Testimonials

This page collects some comments from former students about the teaching of Fluid Power at the Politecnico di Torino. New contributions are welcome.

“I attended the Fluid Power course at the Polytechnic of Turin in 1997. It was one of the most complete courses, in which the theoretical part, such as the study of both hydraulic components and systems, and the practical part, such as the laboratories and the numerical modelling of the systems, really gave me a full training. I was so enthusiastic about the course, that after the exam I decided to develop my thesis work in the field of hydraulics. This started my professional career.”

Antonio Lettini, Group R&D Manager, Casappa SpA, Lemignano di Collecchio (PR), Italy - 2021

  

“Fluid power is an essential technology in many fields of industry. Since every mechanical engineer needs a good grasp of the basics, the courses offered by the Politecnico di Torino are an excellent starting point. I took those classes a few years ago; still today, I consider them top-notch courses. Their structure is unique and has been optimized over time to combine in the best possible way theoretical explanations, technological transfer from the most recent research publications, and practice in terms of experimental work on dedicated test-rigs as well as hands-on training on real components. Enrolling in these courses is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with fluid power and, hopefully, start your career within this field!”

Damiano Padovani, Assistant Professor, Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Guangdong, China - 2021
  

“I graduated in 2003 at the Politecnico di Torino doing my thesis at the FPRL. I think that the Fluid Power course was the most interesting of all those followed in the study programme: for the quality of the theoretical and practical teachings, for the didactic material used and for the experiences in the laboratories, it would deserve to be part of the curriculum of each future mechanical and energy engineer. I am sure that all students who attend this course will have a significant enrichment of theoretical and practical knowledge, also useful for their future work.”

Alessandro Roccatello, Teacher at Galilei Ferrari school, Torino, Italy - 2021

“The fluid power coursers taught at the Politecnico di Torino provide an excellent overview of the topic both from a theoretical and practical point of view. These should be part of each engineer that see is future in mobile or industrial field. Both components and systems are analyzed in detail with a focus on real applications. The courses are supported by the active research that the Fluid power Research Laboratory is conducting, making them up to date on the current technologies. I consider the courses some of the most interesting during my studies.”

Gabriele Altare, Senior Engineering, Manitowoc Crane Group Italy S.r.l., Niella Tanaro (CN), Italy - 2021
  

"The Fluid Power course at the Politecnico di Torino is the most enriching class during all my educational and furtherly professional career. It’s a perfect balance between theoretical fundamentals and hands-on sessions in a well-equipped Laboratory where experimental works meet the theory just presented in the class. At the end of the course, I was so motivated in continuing working in the field that I have started my Ph.D program at the Politecnico di Torino in the hydraulics domain. My learnings developed at that time are still useful today in my professional life. Indeed I have realized over years that despite of the sometimes strong technology changes, the Fluid Power course has provided the right methodology to understand the new directions of innovation."

Francesca Furno, Application Specialist, Siemens Digital Industry Software, Lyon, France - 2021

“I attended the Fluid Power courses at the Politecnico di Torino in 2011 and 2012 and I still remember the teachings, some of which I put into practice every day in the development of internal combustion engines. "A pump generates a flow rate, not a pressure; indeed, the pressure at the pump outlet is imposed by the load," Professor Nervegna and Professor Rundo used to say, and who could forget that? The Fluid Power courses at Politecnico di Torino contribute to the integration of basic thermodynamics knowledge by providing detailed descriptions of fluid power actuation and control, which are difficult to find in equivalent courses, even abroad. Hydraulic actuators, servo-valves, servo-mechanisms are at the basis of many engineering systems and their knowledge is a prerequisite to enter various working environments. The theoretical lectures, delivered with high-level materials with indispensable links to real industrial machinery, were supported by truly formative laboratory experiences. No course has been more useful to me in my work experience than these.”

Antonino Vacca, Project Leader - Engine Development, FKFS, Stuttgart, Germany - 2021

“I graduated in 2013, and so far I would like to assure you that Fluid Power course has been one of the few that have really enriched me. It is not a question of technical content, because during your degree you will find many technically valid courses, it is because of the methodology you will learn with this course. Only at the end, when you have the big picture in front of you, you will understand this is concerning more than automated system design. It is a question of logic, problem solving, diagnosis and functional synthesis. And you already know that you can apply all those skills wherever your career path will lead you. Due to that I truly want to encourage you to sign up.”

