Fluid Power Forum

Fluid Power Forum host Eric Lanke interviews Jeremy Rideout, senior application engineer at Gates Corporation. Gates was a key contributor to the NFPA's whitepaper, Preventing Leaks in Fluid Power Systems, about a system-level, life-cycle approach to leak prevention.   Rideout explains why leaks drive warranty costs, downtime, dissatisfaction, and revenue loss, and emphasizes that leak performance is largely set by early design decisions using the STAMPED requirements framework (Size, Temperature, Application, Material, Pressure, Ends, Delivery).   He highlights best practices in hydraulics and sealing, including proper hose routing and clamping, minimizing connections, avoiding mixing hose and couplings across vendors, designing for accessibility and serviceability, controlling contamination during assembly with standard cleaning and inspection metrics, and using trained, standardized processes. He stresses preventive maintenance and routine inspections, and notes future improvements from quick-connect systems, material science advances, and supplier collaboration.   Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio.   Read the full whitepaper at the NFPA Technology Reports website.   Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at [email protected].   Connect with experts at Gates Corporation, at [email protected].   Learn more about Gates Corporation 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.

At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Greg Shtrahman of Marzocchi Pumps about trends at iVT, including hybrid technology, electric drive systems, integration, and sensors, and how they can pair with hydraulic pumps. Shtrahman highlights Marzocchi's vertically integrated manufacturing of hydraulic gear pumps, gear motors, helical gear pumps, and micro pumps, emphasizing helical technology as a driver for electrification due to low noise (about 40 dB or less), dual compensation, low-RPM high-efficiency performance (90%+ volumetric efficiency), and new four-quadrant bidirectional capability. He explains how reversible helical pumps and motors with VFD control can reduce reliance on proportional valves and pressure-compensated piston pumps, with key off-highway applications such as battery-powered waste management trucks, mobile equipment, and material handling. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at [email protected]. Connect with our guest, Greg Shtrahman, at [email protected]. Learn more about Marzocchi Pumps at marzocchipompe.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.

  At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Bruno Dupuis of Famic Technologies about innovations in electro-hydraulic systems and how new components can be modeled in Automation Studio to support digital twins. Dupuis explains that Famic has over 35 years of software development experience and showcases Automation Studio, a CAD and simulation platform for hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical, and automation. The software enables real-time system simulation and analysis of pressures, flows, temperature, voltage, current, and energy consumption for prototyping, training, and troubleshooting. He highlights Automation Studio version 10 features including a new 3D mechanism for simulating external forces on linear and rotary actuators, plus wire harness schematics and fluid connection diagrams, with more information and demos available at famictech.com. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at [email protected]. Connect with our guest, Bruno Dupuis, at [email protected]. Learn more about Famic Technologies at famictech.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.

Host Eric Lanke interviews Jim Diehl and Chris Parisse of Bosch Rexroth about a decentralized hydraulic drive solution showcased in an animatronic dinosaur exhibit at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.   Replacing an older gear-pump/servo-valve/PLC dinosaur, the new eight-foot "T‑Rexroth" uses four color-coded, interactive axes with visible components and lighting to teach hydraulics while operating quietly, compactly, and with easy maintenance. The system uses a CytroPac hydraulic power unit with variable-speed drive and individual motor-pump groups near each actuator to reduce noise, simplify architecture, and limit failure points. Advanced sensors, closed-loop motion control, and remote monitoring track pressures, temperature, strokes, and fluid cleanliness for reliability and troubleshooting.   They note broader applications in pressing and testing for quieter, energy-efficient, space-saving machines with improved repeatability in a digital age.   Subscribe to the Fluid Power Forum today to never miss an episode. The podcast is available on all of your favorite podcast platforms, including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio.   Connect with our host, Eric Lanke, at [email protected].   Connect with our guests, Jim Diehl ([email protected]) and Chris Parisse ([email protected]). See the Da Vinci Center Dinosaur in action 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 #dinosaurs #advancedsensors #childproof #onlyfluidpowercan

At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, guest host Ben Brown interviews Scott Mason of FluiDyne Fluid Power about a busy show and the continued shift toward electrified hydraulics with precise electronic position and feedback control. Mason highlights FluiDyne's booth display of hydraulic components including piston, vane, and gear pumps, directional control valves, and hydraulic motors. He emphasizes FluiDyne's ability to respond quickly to customer needs by building required pump configurations from stocked parts, reducing typical 16–20 week lead times to turnaround in days, supported by friendly service. FluiDyne also offers just-in-time inventory, stocking ongoing customer products and acting as a dedicated warehouse to maintain availability for fast delivery. Listeners can learn more at fluidynefp.com. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at [email protected]. Connect with our guest, Scott Mason, at [email protected]. Learn more about FluiDyne Fluid Power at fluidynefp.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.