After three years of waiting, it’s show time!
The 2020 International Fluid Power Exposition is co-located with the CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction equipment show at the Las Vegas Convention Center on March 10-14. This event brings together the largest collection of fluid power experts and practitioners in North America.
The anticipation around IFPE is driven in part by triennial timing, but in 2020 the attraction is an expanded array of innovative products and insightful educational sessions. IFPE is owned by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
More than 400 exhibitors will fill the trade show hall for IFPE 2020, and the CONEXPO will fill not only the convention center, but also the parking lot outside. From motion control to hoses and from vehicles to machine tools, IFPE provides the industry with a place to gather, learn, and celebrate.
“AEM and the National Fluid Power Association are proud to bring together a unique combination of engineers and executives at IFPE 2020, both in booths and in aisles, to share ideas, educate one another, and ultimately shape the future of the construction industry through collaboration and consensus,” said John Rozum, director of ag events at AEM, and IFPE show director. “There’s simply no better place for engineers to find new ideas, new people and new solutions to significant organizational challenges than a trade show floor.”
Education will be an important component of this year’s IFPE. The IFPE Research Symposium is three lunch-and-learn sessions hosted by the National Fluid Power Association. Sessions include:
- Wed., March 11; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Individual Electro-Hydraulic Actuators for Off Road Machines, presented by Andrea Vacca, Purdue University
- Thurs., March 12; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Efficient, Compact, and Smooth Variable Propulsion Motor, presented by James Van de Ven, University of Minnesota
- Fri., March 13; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Hybrid Hydraulic-Electric Architecture for Mobile Machines, presented by Perry Li, University of Minnesota
“IFPE education is always a fantastic experience for the attendees, but with the addition of the college course sessions, it becomes a vitally important aspect to the show,” said Dr. Medhat Khalil from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in a press release. “This added dimension of fluid power education will benefit the attendees with the broad range of crucial information it provides.”
Four more half-day college-styled courses will focus on hands-on industry training for hydraulics in mobile equipment. Subject areas include:
- Fundamentals of hydraulic systems 101;
- Fundamentals of hydraulic systems 201;
- Hydraulic fluid properties, efficiency and contamination control;
- Digital design.
"The IFPE show is truly a one stop shop for hydraulic education and technology,” said Ralph M. of JBT Aerotech, in a show press release. “This is a unique show that gives tools to fluid power engineers to design efficient value oriented hydraulic systems. This is a priceless event."
Fun and Networking
Two significant events take place Wed., March 11. Starting at 2 p.m. Machine Design will host an ice cream event at its booth, S80160. The event will allow readers to meet with editors and discuss key industry issues that will be featured in future issues of the magazine and online.
From ice cream, IFPE attendees will move right to the Fluid Power Hour, sponsored by the National Fluid Power Association and presented by Bosch Rexroth. Held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the IFPE show floor, the event includes a bonus hour on the IFPE show floor, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails and entertainment.
Other sponsors of the Fluid Power Hour are Comer Industries, DANA, Danfoss, Eaton, Nachi, HAWE Hydraulik, Poclain Hydraulics, and Sun Hydraulics .
“We encourage all exhibitors to bring their top engineers and executives to take advantage of a great networking experience and interact with industry peers,” said Rozum.
While the fluid power industry will focus on IFPE, don’t overlook CONEXPO. It brings together nearly 3,000 exhibitors and covers 2.5 million sq ft of indoor and outdoor exhibit space.
Show at a Glance
SHOW NAME: The International Fluid Power Exposition. IFPE is the leading international exposition and educational resource dedicated to the integration of fluid power with other technologies for power transmission and motion control applications.
DATES: IFPE 2020 and CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE 2020 will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Festival Grounds from March 10-14, 2020.
HOURS: Tues., March 10: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., March 11: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs., March 12: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri., March 13: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., March 14: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
ATTENDEES: IFPE attracts design engineers and other decision-makers from these industries:
- Off-Highway Vehicles (includes Construction, Mining, Forestry, Agriculture, Lawn & Garden, and Airport Support vehicles)
- Fluid Power/Power Transmission Products, Electrical Machinery, Instruments/Controls
- Distribution
- Material Handling (includes overhead/straddle cranes, industrial trucks, tractors, and stackers)
- Manufacturing/Production Automation/Machine Tools (includes chemical, petroleum, metal, plastics, and rubber processing)
- Automotive/Commercial Vehicles (includes Class 8 trucks, vocational trucks, and trucks for other applications)
- Engineering Services
- Defense/Aerospace
- Amusement/Entertainment Technology
EXHIBITS: IFPE exhibits showcase the latest technologies and innovations in equipment, products and services for fluid power/motion control/power transmission. The show also features product-focused exhibit pavilions and international exhibit pavilions.
EDUCATION: IFPE features targeted education events that provide crucial information on new fluid power, power transmission and motion control technologies to engineers and others involved in the design and manufacturing process.
SHOW OWNERS AND PRODUCER: IFPE is owned by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). AEM is show producer.