NCAT Expands Fluid Power Education with New NFPA-Supported Course

Students at North Carolina A&T State University now have a new opportunity to build fluid power knowledge through “Introduction to Fluid Power Systems,” a 3-credit course made possible by a grant from the NFPA Education and Technology Foundation. Dr. Paul Akangah developed the syllabus, course materials, and lab exercises.

The course gives students a strong foundation in fluid power fundamentals, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, component selection, system design, analysis, and automation. It covers seven of the core competencies identified by NFPA member companies:

• Understand fluid power benefits and limitations

• Conceptual and theoretical understanding of fluid power laws and principles (including energy transfer and power efficiency)
• Understand fluid power components and circuits
• Understand the impact of fluid properties, i.e., fluid viscosity, on fluid power system efficiency and performance.
• Understand machine level requirements and translate into fluid power system requirements
• Apply design, simulation and analysis tools to fluid power components and systems
• Cite hands-on experience with fluid power components and systems

This effort builds on NFPA’s strong partnership with Dr. Akangah and NCAT, one of NFPA’s Power Partner Universities. Dr. Akangah also advises the campus Fluid Power Club and Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge team, helping students connect classroom learning with hands-on experience.

The impact of the course will extend beyond NCAT. Materials are available free of charge to schools nationwide through the Fluid Power Curriculum page on the NFPA website.

Looking ahead, Dr. Akangah hopes to establish a Fluid Power Concentration at NCAT, with four or five courses including Fluid Power Control and Industrial Communications Systems.

NFPA has also helped to connect member companies with the NCAT team to support the development of their fluid power lab. We are grateful to the members who have invested in NCAT students and the future fluid power workforce. To support the next phase of the Fluid Power Concentration, contact Mary Pluta at mpluta@nfpa.com.