Continuing education has proven to be an important factor among AGMA members and non-members. With training and retaining a knowledgeable workforce as a goal of the industry, 2016 has been a busy year for AGMA’s education department. Our most popular courses — Basic Training for Gear Manufacturing and Gear Failure Analysis — filled quickly. And the Gear Manufacturing and Inspection course was an awesome learning experience as the attendees were able to connect theory to practice by visiting GearTec Inc. in Willoughby, Ohio, where president, John Grazia, and his team provided an engaging tour.
This year, we have presented four webinars as a member benefit. A three-part series of Gearbox Field Inspections: Load Distribution, Lubrication, and Condition Monitoring, and How to Read and Interpret a Gear Inspection Chart. The response has been nothing short of amazing. Over 500 attendees registered for the live presentation and downloaded the events. That speaks volumes, and we are not done yet.
As a part of the board’s Strategic Plan, education continues to be supported as we strive to provide the industry with relevant and meaningful learning opportunities. Our initiatives include: offering two new courses each year starting in 2017; offering five member-benefit webinars in 2017; revising our workforce education courses; updating our delivery platforms and technology; and other goals that will assist us in providing you with premier continuing education offerings.
We are working directly with the membership department and brainstorming on ideas to increase member engagement. There is significant value in being an AGMA member company. In addition to serving in various committees, the benefits of membership include the ability to attend or view many of our course offerings at no cost.
AGMA submitted two proposals to the AGMA Foundation to assist in the initiatives set forth by the Education Committee. The first proposal sought to receive funding to revise AGMA’s workforce education courses and the Detailed Gear Design online video training course. The second proposal sought to receive funding to continue providing the webinars as a member benefit. Both proposals were funded, giving the AGMA education department the leverage it needs to continue building a quality catalog of courses. We would like to express our debt of gratitude for the Foundation’s generosity.
As you’ll see in the 2017 event schedule on page 17, and as aforementioned, there are two new courses: Steels for Gear Applications and Fundamentals of Gear Design and Analysis. These courses are taught by Lily Kamjou and Dr. William “Mark” McVea. And we are pleased to welcome Robert Budny and Scott Eatherton to the AGMA instructional staff for the Gear Failure Analysis course. We are excited about the various areas of expertise our new instructors bring to AGMA education.
Registration for these events will open on or before October 17. For our more popular courses, please be sure to register early. We are working on providing additional sections of these courses in the near future. As we move into 2017 and beyond, as always, we want to hear from you. We depend on you to inform us on ways that we can be of better service and to provide us with suggestions on topics you would like to see offered.
This year has been full of change, excitement, and growth. None of it would be possible without the AGMA instructional staff: Ray Drago, Bob Errichello, Jane Muller, Steve Cymbala, Roy Cunningham, Joseph Lenski, Dwight Smith, Peter Grossi, and Allen Bird and webinar presenters John Amendola Sr., John Amendola III, Dereck Yatzook, Steve Rogan, and Dr. William “Mark” McVea. Thank you for leading from the front of the classroom. And to our members and potential members, we also thank you for continuing to send your workforce and taking advantage of the educational offerings. They have been a pleasure to work with, and they represent you well.
Thanks to all of you for an incredible year. We are looking forward to 2017!
AGMA 2016 Strategic Resources Network (SRN) Event
November 1-3, 2016 | Cleveland, Ohio
The Strategic Resources Network (SRN) is a group within AGMA that grows future leaders both for the association and for our member companies. Events developed each year for the SRN include relevant presentations with take-home benefits, plant tours, and great networking opportunities. Members of the Strategic Resources Network Committee has developed a program that will take all the lessons that were highlighted through AGMA’s centennial year and move the industry into its next 100 years. Please join us for the SRN 2016 event in Cleveland.
Presentations for this event include:
Lubricants for the Future and Their Impact on Gear Manufacturing
Frank Cooney, Technology Development Manager, The Lubrizol Corporation
Lubricants utilized in industrial power transmission applications are facing challenges from many fronts today. Lubricants and the additive systems they employ are expected to influence performance in areas such as energy efficiency, environmental impact, resource conservation, asset preservation, and consumer experience, among others. This performance envelope is broad and diverse and requires an organization to optimize its full complement of people, processes, and technology to consistently exceed customers’ expectations. Today, with some forward-looking industrial equipment manufacturers and users, lubricants have become design elements rather than an afterthought. Cooney will discuss some of the ways in which Lubrizol meets the challenges of product development in today’s environment and provide specific examples of successful efforts and the elements of the process that were critical to their success.
