Fluid Power Journal

Notable Words

Increase Your Professional Value with Online Training

By Kristine Coblitz, Editor, Fluid Power Journal The digital revolution is changing the way we do business. Time-management apps help us to productively and …

Improve your Marketability with the IFPS

Not long ago I found myself looking for a career change within the fluid power industry, and it was at that time I truly realized the value of my involvement …

Dangerous Goods Regulations Updated to Reflect 2017-2018 ICAO Technical Instructions

Businesses need and want predictability—particularly when it comes to government regulations. So the fact that the International Civil Aviation Organization …

Advanced Products and Game-Changing Engineering are Trending for Fluid Power Pros

The NFPA released a November 2016 survey on the “State of the Fluid Power Industry.” The study notes that distributors see annual shipments for their …

Rethinking Hydraulic Safety

According to the International Hydraulic Safety Authority (IHSA), hydraulics and electricity are both forms of transmitting energy, and most often hydraulics …

Owning the Future

Leadership roles are often defined by the time an individual uses to plan their actions: a worker is concerned with what they have to do for one day, the …

Hydraulics in the Entertainment Industry Present an Interesting, Challenging Career Opportunity

By Mark Castle, Head of Automation KÀ at MGM Hotel and Casino During my career in the entertainment business, I have had the opportunity to design, build, …

Innovation is the Key to Progress

I have heard many engineers complain that industry is too timid when it comes to innovation. Incremental improvements are pursued while major opportunities for …

Energy Efficient Hydraulics & Pneumatics Conference Returns in 2017

Efficient consumption of energy is one of the key concerns around the world today. In fact, my local power company regularly prepares a report so I know how my …

Upgraded Electronic Controls Specialist Certification Elevates Fluid Power Competency

By Donna Pollander, ACA, IFPS Executive Director The IFPS strives to keep pace with changing fluid power and motion control technologies, and the development …

More Women Engineers Needed to Help Fill 1.7 Million Jobs

Compiled by staff members at Proportion-Air, Inc. With projections showing the industry will need 1.7 million more engineers and computing professionals to …

Making a Difference

Ever know one of those kids who made a mistake he or she didn’t recover from?  Someone you knew or loved who blindly got caught up in things by making bad …

Increasing Awareness of IFPS Membership and Certification

Marketing and sales has always been at the center of my career. Speaking with prospects, learning of their needs, and presenting solutions based on those …

Watts It All About

It began well before 1994, but an event from that spring stands out as a turning point in my understanding of the need for energy awareness when designing or …

How to Make a Positive Impact in 2016

Now that the holiday rush has ended, we settle into the New Year and brace ourselves for the onslaught of winter. It is now, when the hustle and bustle is …

The Wolf at the Door

Here we go – another year and another IFPS president. And that is a good thing. The many new members serving on the Board of Directors bring new perspective …

Shrinking The Skills Gap: Why Manufacturing Day Matters

Over the next decade, it is estimated that nearly 3.5 million U.S. manufacturing jobs will be needed, and 2 million of those jobs are expected to go unfilled …

25 Years Strong in Promoting Certification and Industry Training

I was very saddened by the death of my good friend Ray Hanley, who passed away May 30 of this year. I got my first certification in 1987 and was introduced to …

CCEFP Forms A Stronger Partnership with Industry

It’s hard to believe that the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP) is in its tenth year. It’s been a decade of rapid growth, and CCEFP is …

“Those Who Can, Do. Those Who Can Do More, Volunteer.”

When I was asked to write the Notable Words column for this issue of the Journal, I sat awhile trying to determine on which subject I should write. That lead …

NFPA Career Connections – Making A Difference in Tomorrow’s Workforce

Price Engineering. Thirty high school students. A tour. Fluid power classroom kits. Sharing. An internship. What does all this equal? The new NFPA Student …

An Emerging Workforce Crisis for U.S. Manufacturers

A sound recruitment strategy can help small- and mid-sized manufacturers stay competitive in the hunt for talent Manufacturing companies across the country are …

Fluid Power Mobile Technology – Past Achievements and Future Opportunities

Since this is the off-highway issue, it seems like a good time to reflect on the advances made in the mobile industry over the last 46 years and two …

IFPS Membership – What Do You Make of It?

I am sometimes questioned about the IFPS logo on my shirt. Once I was asked if it was a symbol for some type of “secret society.” This gave me a chuckle …

IFPS Certification is a Bright Idea

Have you ever wondered what happens when you flip on a light switch? Fluid power might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but electricity suppliers and …