Technological advances have brought people around the world just a “tweet” away. Advances in ways to transfer power and control motion are being developed through companies’ research labs located on separate continents. And AGMA standards are being developed during WebEx’s by people from around the globe. But the face-to-face connection will always remain an essential component of growing our global industry.
In 2012, AGMA went to India and China to participate in major power transmission events. 20 members from seven countries joined AGMA on a trade mission to India that began with the IPTEX gearing trade show, and in October members attended PTC Asia in China.
Next month, April 8-12, AGMA will participate in EPTDA’s Pavilion at Hannover Fair (Hall 24, stand C15). Several AGMA member companies will exhibit in our pavilion. Prior to this show AGMA will present on behalf of the United States at the 2nd International Drive Technology Meeting of like organizations from around the world.
AGMA is your resource for making connections globally. At last count, AGMA membership had grown to 457 companies, and in 2013, over 25% of membership dues will be from companies located outside the United States. AGMA has members in 32 countries as the industry and our members are manufacturing gears in 24 countries. As the industry and association continues to be more interdependent globally we are working to provide opportunities for our members to meet face-to-face to network with their international peers.
AGMA will host two executive-level events in 2013 for peer-to-peer interactions. The AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 25-27 in Carlsbad, CA, will bring some of our international members and this year will have speakers from Germany and Italy providing information on Port and Maritime Logistics Trends and a European Perspective to the Power Transmission Market.
In October, AGMA will host the second International Business Conference in Dublin, Ireland. The IBC brings together senior managers, CEOs, and business owners from the gear and power transmission industry to meet, network, and spend two days examining a single complex business issue currently affecting our industry.
It is important to provide networking opportunities for executive-level employees. But AGMA sees value in having interactions for all levels of employment. We work to keep our face-to-face courses at a high level that draws participation from around the globe. Engineers, gear designers, and quality specialists attending this training not only walk away with knowledge to advance their career, but also are afforded networking opportunities with their peers from other companies. In 2013 we had more than 110 students from outside the United States attend one or more of our classes.
Additionally, Gear Expo will be held September 17-19, 2013 in Indianapolis, IN. The show provides sales and marketing teams, HR specialists, and many others within your company an opportunity to see the industry from a broader perspective. More than 15% of the 3,000 attendees in 2011 were from outside the U.S.
AGMA’s 27 technical committees draw experts from every corner of the world. Because of the close relationship between AGMA standards and those from ISO, many AGMA committees include representatives from our international members. In some cases, participation is large enough to justify holding meetings outside of the United States. Some of our committees are considering that for 2013.
Doesn’t it seem, on some days, that everything that happens is “virtual” — online, on the computer, in the cloud, anywhere but in your office? Fortunately, the leadership of AGMA recognizes that face-to-face, one-on-one, real conversations are valuable and help build our relationships and build our businesses. No matter how much of a presence AGMA has online or through email (and our presence is pretty big — and growing), we will always have face-to-face interactions to develop technical standards, to gain a better understanding of business conditions, and to strengthen our international relationships so that our businesses can continue to grow locally and internationally.
Face-to-face meetings are opportunities to build your network and your business. Take advantage of the AGMA Annual Meeting, the Fall Technical Meeting, business council, technical committee meetings, and, later this fall, the Gear Expo.
I look forward to seeing you this year!
AGMA Welcomes its Newest Members
British Columbia Institute of Technology
www.bcit.ca
BCIT’s bachelor programs in mechanical engineering offer a path to professional accreditation and designation as a professional engineer. All programs emphasize the practical aspects of engineering and working as a member of a collaborative engineering team.
DMG/Mori Seiki USA Inc.
www.dmgmoriseikiusa.com
DMG/Mori Seiki USA is one of the largest complete suppliers of machine tools, turning centers, and lathes in the world. DMG/Mori Seiki USA helps customers in every industry create the most competitive manufacturing environments possible. DMG/Mori Seiki USA recently opened a new US manufacturing facility in Davis, CA in November 2012.
Eaton Ltda – Div. Transmissions
www.eaton.com.br
Eaton is a global power management that helps companies make more efficient use of secure and sustainable electricity, hydraulics, and mechanics.
In Brazil, Eaton offers solutions for hydraulic electrical components, systems for power distribution products for automotive engine and industrial filtration, and transmission systems for vehicles in general.