Additive/Hybrid Manufacturing: Overview and Applications in the Gear Industry
Nitin Chaphalkar, Product Manager, DMG MORI USA Inc. and AGMA Board Member
Additive manufacturing/3D printing is a game-changing technology in the manufacturing space today. This presentation will provide insights into the world of 3D printing and the latest developments in the field. Hear about innovations in this technology as it is being brought into the manufacturing landscapes. Both success and pitfalls will be discussed. You will also hear information about how additives and subtractive manufacturing techniques are combining in hybrid environments. What are the benefits of the additive manufacturing technology? Where does this technology add value? How can I leverage this technology in my business? Join us to hear about the challenges ahead as we discuss applications for the gear market and the implications for the small-business owner.
New Ideas in Steel Manufacturing
E. Buddy Damm, Ph.D., Steel Solutions Scientist, TimkenSteel Corporation
High-performance gears for power-dense applications require steels that can keep up with the advanced designs that gear-makers can produce today. Power densification allows designers to put more power through existing gear sets in order to either mitigate historical failures or gain greater capacity with minimal re-design and re-tooling costs. Similarly, power densification can allow for light weighting to gain fuel efficiency. Steels with excellent combinations of strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance are required to achieve optimal performance. In order to take best advantage of improved steel cleanness for improved fatigue performance, it is critical to capture steel cleanness metrics that are relevant to gear design and life prediction. Best-in-class clean steels capable of achieving high combinations of strength and toughness will be reviewed and discussed.
Steel Sales Overview
Guy Brada, Director of Technical Services, Ellwood Materials Technologies
This session will take an in-depth look at the current state of steel pricing based on global and domestic demand and capacity as well as projections looking forward to 2017 and beyond. Many regions around the world have invested significantly in steelmaking capacity in recent decades. Service centers and forging companies that serve the gear industry have access to material produced in regions around the world as well as domestic (U.S.) producers. Learn what are the major considerations that should be taken by gear manufacturers faced with more (or limited) variety in sources and grades and how this has impacted domestic steel producers.
Overview of NASA Gear Research/Tour
Timothy Krantz, Ph.D., Technical Lead, Drive Systems, NASA
This session will provide an overview of recent gearing and power transmission research at NASA Glenn Research Center. The research is motivated by the high importance of power density for aerospace applications. An overview of recent NASA research efforts will be provided including discussions of the use of composite materials for gears shafts and hubs, the use of smart materials for vibration reduction via the vibration ring and related concepts, and two-speed transmission technology for rotorcraft.
Additionally, the SRN event will include presentations about the AGMA. Members of the SRN will have an opportunity to meet AGMA’s new president, Matt Croson, and listen to his plans to transition AGMA into a new era and the 101st year. Brian Schultz, the current SRN chair and president of Great Lakes Industry Inc., will discuss the past, present, and future for the SRN. And Mary Ellen Doran, director of electronic communication, will update members on plans for 2017 and new ways for members to plug in and get more from their AGMA membership.
Gear Expo 2017
Save the date! Gear Expo 2017 — The Drive Technology Show — is October 24-26, 2017, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Fall Technical Meeting 2017 — Call for Participation
Once again, the Fall Technical Meeting (FTM) is scheduled with Gear Expo. The FTM is October 22-24, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. Call for Papers is now open for this event. Visit www.agma.org for complete author instructions.
The Fall Technical Meeting provides an outstanding opportunity to share ideas with others in the gear industry from design to new products. Authors have the opportunity to present the results of their work to an audience of knowledgeable professionals from the United States and around the world and to participate in discussions with that audience.
Each year, authors, selected by AGMA, write peer-reviewed technical papers on topics relevant to the gear industry. The topics vary widely and cover all aspects of gearing including design and analysis; manufacturing and quality; materials, metallurgy, and heat treatment; operation, maintenance, and efficiency; and gear failure. Presenters come from across the globe to present their work.
The submission process for this event takes place entirely online.
NOTE: THE NEW SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS IN 2016!
Abstracts must be submitted no later than December 16, 2016.
AGMA 2017 Event Schedule
Registration for all of the following events opens on October 17, 2016, on the AGMA website, www.agma.org.