industry. Serving in a leadership role in the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP), he is here to discuss the launch of a new research consortium called the Center for Off-Highway Vehicle Powertrain Innovation (COVPI). Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at elanke@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Dr. James Van de Ven, at vandeven@umn.edu, or by phone at (612) 625-2499. To learn more about the Iowa State's Dynamometer, watch our podcast with Dr. Brian Steward here: Fluid Power Forum: Iowa State University's Power Partner Status Benefits Students and Industry Dr. Van de Ven's course, the Fundamentals of Fluid Power, is available on Coursera here:  Fundamentals of Fluid Power | Coursera