Komatsu Mining Corp. will host their third NFPA Fluid Power Action Challenge Day in Franklin, PA on May 10th, 2022, with 9 school districts in the area participating. Teams comprise of 4 middle school students working on modeling a device that includes a rotating, lifting, and extending component. This model, made of basic materials, syringes and tubing must lift a dowel and set it onto 3 stepped platforms to score points. The team with the most overall points at the end of the challenge takes 1st place. Along with providing a fun and interactive learning experience to the participants, Komatsu provides an opportunity for young students to learn more about fluid power, science and engineering.

“Supporting the development of next generation’s leaders in the industry is very important to Famic Technologies. We salute Komatsu's initiative in this regard and wish this event many more editions, which peaks interest and highlights the talent of tomorrow's engineers”, says Charbel Nasr, President of Famic Technologies Inc.

To learn more about Komatsu Mining Corp.’s NFPA Fluid Power Action Challenge, please take a look at this video from their 2019 (pre-Covid) event: Fluid Power Challenge 2019 offers STEM experience

About:

Famic Technologies Inc.

Based in Montreal, Canada, with branches in Germany and India, Famic Technologies is leading the industry since 1986 by providing world-class trade-oriented software solutions in the fields of fluid power, electrical engineering, industrial automation, and custom software development. Namely, Automation Studio™, an innovative system design and simulation software used for training, maintenance, validation, and troubleshooting of multi-technology circuits, Automation Studio™ Live Manifold for hydraulic manifold design, quoting, and prototyping, and Andon Studio™, for Industry 4.0 and process management optimization. With quality and performance driving decisions, Famic Technologies has become internationally recognized and sought out for its expertise, knowledge, innovation, and leadership.

Automation Studio^TM

Automation Studio™ is a unique software covering all project/machine technologies including hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical, and automation. It is used by the different departments throughout an organization for system design, simulation and validation, training, maintenance, troubleshooting, technical publications, project documentation, and sales support.

Komatsu

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu facilities, distributors and dealers are in more than 140 countries and directly employ more than 60,000 people. For more than 100 years, the companies that power society and develop the world’s infrastructure have relied on Komatsu to empower them. Through manufacturing, technology and service innovation with a reputation for dantotsu quality, reliability, insights and support, they work as partners to create lasting value for their business. Komatsu provides essential equipment, technologies and services for the construction, mining, forest, energy and manufacturing industries. Their global service and distributor network support customer operations using the power of data and technology to help enhance safety, productivity and performance. Komatsu Mining Corp. supplies equipment under the Joy®, P&H® and Montabert® brands for surface, underground soft rock and underground hard rock mining applications throughout the world.

Komatsu Mining Corp.’s NFPA Fluid Power Action Challenge

After 2 years of cancellation because of Covid, the 3rd Fluid Power Action Challenge started with a Workshop Day that was held in Franklin, PA on March 29th, 2022, welcoming 15 teams of 7th and 8th grade students who learned about fluid power, the importance of safety and how to use various hand tools.

Going away with an identical tool kit, a take-away kit of materials and instructions on what is required of their model and how to score points in the various categories, the 15 teams will return on May 10th with only their tools and two copies of a portfolio detailing a build plan. They will then have limited time to rebuild their model from scratch using only a copy of their portfolio, their tool kit and a new kit of materials that Komatsu Mining Corp. provides to them.

Throughout the day, the teams will be judged with points being scored in various categories like interview questions, portfolio content, model building skills, points earned in a 2-minute timed competition, etc. The team with the highest overall points score is crowned Grand Champion. They receive the largest trophy, a $250 Amazon gift card for their school and one year access to Automation Studio™ Educational Edition software hosted on Famic license server, including a 2-hour online training and 1 year of maintenance & technical support, as provided by Famic Technologies Inc. Swag bags filled with Komatsu and sponsor merchandise will also be given to each student and teacher.