MSOE's Fluid Power Institute set to celebrate 50 years

June 4, 2012
The Fluid Power Institute at Milwaukee School of Engineering will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, with a special event on July 12.

Just got word the other day that The Fluid Power Institute (FPI) at Milwaukee School of Engineering is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. I won't be able to attend the festivities but it looks like they have a great day planned on July 12, full of speaker presentations and some much-deserved awards for some of the long-time staff there. I've been to the FPI twice in my career here at H&P, once on a short tour and the other time for a week-long Basic Hydraulics course, so I can honestly say, it's a top-notch institution.

For example, Thomas S. Wanke, director of the Fluid Power Institute, will receive the first ever MSOE Fluid Power Achievement Award during the anniversary dinner. We know Tom well here at H&P, as he's been one of our technical presenters at our Fluid Power Conference & Expo on several occasions. He's done a great job at the FPI so I'm glad to hear he'll be receiving such recognition.

In addition, presentations will be given by several industry leaders, including:

 ·        Hans Haefeli, V.P., Advanced Components and Systems Division of Caterpillar Inc., as the keynote speaker.

·        Matthew Blieske, director of systems development, General Compression

·        R. Edwin Howe, president, Enfield Technologies

·        Jeff Insch, senior product Manager, Olmsted Products Group, Oilgear

·        Kim Stelson, director, Engineering Research Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power

·        Eric Lanke, CEO, National Fluid Power Association

·        John E. Duncan, president, Off-Road Driveline Technology & Axel Systems at ZF Inc.

·        Douglas R. Oberhelman, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc.

FPI conducts research and testing for some of the largest hydraulic companies including Parker Hannifin, Caterpillar Inc., John Deere and others, as well as system evaluations for the U.S. military. FPI’s on-campus 2,400 square-foot Fluid Power Research Laboratory has the capacity and horsepower to operate a wide variety of hydraulic components under high-pressure and flow conditions. It has specialized equipment for pump, valve, motor, cylinder and filter testing. In 2012 FPI opened an off-site facility in the Chase Commerce Center on the south side of Milwaukee. It features 8,800 square feet of open space, a 21-foot ceiling and large overheard crane capacity for evaluation of large components, systems and complete machines.

Visit MSOE for more details.

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