The MPMA Fall Technical Meeting (FTM) is expanding its format — and its audience. The traditional technical papers and presentations aren’t going anywhere. But starting this October, FTM is unveiling a second track, opening the event to practitioners whose hands-on experience in the industry has not had a regular place at the table.
The 2026 FTM, October 5-7 at the Hilton Rosemont – Chicago O’Hare, marks the first year the event will run a dual-track format. Alongside the classic peer-reviewed technical paper sessions, a new presentation-only track introduces case studies, manufacturing breakthroughs, inspection innovations, and emerging technologies, the kind of practical, experience-driven knowledge that is rarely formalized but shapes how real design and production decisions get made every day.
This year, the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) joins as a co-host, dedicating a full session to topics from its triennial Trends Report: AI and digitalization, thermal management, decarbonization, and more. For professionals in manufacturing, quality, sales, or business development, the new presentation track provides a great way to learn about the latest technology in a very efficient setting.
TRACK 1: Papers
- Application, Rating.
- Efficiency, Tribology.
- Emerging Technology.
- Manufacturing, Materials & Heat Treatment.
- NVH, Wear & Failure.
Track 2: Presentations
- STLE Trends in Tribology and Lubrication.
- AI, Additive Technologies.
- Efficiency, Tribology.
- Application, Wear & Failure.
- Manufacturing, Materials & Heat Treatment.
Some highlights from the new presentation track:
- AI in Tribology: Breakthroughs, Barriers, and What the Field Needs Next. Some examples of how AI and automation can reduce the time it takes to perform and analyze data specifically for tribology will be presented by Northwestern University.
- PBF-LB for Gears? Capabilities, Limitations, and Potential Use Cases for Metal Additive Manufacturing in Gear and Drivetrain Applications. REM Surface Engineering: Metal AM is a maturing yet disruptive technology with growing industrial use. This talk explores laser powder bed fusion’s capabilities, limitations, mitigation strategies, and gear/drivetrain applications.
- Efficiency and Lifetime Optimization of Gears and Bearings through Tribochemical Lubricant Additive Technology. REWITEC GmbH: REWITEC’s phyllosilicate-based additive technology coats gear, bearing, and engine surfaces via lubricant-carried particles, reducing friction, wear, roughness, and temperature — boosting efficiency, reliability, and component lifespan.
- The Effectiveness of Vibration Analysis Techniques for Bearing Damage Detection in Condition Monitoring. The Timken Company: This study evaluates vibration-based bearing monitoring methods across full life cycles. RMS, crest factor, and kurtosis reliably detect fault progression; kurtosis above 3.5 indicates damage. Practical technique selection guidance is provided.
- Innovative Generating Grinding with Fast and Flexible Profile Modification Using Standard Dressing Tools. Liebherr: The DIP process enables flexible gear profile modifications during grinding using standard rollers, eliminating dedicated dressing tools. It reduces cost and dressing time, ideal for job shops and small batches.
The 2026 Fall Technical Meeting promises to be the most accessible and wide-ranging FTM yet. Whether you’re a researcher, engineer, manufacturer, or industry practitioner, this year’s dual-track format ensures there’s a seat at the table for you. Register early to take advantage of tiered pricing: Early bird registration (June 29-August 14) saves $150 off the non-member price, advance registration (August 15-September 25) saves $100, and late registration is available from September 26 through onsite. Member discounts are extended to both MPMA and STLE members. Don’t miss your chance to connect with the gear and power transmission community. Questions? Reach the event team at FTM@motionpower.org.
Upcoming Courses
How to Read and Interpret a Gear Inspection Report
September 1-2, 2026 | Online
This new and expanded one-day online course is intended to provide you with a thorough understanding of the attributes of a gear and its design that are critical to ensure the required operation and function of the gear system as expected. The features and attributes of importance to function of the gear system will be discussed and explained in terms of how to measure and inspect them. We will cover measurement techniques and inspection interpretations as a precursor to the operation of a gear measurement machine (GMM). We will also explore the differences and similarities between a GMM and coordinate measurement machine (CMM).
Basic Training for Gear Manufacturing
September 28-October 2, 2026 | Roselle, Illinois
Learn the fundamentals of gear manufacturing in this hands-on course. Gain an understanding of gearing and nomenclature, principles of inspection, gear manufacturing methods, and hobbing and shaping. Using manual machines, develop a deeper breadth of perspective and understanding of the process and physics of making a gear as well as the ability to apply this knowledge in working with CNC equipment commonly in use.
Fall Technical Meeting
October 5-7, 2026 | Rosemont, Illinois
The 2026 Fall Technical Meeting (FTM) brings together engineers, technical leaders, and professionals from across the power transmission industry for three days of learning, collaboration and networking. Co-hosted with the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), this year’s event introduces an expanded dual-track format designed to support both deep technical research and forward-looking industry innovation.
Track 1: Peer-reviewed technical papers on new technologies, indexed in Scopus.
Track 2: Presentation-only sessions focused on emerging technologies, innovative solutions and real-world applications.
Whether you are submitting a paper, contributing as a peer reviewer, or attending sessions, the FTM provides a platform to exchange knowledge, explore new ideas, and strengthen connections across the power transmission community.
Gear Materials
October 20-22, 2026 | Wilmington, Delaware
Learn what is required for the design of an optimum gear set and the importance of the coordinated effort of the gear-design engineer, the gear metallurgist, and the bearing system engineer. Investigate gear-related problems, failures and improved processing procedures.
Lubrication and Wear: Advanced Concepts
October 20-22, 2026 | Wilmington, Delaware
Designed for engineers and scientists in the rolling element bearing, gear, and power transmission industries who desire a more fundamental knowledge of component-relevant topics in the lubrication and wear areas within the field of tribology. The science behind lubrication and wear continues to evolve. This course introduces attendees to important terminology; surface topography measurement, characterization, and application; the mechanics of surfaces in contact; the development of lubricant films; and failure of rolling element bearings. The purpose of this course is to increase relevant technical knowledge and bridge the gap between component design and component failure, as a result of relative motion between surfaces in contact.
Advanced Concepts of Bearing Technology
October 26-29, 2026 | Schaumburg, Illinois
This course builds on the foundations of the Essential Course and challenges the experienced engineer in areas such as internal loading and Hertzian stresses, failure initiation criteria, friction & wear, and fatigue life calculation methods. This is an exceptional course for engineers with two to three years work experience in rolling element bearings or past attendees of the Essential Concepts of Bearing Technology. A general knowledge of the basic bearing types and terminology is required.
Advanced Gear Manufacturing and Metrology
October 27-29, 2026 | Schaumburg, Illinois
This three-day intensive course provides a rigorous, practical foundation in the manufacturing and metrology of precision involute gears. Participants develop a thorough understanding of gear geometry, material and heat treatment selection (as seen through a manufacturing lens), all major soft- and hard-cutting processes, surface integrity, inspection and metrology.
Design and Performance Rating Procedures for Plastic Gears
November 2-3, 2026 | Live, Online
This course focuses on all aspects of the design process of gearboxes with plastic gears. The covered topics were selected based on state-of-the-art industrial projects, working with stakeholders from automotive, micro-mobility (e-bikes), house appliances, aerospace, chemical, power tools and robotics sectors.
