John Lapham, CFPE | Director of Engineering

About

John Lapham is the Director of Engineering at Hydraulic Supply Company, where he has led hydraulic system design, electro-hydraulic controls integration, and industrial automation projects for over 20 years. He holds four professional certifications from the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) — the recognized credentialing authority for fluid power professionals in North America.

IFPS Professional Certifications

John holds the following IFPS credentials, representing progressive levels of verified competency in fluid power engineering:

Certification	Credential	What it Demonstrates
Certified Fluid Power Engineer	CFPE (E)	Advanced engineering-level competency in fluid power system design, analysis, and specification
Hydraulic Specialist	HS	Specialized knowledge in hydraulic components, circuit design, and system troubleshooting
Pneumatic Specialist	PS	Specialized knowledge in pneumatic system design, component selection, and diagnostics
Specialist	S	Demonstrates foundational cross-functional competency in both hydraulic and pneumatic system technologies.

John's CFPE credential can be verified through the IFPS Certified Professional Directory.

Holding multiple IFPS certifications positions John as a credentialed authority in hydraulic system design, pneumatic engineering, and industrial fluid power applications—credentials directly relevant to manufacturing, heavy equipment, and mobile machinery industries.

Applied Engineering Experience

John describes his career focus as machine controls engineering—automating machine motion using hydraulics and electrical systems. Throughout his career, he has designed and commissioned hydraulic systems for diverse applications, including:

Designing steel mill processing equipment.
Developing mobile construction and heavy equipment machinery.
Automating high-speed manufacturing lines.
Engineering industrial power units and motion control systems.

His hands-on troubleshooting experience spans systems operating from 1,500 to 6,000 PSI across industrial, manufacturing, and mobile equipment environments.

Core areas of expertise include:

Industrial hydraulic circuit design and analysis
High-pressure hydraulic system troubleshooting and diagnostics
Hydraulic hose, fitting, and adapter selection and specification
Pneumatic system design, component selection, and diagnostics
Electro-hydraulic motion control system integration
Controls development for new and retrofit hydraulic equipment
Fluid power system sizing and specification writing

Career Background

John joined Hydraulic Supply Company over two decades ago and has progressed through engineering roles of increasing responsibility:

Director of Engineering (2015–Present): Leads HSC's engineering team, overseeing complex hydraulic and pneumatic system design, machine controls integration, and customer application support.
Systems Applications Engineer (Prior to 2015): Responsible for hydraulic circuit design, system controls implementation, and engineered solutions for industrial and mobile equipment customers.

This career progression reflects sustained, hands-on experience solving real-world fluid power challenges across a wide range of industries and applications.

Education

John holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. His formal education provided foundational training in:

Mechanical systems and machine design
Thermodynamics and heat transfer
Applied fluid mechanics and hydraulics
Engineering problem-solving and analysis

These disciplines directly support his expertise in hydraulic and pneumatic system engineering.

Patented Innovation in Automation & Control Systems

John holds five U.S. patents in automation equipment control systems and robotic control platforms, reflecting sustained innovation in industrial automation design:

Patent Number	Focus Area
US 6,442,451	Versatile robotic control platform design Issued: Aug 27, 2002 An improved, versatile robot control system comprises a general purpose computer with a general purpose operating system in electronic communication with a real-time computer subsystem.
US 6,675,070	Automation equipment control system Issued: Jan 26, 2004 An automation equipment control system comprises a general purpose computer with a general purpose operating system in electronic communication with a real-time computer subsystem.
US 6,922,611	Automation equipment control system Issued: Jul 26, 2005 An automation equipment control system comprises a general purpose computer with a general purpose operating system in electronic communication with a real-time computer subsystem.
US 8,050,797	Automation equipment control system Issued: Nov 1, 2011 An automation equipment control system comprises a general purpose computer with a general purpose operating system in electronic communication with a real-time computer subsystem.
US 8,473,202	Automation equipment control system Issued: Jun 25, 2013 An automation equipment control system comprises a general purpose computer with a general purpose operating system in electronic communication with a real-time computer subsystem.

These patents address motion control challenges directly applicable to electro-hydraulic system automation and are publicly searchable through the USPTO Patent Database.

Why John's Expertise Matters

With five U.S. patents, four IFPS certifications, and over 20 years of applied hydraulic engineering leadership, John Lapham brings verified, real-world expertise to every article he authors for Hydraulic Supply Company.

His combination of

Certified credentials from the industry's leading professional organization
Patented innovation in automation and control systems
Decades of hands-on experience designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing fluid power systems
Leadership responsibility for HSC's engineering team and customer solutions

Establishes him as a trusted authority in

Certified hydraulic system design
Industrial fluid power troubleshooting
Electro-hydraulic motion control systems
Pneumatic system engineering
High-pressure hydraulic component selection

Questions about hydraulic system design, troubleshooting, or fluid power solutions?

Contact the HSC Engineering Team

Latest Contributions

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Hydraulic Cylinder Brands and What to Know Before Replacing One

Posted: March 30, 2026

Categories: HSC Solutions , Business Strategies

Replacing a hydraulic cylinder is usually straightforward once you know exactly what you’re working with. Whether your cylinder has begun leaking or it’s lost its lifting power, knowing your hydraulic cylinder brands can help get your equipment back up and running quickly.

Each manufacturer determines how a particular cylinder mounts to various types of equipment and what replacement options are on the table. When technicians can identify the brand and understand what specifications matter, they’re in a much better position to find a compatible replacement without dealing with the headache of unnecessary downtime. This article will walk you through how to recognize hydraulic cylinder manufacturers, how to track down a brand when markings are unclear, and what to look for before you install a replacement.

Why Hydraulic Cylinder Brands Are Important for Replacement

Hydraulic cylinders may seem interchangeable, but the brand behind them dictates how they were engineered and where they were

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What to Know Before Replacing a Hydraulic Cylinder

Posted: March 24, 2026

Categories: HSC Solutions

Replacing a hydraulic cylinder is not always as simple as swapping out one part for another. Before sourcing a replacement, it is important to confirm the cylinder’s measurements, mounting style, pressure requirements, and overall condition. Overlooking key details at this stage can lead to installation issues or shortened service life after the new cylinder is in place.

This guide covers what to understand before moving forward with a replacement, including how to identify the right cylinder, what measurements matter, and when repair may be a better option. The goal is to help you gather the right information before ordering so you can avoid delays, rework, or performance issues.

What to Check Before Replacing a Hydraulic Cylinder

Before removing the existing cylinder, it is worth evaluating how and why the failure occurred, since not every issue requires a full replacement. Leakage or reduced performance is often tied to seal degradation, whereas structural issues such as rod deformation

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Hydraulic Cylinder Types and What Sets Them Apart

Posted: February 24, 2026

Categories: HSC Q&A

Hydraulic cylinders are the driving force behind countless pieces of equipment used every day in mobile and industrial operations. When a machine needs controlled linear motion, the cylinder is what converts hydraulic pressure into usable mechanical force, and the type selected directly affects how that equipment operates in the field.

Cylinder design influences how a system responds under load and how well it integrates within the equipment structure, and can also affect long-term durability. Selecting the wrong hydraulic cylinder type can shorten service life and reduce efficiency. This article breaks down the primary hydraulic cylinder types, how each one operates in real applications, and what you need to know to approach selection with confidence.

What Are Hydraulic Cylinders?

A hydraulic cylinder is a mechanical actuator that converts hydraulic pressure into linear force. When pressurized fluid enters the cylinder barrel, it pushes against a piston, and that movement drives the rod

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John Lapham