Frisa Forjados, S.A. De C.V.
www.frisa.com
Frisa is a world-leading expert in the manufacture of seamless rolled rings and open-die forgings. Offering an extensive range of alloys and steels allows them to service a wide spectrum of industrial markets.
Infigen Energy
www.infigenenergy.com
Infigen Energy is a developer, owner, and operator of renewable generation with interests in 24 wind farms (1,646 MW equity interest) across Australia and the US.
PIC Design, Div. of Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
www.pic-design.com
PIC Design has been a leading manufacturer of precision mechanical components for more than 50 years. PIC was one of the first companies to satisfy the need for pre-engineered gear products and was one of the first mechanical “catalog” companies. The company is located in Middlebury, Connecticut and keeps many parts in stock for immediate shipment.
Premier Gear & Machining, Inc.
www.premiergearinc.com
With more than 35 employees and state-of-the-art equipment, Premier Gear and Machining is a complete, one-stop source for top-quality gear manufacturing, precision machining, and assembly. Behind the manufacturing technology at Premier are a group of dedicated professionals and talented craftsmen, all focused on providing top quality and the best customer service in the business.
Rj Link International, Inc.
www.rjlink.com
From free-standing speed reducers, speed increasers, transfer cases, and planetary drives to multiple-speed gearboxes, Rj Link is the custom solution for major OEMs in several market segments such as pumping, industrial, oil & gas, agriculture, mining & construction, rail, snow removal, transit, and on/off highway.
STD Precision Gear & Instrument, Inc.
www.stdgear.com
STD is a proven leader in the manufacturing of high precision (AGMA Q14), complexly configured, tightly toleranced gears, splines, and other related mechanical transmission components.
Taiwan United Gear Co., Ltd.
www.tugear.com.tw
Taiwan United Gear can provide cylindrical, spur, helical, bevel, zerol bevel, spiral bevel, hypoid, and worm gears. The company partners with four gear manufacturers in Taiwan: Ta Tung Gear, Jou Da Gear, Chunag Fu Gear, and Sheng Yu Gear — all use brand new, state-of-the-art CNC machines for gearing.
Zhengzhou Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering
www.zrime.com.cn
Zhengzhou Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering (ZRIME) was created in 1956 and has evolved from a first-class research institute belonging to the former Ministry of Mechanical Industry to a large Science & Technology enterprise administrated directly by the central government. ZRIME specializes in scientific research, new product development, achievement transformation, technical service, personnel training, and mass production, as well as import and export.
Learn How to Manufacture and Inspect Gears for Best Results
Join gear expert Raymond Drago, chief engineer and gear technologist, Drive Systems Technology, Inc. and AGMA for “Gear Manufacturing and Inspection: Methods, Practices, Application, and Interpretation for the Design Engineer,” and gain a better foundation on how to inspect gears for the best results.
In this seminar, to be held May 7-9 in Rosemont, IL, students gain a broad understanding of the methods used to manufacture and inspect gears — and much more. You will take it one step further, learning how the information can be applied and interpreted in the design process.
First, you’ll learn about the methods behind a variety of gears, including external and internal spur, single, and double helical gears, as well as bevel and worm gears. A description of each basic manufacturing and inspection method is provided, and both the methodology and underlying theory are explained. The features associated with each manufacturing method are discussed with regard to their impact upon and their ability to refine, guide, and optimize the design process.
Similarly, you will walk through interpretations of the results, taking two views of each result, both meeting a specification and determining acceptability for a specific application. Learn how to interpret the inspection data for purposes, rather than simply determining accept/reject status.
The seminar also covers the methods of specifying the data required to control both the manufacturing and inspection processes on an engineering drawing and in a specification. This includes both the data to be defined and the presentation of the data on the engineering drawing.
It is critical that the design engineer understand the manufacturing and inspection processes, so that the intent of the design can be successfully translated into practice.
Most gear inspection centers on gear tooth geometry; however, various nondestructive and destructive tests (such as ultrasonic, magnetic particle, acid etch, etc.) are also required to ensure the quality of the basic gear material and the results of various heat treatment procedures.
In this seminar, we will cover the basics of a variety of these tests, including their underlying theory, application techniques and, most importantly, interpretation of the resultant data.
This seminar aims to narrow the “information gap” by providing gear design engineers with a good foundation in both manufacturing and inspections processes and procedures.
Please note: This seminar is not a tutorial in the mechanics of machine operation; rather, the content addresses the relation between the manufacturing/inspection sequence and the detailed gear design process.
