Fluid Power News Bites: Faster Enters Data Center Market and STLE Names New President
Welcome to Fluid Power News Bites, where I bring you a collection of recent news relevant to the hydraulics and pneumatics industry. Through the brief synopses contained in this piece I aim to help you stay on top of what is going on in the fluid power industry as well as other technological areas of interest that may aid your own work in a quick and easily digestible manner. Like what you see or have your own news to share? Email me at [email protected] to let me know!
Faster Enters Data Center Market
Faster S.r.l., a Helios Technologies Inc. operating company, is the latest fluid power company to enter the data center market. It has launched a collection of products for use in the next-generation thermal management systems used in these facilities.
Technologies in Faster’s data center portfolio support various cooling needs such as rack-level systems, cold plates, server blades, and coolant distribution units (CDUs). Products in the lineup include:
- UQD series quick disconnect couplings for general-purpose liquid cooling, typically used at the cold plate level. These couplings enable fast, secure, and dripless connections in high-density environments.
- UQDB series quick disconnect couplings extends the capabilities of the UQD to meet the cooling requirements of server blades, allowing easy installation and maintenance even in space-constrained configurations, with self-alignment and spill-free disconnection.
- LQC series large quick connectors are engineered for high-flow applications at the CDU level, supporting large-scale cooling loops with low pressure drop, robust locking mechanisms, and vibration-resistant design.
- FFC series flat-face couplings for clean, non-spill performance to avoid fluid loss and contamination risk while ensuring durability and consistent operation.
The company stated in the press release announcing its entry into the data center market that its years of experience developing fluid handling and connection systems will enable it to provide the thermal management solutions required in this market.
Thermal management is critical in data centers to keep the chips, servers and other technologies used in these facilities from overheating. Many data centers have moved to liquid cooling to meet their thermal management requirements. As they are essentially a fluid conveyance system, fluid power companies that develop hoses, pumps, fittings, and other fluid conveyance related components like Faster are finding opportunities in the data center market.
Watch Faster’s video below to see how its technologies are being used in data center thermal management systems.
Trelleborg Achieves Partner-Level Supplier Status with John Deere
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions was recently recognized by John Deere as a Partner-Level supplier in 2025, the OEM’s highest supplier rating. The company received the honor for its dedication to providing products and service of outstanding quality as well as its commitment to continuous improvement.
Trelleborg supplies John Deere with seals for various applications such as axles, transmissions, engines and hydraulic cylinders as well as aftermarket service kits.
Brett Randall, Strategic Account Manager responsible for Trelleborg’s account with John Deere, said in the company’s press release announcing the recognition not only reflects its dedication to customers like John Deere but also helps to open future opportunities and deepen its credibility with the equipment manufacturer.
Supplier awards like this help recognize the work hydraulic and pneumatic technology developers put not only into their products but also in ensuring they meet the needs of their customers.
STLE Names 2026-2027 President
The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) has appointed Steffen Bots, vice president of global sales and R&D at ADDINOL Lube Oil GmbH as its 2026-2027 president. He will serve a 1-year term starting May 19.
As STLE president, Bots will serve as the society's principal executive officer and chair of its board of directors. During his term he plans to place a focus on education, international representation, and OEM and lubricant consumer participation with STLE.
“Bots’ long-standing involvement with STLE and passion for advancing our mission make him uniquely positioned to lead STLE into an exciting new chapter. We are confident his presidency will strengthen STLE’s impact, expand our reach, and inspire continued innovation in the field,” said Rebecca Lintow, CAE, STLE executive director in the press release announcing the appointment of Bots as president.
Bots received his master of business administration and engineering degree from the Munich University of Applied Science. He has been an STLE member since 2010 and a volunteer since 2014.
“I am honored to serve as STLE president and deeply grateful for the trust the membership has placed in me,” said Bots. “STLE has been an integral part of my professional journey, and I look forward to working alongside our dedicated volunteers, members, and staff to advance the science of tribology and lubrication engineering, and to ensure our society remains a vital resource for professionals around the world.”
ABB Launches Magnet-Free Hyper-Efficiency Motor for Hazardous Locations
ABB has introduced an IE6 Hyper–Efficiency motor certified to ATEX and IECEx requirements, ensuring its safe use in hazardous environments. Known as the IE6 SynRM Increased safety motor, it is based on ABB’s magnet- and rare earth-free synchronous reluctance (SynRM) technology.
By not using magnets and rare earth materials, performance benefits including improved efficiency and reduced maintenance can be achieved while reducing reliance on materials that are energy intensive to extract, among other challenges associated with rare earths.
According to ABB, its IE6 SynRM Increased safety motor offers up to 60% lower energy losses than the IE3 induction motors commonly used in Zone 1 and 2 environments. This can lead to significant energy efficiency gains for industrial applications where gas, vapor or dust might be present, such as chemicals, marine, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals and food & beverage.
IE6 Hyper-Efficiency motors are expected to be the next efficiency rating classification from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The commission developed these ratings to help create a standard method of categorizing motor efficiency ratings. Motors are currently rated from IE1 to IE5, with IE5 motors offering the highest level of efficiency.
Companies like ABB understand that energy efficiency and sustainability are important to many of their customers, the former especially as energy costs continue to rise.
ABB’s IE6 SynRM Increased safety motor is certified for use with variable speed drives (VSDs), suiting use as an upgrade for standard IE3 induction motors in pumps, fans and compressors. The motor covers ratings up to 110 kW.
Registration Opens for iVT Expo USA
Registration is officially open for iVT Expo USA, taking place August 19 and 20, 2026, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. This annual event is a conference and tradeshow geared toward engineers and others developing off-highway machinery.
The event typically brings together those working at OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and others involved in the development of construction equipment, agricultural machinery and more.
A 2-day hydraulics technology conference will be hosted by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) once again at this year’s event. Sessions will highlight the various development areas within the hydraulics industry for off-highway equipment applications — a key market segment for the fluid power sector.
NFPA is also encouraging members to exhibit at the event and thus have the opportunity to reach engineers attending who may be interested in their technologies.
This event continues to grow with each addition, and the addition of NFPA as a conference partner has helped to make it a must-attend for those in the fluid power industry serving the off-highway vehicle market.
About the Author
Sara Jensen
Executive Editor, Power & Motion
Sara Jensen is executive editor of Power & Motion, directing expanded coverage into the modern fluid power space, as well as mechatronic and smart technologies. She has over 15 years of publishing experience. Prior to Power & Motion she spent 11 years with a trade publication for engineers of heavy-duty equipment, the last 3 of which were as the editor and brand lead. Over the course of her time in the B2B industry, Sara has gained an extensive knowledge of various heavy-duty equipment industries — including construction, agriculture, mining and on-road trucks —along with the systems and market trends which impact them such as fluid power and electronic motion control technologies.
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