Odds are for the best IFPE yet

Every three years the fluid-power community convenes in Las Vegas for the IFPE show, conference and related events. IFPE 2014 — International Exposition for Power Transmission is set to be the largest yet. The exposition and technical conference highlights fluid power, power transmission, and motion control. There isn’t another show in North America that brings together so many sectors of the fluid power industry.

Once again, IFPE will be colocated with ConExpo/ConAgg, one of North America’s largest construction equipment trade shows. Both events will be held March 4-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Education spotlight

Education is a key component of IFPE and this year there’s a lot on offer. More than 100 educational sessions will be held at the IFPE Technical Conference, with topics ranging from new technologies, best practices, and the latest in research and development. Conference tickets are $85 and include admission to all technical presentations, two keynote presentations, a flash drive with the conference proceedings, and certificates for continuing education.

Two keynote presentations are scheduled for the conference. On Wednesday, Lonnie Love, Ph.D., Group Leader of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Automation, Robotics and Manufacturing Group, is presenting on Energy Consumption in Fluid Power, where the discussion will focus on energy savings, emerging trends in manufacturing, and workforce development. Thursday, Ken Gray, Global Product Manager at Caterpillar Inc., is presenting the story behind the Hydraulic Hybrid Excavator from Caterpillar. 

Four college-level courses will also be offered. Each course is half-a-day, and after completion, certificates for continuing education are available. Attendees have a chance to complete classes on Fluid Power Systems; Sizing a Hydrostatic Transmission Using Calculations; Condition Monitoring of Hydraulic Fluids; and Design of Hybrid Systems.

The ConExpo/ConAgg will also offer a comprehensive education program with sessions emphasizing industry issues and trends, management, and applied technologies. There are 10 program tracks to help attendees locate topics of their greatest interest: aggregates, asphalt, business management, concrete, crane and rigging, earthmoving and site development, equipment management and maintenance, recycling and preservation, safety and regulations, and workforce development.

For attendees who can’t attend every session, ConExpo/ConAgg will record the education sessions, which will be available for purchase after the show.

Lots of ground to cover

More than 2,000 exhibitors taking over 2 million net sq ft of exhibit space will mean a lot of walking. More than 400 companies will be exhibiting at IFPE alone. This year’s events also feature navigational improvements to benefit everyone. A shuttle service, an enhanced mobile navigation app, and on-site guides will help move attendees through the showroom floor more efficiently.

Look for the five IFPE pavilions. Three international pavilions will showcase China, Taiwan, and Italy. Two additional pavilions highlight the Power Transmission Distributors Association and sensors. These pavilions are designed to provide a concentration of similar booths and bring together users and producers of components from all over the world together. Click here to view an interactive map of the IFPE floor plan.

Free fluid power seminars

New this year, Hydraulics & Pneumatics has organized a series of free fluid power seminars. The series will give attendees a better understanding of the operation and maintenance of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Twelve sessions are included in the series with topics such as best practices, environmental impacts, mobile hydraulics, troubleshooting, and more.

One registration covers entrance to all exhibits at IFPE and ConExpo/ConAgg. Register at www.ifpe.com. Attendees can use the site’s interactive “show planner,” which includes show maps that are searchable by hall/lot location, booth number, company name, and type of product. The show planner will also be available as a free smartphone mobile application.

Refer to our December 2013 and January 2014 issues for complete education topics, schedules, and details.