The Motion + Power Technology Expo (MPT Expo) is just around the corner, and, from October 21-23, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan, it will once again become the epicenter for motion and power professionals from around the globe. This premier industry event goes beyond showcasing gears — it’s where key supply chain conversations happen, offering insights that could reshape the way we design, manufacture, and apply power transmission systems.
MPT Expo 2025 promises to be a landmark event for those eager to understand the evolving tech landscape and connect with innovators who are pushing boundaries in robotics, aerospace, electric vehicles, and more. This year, MPT Expo has expanded its offerings, integrating them across the agenda to give attendees new ways to learn and new ways to explore the show floor to better understand the impact the future of motion and power.
‘What’s Brewing’ Power Breakfasts
Start each day with fresh ideas and expert perspectives at the Power Breakfasts, where members of the Emerging Technology Committees will lead thought-provoking discussions:
- Tuesday: The Future of Robotics: Moderated by Robert Kufner, CEO of Designatronics and chair of the MPMA Robotics Committee, this session discusses the advanced gear sets enabling next-gen movement. The panel will discuss new robot designs, how to create for battery power and consumer spaces, and how gear and bearing manufacturers can supply to these new product lines. Mitch Toloson, Founder, Ally Robotics; Alex Shikany, Executive Vice President at A3; and possibly one more panelist will provide a lively discussion.
- Wednesday-Aerospace, Space, and Defense: Join Ted Angel, Executive Director, National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence, John Keogh, VP, Technology, LIFT, and Amy Thompson, PhD, Chief Technology Officer, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), for a panel discussion including advancements in plane and eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicles and the future of air mobility.
- Thursday-Policy & Tariffs: We are bringing in the experts to provide up-to-the-minute information on where the tariffs sit for gear and bearing manufacturers.
Explore with Curated Show Floor Tours
Back by popular demand, the curated show floor tours provide a focused way to engage with exhibitors that match your interests. Curated tours have been developed for each of our education courses and for the FTM. We have filled the exhibit hall with world-makers of gears and power transmissions, machine tool makers, and suppliers to our industry. Make sure you come and check them all out. These tours provide a breakdown of the show floor.
Are you interested in learning more about any of these topics?
- Design and Rating.
- Electric Vehicles and Emerging Tech.
- Manufacturing and Inspection.
- Efficiency and NVH.
- Materials and Performance.
- Analytical Gear Chart Interpretation.
- Bearings.
- Basics of Gearing.
- Heat Treatment.
You can download any of these tours at motionpowerexpo.com/networking-events.
Mary Ellen Doran, MPMA Vice President of Emerging Technology will provide live tours at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You do not have to sign up in advance to join a live tour.
Be Part of the Conversation
MPT Expo 2025 is more than a trade show — it’s where the future of motion and power begins. With so many opportunities to connect, learn, and explore, it’s the perfect venue to position yourself at the forefront of industry innovation.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer eager to learn, don’t miss your chance to experience the latest in emerging technology firsthand. See you in Detroit.
Upcoming Courses
Involute Spline Design and Rating
October 7-8 | Live Online
This course will address both geometry and rating of involute splines of various types. The types of spline joints and their applications will be discussed. Spline configuration variations, including half depth, full depth, and special function designs, will be addressed. Both fixed and flexible spline configurations will be examined in terms of usage and design. Lubrication methods, including grease, oil bath, and flowing oil, as well as coatings appropriate for various spline applications, are examined. Shear and compressive stress rating methods are discussed with analyses methodology presented in both equation and graphical methodology via various rating charts.
Gear Failure Analysis
November 4-6 | Chicago, Illinois
Explore gear failure analysis in this hands-on seminar where students not only see slides of failed gears but can hold and examine more than 130 specimens with the same failure modes covered in the seminar. Approximately half of the course time consists of students in groups identifying failure modes on failed gears and working on a case study. Microscopes are available to examine failed specimens.
Analytical Gear Chart Interpretation
November 13 | Live Online
This course is an introduction to the methodology of analytical gear inspection and the evaluation and interpretation of the resulting data. The application of this information to identify and correct manufacturing errors will be explored. Additionally, it reviews chart interpretation and applies inspection data to understand the causes and cures of manufacturing errors. Many chart examples are used to understand cause and effect.
Reverse Engineering
November 18 | Live Online
We will discuss the basic types of reverse engineering projects (e.g. upgrading an existing system to increase power or extend operating life or improve noise level; replacing gear that has simply reached the end of its otherwise successful useful life; emergency, short term, interim gear replacement resulting from an unexpected failure; responding to a system that is not providing acceptable performance, etc.). The need for understanding the operation of the system in which the gears will be used, the conditions that led to the need for the project, and especially, the specific nature of the failure that occurred, if that is the reason for the project, are key, often ignored, elements of the process.
Condition Monitoring
December 2-3 | Live Online
In this course we will examine each of these questions and the interrelation of each with a primary focus on how this information can be used to define the actions required to keep the gearbox running properly and to allow maintenance planning.
- What: There are many parameters that provide information about the condition of an operating gearbox, some are lubrication centric while others are operationally centric. Major lubrication centric parameters include lubricant temperature, pressure (if the lube is a liquid pumped system), and flow rate. Major operational centric parameters include noise, vibration, chip detection and characterization.
- Why: Each parameter, individually and in combination, can provide insight into the condition of the gearbox and its individual components. We will present not only the parameter descriptions, but the information provided by each and the actions that may be suggested by these observations.
- How: Major emphasis of our discussions will focus on this most important factor. There are a variety of ways we can collect the data required to estimate remaining operational time and risk of premature failure. Even more importantly, however, our discussion of the “how” will address the relation of the function of the gearbox and the risks associated with parameters evaluated. Some parameters are best evaluated online as the gearbox is operating while others are best evaluated offline using “samples” obtained from the operating gearbox. Our discussion will address the differences and the situations in which each is appropriate.
