MMET Students Win 2021 NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge
Earlier this month, a team of students from Michigan Tech were declared the overall champions of the 2021 National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) Vehicle Challenge. The contest, dubbed “Hydraulics Meets the Bicycle,” combines human-powered vehicles along with fluid power and consists of three races — sprint, endurance and efficiency.
The winning team included John Kurburski, Andrew Ward, Alexander Provoast and Jake Lehmann, all students in Michigan Tech’s Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology. Competing with 22 schools from all over the country, they placed first in efficiency, second in endurance and third in the sprint race. After the race results, two design reviews, conference participation and a final presentation, they were awarded the 2021 championship.
The team powered their bike using a hydraulic circuit — transferring pedal power through a hydraulic pump and motor to drive the rear wheel. MMET senior lecturer David Wanless advised the team. MMET lecturer Kevin Johnson also contributed to the students' understanding of pneumatic and hydraulic circuits in his fluid power class.
The challenge is hosted each year by Norgren, a respected world leader in motion control and fluid technology based in Littleton, Colo. This year, the competition was expanded into two separate virtual competitions, hosted by Norgren and Danfoss Power Solutions, to reach a wide range of students and industry members all over the country.
Read more on the blog post.