“Simulating before building means designing better, faster, and more efficiently.”
📅 November 19, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Tecnopolo di Modena – Via P. Vivarelli 2, Modena
SmartFluidPower, in collaboration with Fondazione Democenter, is organizing a full-day workshop focused on modeling and virtual simulation in hydraulic systems using the open-source software OpenModelica.
In the fluid power sector, traditional approaches based on empirical tests and “trial & error” cycles lead to long timelines, high costs, and numerous physical prototypes.
Dynamic simulation, on the other hand, allows you to anticipate design choices, validate solutions in the early stages, and drastically reduce the need for physical testing—delivering significant benefits in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness.
During the workshop, led by engineers Giovanni Cillo and Marco Rizzoli (SmartFluidPower), participants will have the opportunity to:
- Learn the basics of the Modelica language
- Explore the features of OpenModelica and the SmartFluidPower library
- Perform hands-on exercises on hydraulic circuits and components
- Understand how to integrate simulation into design and innovation processes
The course is designed for engineers, technicians, and technical office managers working in companies active in the fluid power sector, both in component manufacturing and in the integration of complex systems.
For information: +39 059 2058153 – formazione@fondazionedemocenter.it
Speakers
Graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 2012 and earned a second-level Master’s degree in ‘Fluid Power’ in 2014.
He then worked as a researcher at Unimore for six years, focusing on the simulation of hydraulic components and systems.
In 2018, he founded SmartFluidPower, originally established as a spin-off of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
Marco Rizzoli
Graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 2019 at Unimore. He worked as a researcher at the Enzo Ferrari Department of Engineering in Modena, focusing on design, analysis, and modeling in the fluid power sector.
The workshop is a natural deep dive following the free webinar “Introduction to Dynamic Simulation with OpenModelica”, scheduled for October 15, 2025.
The Benefits of Dynamic Simulation
Technical literature and independent organizations are quite clear:
- Fewer prototypes and repeated tests → direct savings on material and workshop costs.
- Reduced time-to-market thanks to design space exploration and the ability to anticipate issues digitally.
- Higher quality and robustness: systematic model verification and validation reduce technical risk and improve decision reliability.
- Controlled dissemination of simulation: making validated tools available to downstream designers multiplies benefits, provided they are used according to clear rules and verified models.
For Italian hydraulic companies, these advantages translate into one or two fewer prototype cycles, greater confidence in line sizing, faster control tuning, and ultimately more effective technical-commercial support through the use of lightweight models.
How SmartFluidPower Can Help You Overcome the Challenges of New Projects
SmartFluidPower is an innovative SME founded in 2018 as a spin-off of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Our team combines academic experience and engineering expertise to bring innovation to hydraulic system design.
Companies in the fluid power sector often struggle with simulation software that is too complex, expensive, or poorly suited to their real needs.
We decided to change the rules of the game.
We work directly with industry leaders to develop tailor-made products and services designed to simplify modeling, reduce development time, and improve the performance of hydraulic systems.
Want to learn more? Claim Your 30-Minute Session!
Ti offriamo gli strumenti software per ottimizzare la progettazione di componenti e sistemi oleodinamici.
Applichiamo le tecnologie più avanzate per proporre soluzioni alle tue sfide nel design di prodotti nel mondo del fluid power.
Ti aiutiamo a innovare evitando di disperdere risorse nelle attività di trial & error.