Matteo Operti, Pre-Study Segment Manager Commercial Vehicle & Smart Car, Stellantis, Torino, Italy - 2021

“The fluid power courses offered at Politecnico di Torino are excellently designed and provide a comprehensive learning experience including lectures and laboratory sessions. The fluid power laboratory includes a variety of cutting-edge didactic test rigs to help students develop problem-solving skills, as well as gain exposure to fluid power components and systems. As a mechanical engineering consultant, I apply the fluid power concepts learned in this course to a wide range of problems including, but not limited to, automotive, construction and mining, and industrial machinery applications.”

Emanuele Grossi, Mechanical Engineering Consultant, Exponent, Chicago, USA - 2021

"My experience with the Fluidpower course started back in 1997. While I was expecting to have good background in this matter, just from the first lesson I understood that my really knowledge was less than basic. The charm of Fluidpower, that mixes many technical topics between physic, structural integrity, fluid mechanics, thermodynamic, control systems and so on, hit my curiosity and opened to me a completely new world. It has been done possible also thanks to the contents and the passion shared during the course at the Politechnic of Turin. The rest is history: from student to worker in the Fluidpower laboratory, to thesis student and then the first job on modeling hydraulic systems. At today, it is more than 20 years that I have the pleasure and the satisfaction to design, setup, tune and calibrate hydraulic systems and components, and the best part is that there is no limit to new experience, even in applications combined with electronics. Fluidpower is present in our life more than what a normal person can imagine, and will continue in the future with new challenges because, if electronics can cover the control part, “the oil has the muscles to move any heavy load”."

Michele A. Pavanetto, Research Dept. Manager, Duplomatic Motion Solutions SpA, Parabiago (MI), Italy - 2021

"I attended the Fluid Power course in 2020, and I was amazed by the countermeasures adopted in order to provide a high-quality experience even through the pandemic. I chose this course aiming to complete my knowledge of the subject, coming from the Thermal and Hydraulic Machines course and the Thermal Propulsion course. I believe a solid knowledge in Fluid Power is essential for a mechanical engineer, given the wide range of application and the relevance of the matter. The competencies acquired through this course boosted my take on compressed-air systems when I approached those studies afterwards. Overall, the stature of the Fluid Power course is remarkable, and it is able to deliver a top of the range array of skills and knowhow on the topic."

Marta Provenza, Shift Manager Last Mile Operations AMZL, Amazon Italia Transport, Catania, Italy - 2021
  

"I guess a single representative word for the Fluid Power courses (I, II) is A-MAZE-ENG. When you get to take a first look at all those systems and valves and components you understand at a glance what huge a study effort was for those engineers to reach that impressive maze of passages in such small rooms. And to me this impact increased the awareness that being an engineer is to be an artist like Leonardo was. Indeed, some of the first man-made machines dealt with the power of water. Therefore, aside the founding core equations and properties tranferred to us students, Fluid Power courses taught me what being an engineer is."

Carlo A. Ferri, Project Engineer, APR S.r.l., Pinerolo (TO), Italy - 2021

“I attended the fluidpower course in 2005/2006. It was the first time for me as student to be so interested by a course. It opened my mind and my curiosity not only about the fluid power issues but also in my daily life. The questioning that must be had on each action and reaction came while attending and learning in fluidpower lessons!”

Pauline Monkam, Project Manager, Smile, Paris, France -2021

"I’m Mattia Pozzato, Sales Manager for the PSE group. Fluid Power is a logical way to investigate a natural behavior about a mechanical system. The approach you can get from the course you’ll apply for every field in your professional life. In my professional life I saw different sectors: from the automotive sector even to the foundry application and the plastic application. In every project the mindset and wiliness to understand “why such of phenomena are happening“ is a natural consequence for having participated to Fluid Power. I had the chance, thanks to prof. Nervegna to spend 8 months by BOSCH by developing a Hydrostatic Regenerative Brake System. Now this topic is extremely modern and thanks to the fluid power, I tasted this project 12 year ago. Fluid Power must be a mandatory step for your University Program. Trust me, if you are a real engineer, you'll really enjoy it. The program is really well-made by targeting to create and grew up your passion!"

Mattia Pozzato, Export Sales Manager, Precision Spring Europa SpA, Grezzago (MI), Italy - 2021

"I attended the Fluid Power courses at the Polytechnic of Turin in 2006 and 2007. This provided me the possibility to combine my passion on the agricultural/industrial equipment with a robust theorical and practical study of both hydraulic components and systems. I was so thrilled about the course, that after two exams I decided to develop my thesis work on an innovative load sensing system, spending all my effort to model and simulate alongside with Professor Nervegna. This started my professional career. My learnings developed at that time are still useful today since the Fluid Power course has provided me the right approach to understand complex systems. After 15 years, I’m really proud about my experience with Politecnico and Fluid Power group and I strongly suggest this course."

