Siegfried Helduser Receives The ASME Robert E. Koski Medal

NEW YORK, September 18, 2012 —Siegfried Helduser, Dr.-Ing., a retired professor, Technische Universität Dresden; and former director of the Institut für Fluidtechnik, Germany, was honored by ASME. He was recognized for outstanding contributions to research, development and education in fluid power motion and control over three decades through activities focused on basic research to overcome challenges in hydraulics; applied research, mainly in collaboration with industry, to foster innovation, and on the promotion of young talent along their educational paths. He received the Society’s Robert E. Koski Medal.

The medal recognizes an individual who has advanced the art and practice of fluid power motion and control through education and/or innovation. It was presented to Dr. Helduser during the Bath/ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control, which was held in Bath, UK, Sept. 12 through 14.

Helduser is a globally recognized expert in the field of fluid power motion and control. Following his doctoral thesis, Helduser started his professional career in 1977 as deputy director of the Institute of Hydraulic and Pneumatic Drives and Control at RWTH Aachen University, Germany. Between 1980 and 1993, he was employed in the hydraulic industry, including nearly 10 years with Vickers Systems GmbH in Germany, a subsidiary of Vickers Inc. (Troy, Mich.), where he last served as director of technology development, Europe.

In August 1993, Helduser was appointed professor for hydraulics and pneumatics at the Technische Universität Dresden. He was successful in attracting young talented engineers to the fluid power group, and conveyed his methodology of combining analytical analysis, simulation and experimental work in research. He also contributed in raising funds for research from German governmental institutions, the European Union, private foundations and industry. In recognition of his work and to foster further growth, the Faculty of Machinery founded the Institut für Fluidtechnik (IFD) in 1997; under Helduser’s leadership as director (1997-2010), IFD developed into an internationally renowned center of excellence for research and education in fluid power components and systems. IFD is a foundation member of the Network of Fluid Power Centres in Europe (FPCE) and organizes, in cooperation with the Institute of Fluid Power Drives and Control at RWTH Aachen, the International Fluid Power Conference (IFK).

Since his retirement in March 2010, Helduser has been working as a consultant, and authoring books and articles on fluid power. Also since 2010, he has been serving as an advisor to the board of trustees of the German University in Cairo.

He has published more than 140 papers, co-authored a book published in 1995 titled Fluidtechnik von A bis Z (Fluid Power from A to Z) and has two patents pending. Since 1994, he has been a member of the Technical-Scientific Advisory Committee of the journal O+P Ölhydraulik und Pneumatik; he previously served as editor (2004-09).

Helduser is a member of the Deutsche Hochschulverband (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers) and the Dresdner Verein zur Förderung der Fluidtechnik (Dresdner Association to Promote Fluid Power), Germany.

His honors include the Joseph Bramah Medal (2008) from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UK.

Helduser earned his Dipl.-Ing., Faculty of Machinery, at RWTH Aachen University in 1971. A research assistant at RWTH Aachen’s Institute of Hydraulic and Pneumatic Drives and Control (1972-77), Helduser earned his Dr.-Ing., Faculty of Machinery, in 1977. He received the Borchers Plakette (Borchers Medal) for the doctoral examination grade of summa cum laude.

The ASME Foundation is the proud supporter of the ASME Honors and Awards program through the management of award endowment funds set up by individuals, corporations or groups.

About ASME ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. For more information visit www.asme.org.