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Pictures from the Competition
 

The Chapter 5 – 2007 Fluid Power Society’s Skills Competition

IFPS and FPEF Supports Annual Fluid Power Skills Competition, Showcasing the “Best of the Best” Among Minnesota Technical Colleges 

The Minnesota Fluid Power Skills Competition is an exciting challenge for our students. Chapter 5 of the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) has supported this competition for nearly two decades now, in which the top six students from each of the four Minnesota Technical Colleges that provide Fluid Power programs meet to determine the “best of the best.”  

The MFPSC consists of four distinct test sections: 

1. Heidi Kloskin, from Parker Hydraulic Cartridge Systems Division, judged the Fitting Identification Section, where the contestants are required to describe 25 commonly-used fittings (donated by Parker Hannifin).  
    

2. Competition judge Randy Meyer from John Henry Foster designed the Special Project, specifying actuation requirements of the completed project. The contestants must select required components, draw the project schematic, and assemble the project. Then their presentation skills are tested as they explain and demonstrate complete functionality of their design to Mr. Meyer.
    

3. Bryan Anderson of Parker Oildyne proctors the written test, which is excellent preparation for the IFPS Specialist Certification tests.
    

4. And perhaps the most difficult section for many of the contestants is the Troubleshooting portion. Here, “customers” (competition judges Scott Aldridge from Power Systems, and Wayne Walker of SunSource) are having trouble with their hydraulic equipment. “It just doesn’t work!” is the most commonly heard complaint by the contestant in this actual face-to-face encounter. The contestants are put on the spot and must think on their feet to troubleshoot and correct their “customers’” hydraulic system.

The 2007 Skills Competition Host College was Hennepin Technical College – Brooklyn Park, represented by Greg Crowley and Bill Martin. While the contestants toured the campus following the Skills Competition, behind the scenes the much-awaited results were being compiled in preparation for the Fluid Power Society Education and Awards Meeting.

IFPS Chapter 5 President Rod Ericson of Eaton Hydraulics chaired the evening meeting. After congratulating all the exceptional contestants on their completion of the Skills Competition and welcoming Chapter members from industry and the academic guests, a special random drawing for Craftsman Mechanic tool boxes were given away to one lucky contestant from each of the four schools. This special drawing was organized by Mr. Martin and generously donated by Joe Marchese of W.P. & R.S. Mars Company and Robert Kahlmeyer of Danaher Tool Group. 

Mr. Jerry Gardner, V. P. of Asset Management for Force America gave a motivational presentation to the group, touching on the importance of the contestants’ education now and in the future, focusing on professionalism in the Fluid Power industry and the benefits of and importance of membership in our professional societies, and the need to continue giving back to our industry and communities whenever possible. 

Every year one student from each of college is selected as the Outstanding Student for the year. This year’s recipients were awarded certificates and Scholarships from their instructor. The 2007 Outstanding students were: 

• Jamis Winzenburg, for Alexandria Technical College

• Brian Walker, for Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie

• Cory Zwilling, for Minnesota West, Granite Falls Technical College

• James Davern, for Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park

The Skills Competitions’ top five contestants receive Competition Plaques. Scholarships are also presented as follows: $200 to 3^rd place, $400 to 2^nd place and 1^st place receives $600. The 2007 Fluid Power Skills Competition Award recipients: 

• 5^th Place: Ryan Proell, Hennepin Technical College – Brooklyn Park

• 4^th Place: Troy Robins, Hennepin Technical College – Brooklyn Park

• 3^rd Place: Anthony Klisch, Alexandria Technical College

• 2^nd Place: Nate Goblish, MN West Technical College Granite Falls

• 1^st Place: Cory Zwilling, MN West Technical College Granite Falls

A very special thank you goes to the Fluid Power Education Foundation for its continued generosity and financial support. This competition is so important in assisting our future Fluid Power Specialists enter into their careers with a well-rounded educational foundation.

We are looking forward to next year’s Skills Competition, to be hosted by Todd Zarbok & Rob Auel at Alexandria Technical College.            

Jeannine Uehling 
Fluid Power Skills Competition, Organizer
Fluid Power Society – Chapter 5