Massimo Valsania, VP Engineering, EthosEnergy, Torino, Italy - 2021

"Fluid Power was one of the most important classes I attended at Politecnico di Torino in 2012. It was a perfect mix of theoretical, logical and practical concepts and I was fascinated about the similitude between a hydraulic and an electric circuit. It’s incredible the number of applications where Hydraulic and Pneumatic machines are used and the understanding of the working principles of the circuit it’s always tricky but absolutely interesting. Now I am working as Product Manager for electronic components and I am grateful to be familiar with Power Fluid concepts, in order to fully understand customer’s systems and correctly apply and propose my products."

Dario Lucifora, Product Manager, ifm electronic srl, Agrate Brianza (MB), Italy - 2021

"I completed the Fluid Power course in 2014. Although I had a chance to work on hydraulic and pneumatic systems only for a small stint of my career so far, what I learnt on the course and how it was taught definitely made the difference. Fluid Power at Politecnico di Torino is a perfect balance between theoretical lessons and hands-on activities, which gives you an all-round knowledge of the principles of hydraulics and pneumatics. As a Mechanical Engineer, I soon found out that a basic understanding of fluid power circuits is essential in many fields of industry and this course is what you will need in your background to get up to speed with the existing and the emerging technologies. On the top of this, the structure of the course – both theoretical and practical lessons – helps building a problem-solving attitude which can be applied to a wide range of systems beyond fluid power circuits."

Eleonora Veisi, New and Advanced Product Development Engineer, Allegion, Faenza (RA), Italy - 2021

"I graduated in Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor Degree 2010 / Master Degree 2012) at Politecnico of Turin. During this journey I had the opportunity to attend two courses in Fluid Power with the Professors Nicola Nervegna and Massimo Rundo. I was also Teaching Assistant Professor of Fluid Power Laboratory. I wrote my Thesis (Master Degree) in Fluid Power about “Energy Saving for Excavators”. It was a good challenge and moreover a fantastic experience. At the beginning I did not understand the potential of Fluid Power Solutions. I understood that when I immediately found a job the day after Master Degree. I won “ASSOFLUID” award Winner for the best thesis in Fluid Power 2011/2012 and I was also Technical writer for “Oleodinamica Pneumatica”. Now I always work in Fluid Power sector with a lot of personal satisfactions. I recommended everyone to attend these courses because we don’t realize that Hydraulics is everywhere and gives us many possibilities."

Gioacchino Berardi, Senior Technical & Project Manager, NORDFLUID SpA, Settimo Milanese (MI), Italy - 2021

“I have got two milestone books in my office, and one of this is Fluid Power (I and II). I needed to apply into my job a lot of the concepts I learned during this course, and I decided to have this guide always with me. I started my career with aerospace systems testing activities, set-up and test rigs preparation and I am now leading a team that develops hydraulic servoactuators for helicopters. All the step I took in the past years relied on the bases I learnt during the fluid power course, which allows you to continuously combine theory and labs experiences. Therefore, this is an interesting, funny, solid and job oriented course I would recommend to anybody.”

Simone Allevi, Engineering Project Leader, Microtecnica Srl a subsidiary of Collins Aerospace, Torino, Italy - 2021

“I graduated in Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnic of Turin in 2016 and I attended the Fluid Power course during my first year of Master studies. The course structure was very well thought in order to give an exhaustive overview of the theoretical concepts, as well as showing their practical implications through real-life applications. Indeed, thanks to the knowledge gained during the course, I could first succeed in my Master thesis project, which consisted in analyzing the valve performances of Scania’s 6-cylinders engine, and then take my first steps in the automotive industry working as powertrain development engineer with focus on gas dynamics. Last but not least, I really appreciated the personal approach taken by Professor Massimo Rundo, who takes very thoughtful care and consideration of every student learning. Still today I am very proud and grateful for being a Fluid Power Alumni, considering that the course has been one of the most important and interesting experiences of my studies and my career!”

Davide Guarracino, Product Planning Manager, Scania, Södertalje, Sweden - 2021

“I had the pleasure to follow two courses of Fluid Power I - II respectively in the 2010 and 2011 years. The deep passion transmitted in the teaching of this matter by Professors Nervegna and Rundo and the completeness of the course, which have always seen theory, circuit drawings and numbers find out practicality in equipped Politecnico laboratory, they brought me to contact directly an industrial company operating in hydraulic field and ask it to allow me to carry out final thesis to conclude university studies with this subject. Thanks to knowledge acquired during Fluid Power courses, I was selected and hosted for nine months by the multinational company Wailvol (now Interpump Group) where I conducted detailed reverse engineering studies on hydraulic distributors for forklift trucks, working on real test forklift bench, 3D workpieces rebuilding and then simulating real operation through Amesim software. I recommend to all students who are passionate about this amazing discipline, to profit by final thesis period moving their first steps out of the comfort zone of university desks and to gain confidence in the industrial world that it will wait for them once they graduate. It is a unique and highly educational experience!”

Davide Munzi, Area Sales Manager, Keyence Italia SpA, Torino, Italy - 2021

"I attended the course of Fluid Power I in 2022. The clarity, the completeness and the orderliness of the lectures allowed me to quickly get to the heart of the subject, stimulating my curiosity. Then my interest grew more and more thanks to the perfect integration of laboratory experience into theoretical lessons. Besides, I found out that this course was teaching me not only the concepts of fluid power, but also logical reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which will be essential to face any challenge I will encounter in my path. This is the reason why I consider this course as one of the milestones of my university studies."

Marta Beltramo, PhD Student in Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino - 2022

“I attended Fluid Power I course during my last year of University. Even though I could never attend the lectures in presence, I never had problems about understanding and learning. I believe the course is well-structured and provided to give the fundamentals of fluid power. The course is linked to practice examples and experiences in laboratory are an important clarification for the student. I admit that the last part of my University path was really intricate but Fluid Power I course gave me the chance to understand what I would like to do in my professional life. These are not only good words: I currently work in a Hydraulics and Oleodynamic team in a heavy machines company.”

Gennaro Desiderio, Fluid Systems Engineer, Merlo SpA, Cervasca (CN), Italy - 2022

“I attended the Fluid Power I course in 2021, from March to July. Even if in the middle of a pandemic, lectures and exercise sessions were captivating, structured and very well prepared. Moreover, as we couldn’t go to the lab, the Professor took many videos and brought us there virtually. The course purpose is to give an overview of theoretical concepts, hydraulic systems and applications, showing components design details and circuit control strategies. Fluid Power I also improved my logical thinking and problem-solving skills and prompted me to choose a Master Thesis project in hydraulic field. I cannot leave out the teaching approach of the Professor Rundo, always kind and careful on every student learning. Don’t forget: "a pump generates a flow rate, not a pressure; indeed, the pressure at the pump outlet is imposed by the load". ”

Vittorio Napolitano, Mechanical Design and Structural Analysis Engineer, Thales Alenia Space, Torino, Italy - 2022

“Fluid Power has been one of the most interesting courses of my educational path at Politecnico of Torino and most likely the best course in terms of balance between theory, always focused on deep understanding of key concepts explained with remarkable clarity by the Professor, and practice, thanks to laboratory sessions which helped to fix such concepts permanently. At the end of the course, I was able to take an actual fluid power component in my hands and explain its working principle and detailed features. That was very satisfactory. If you are uncertain about what course to choose, Fluid Power is definitely an excellent choice. You will enjoy it!”

Gabriele Persichilli, Head of Global Product Management, Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division, Torino, Italy - 2023

“I attended the course of Fluid Power during my bachelor’s degree program in 2010 and I can perfectly understand why so many people still preserve good memories of those lectures. Professor Nicola Nervegna was able to transmit his passion for this matter regardless of the subject of the lecture, I can say each lesson was a sort of storytelling of part of its life, his travels, his international experience but what I really appreciated most was his availability towards the students. He never refused to spend time for a further clarification, a further request of help, even if the time for the lesson was over. He had the capability to fix some fundamental concepts in the mind of the student in order to make the understanding of the different aspects of the course easier for all and I still often apply those milestones in my work. I really appreciate that its inheritance has been picked up by Professor Rundo since it is clear that he shares the same passion for this field so that all these good things will not be lost in the future.”

Pietro Pizzo, Fuel System Design Engineer, Rabotti S.r.l., Torino, Italy - 2023

“I attended Fluid Power courses both during Bachelor than Master studies. I was so fascinated by the discipline that became my first choice for work. The course gave me basis for growing as specialist in the field and after more than 10 years’ experience I am still using the tips provided during the classes. The deep knowledge and the skill developed during the courses allowed me to emerge in very competitive teams with Engineers coming from all around the world.  Fluid Power is the heart of machines both in mobile and industrial application, lives around us. I strongly suggest to attend the courses even if you are not really interested in them because they will be very useful during your career.”

Aniello Valiante, Technical Director, HTS S.r.l., Torino, Italy - 2023
  
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