Whether you call it Industry 4.0, the next industrial revolution, or smart manufacturing, it is here, and it will have an impact on you and your company. There has been a seismic shift in our culture brought on by the increased availability of affordable high-speed computing power. It has allowed for the creation of new technologies. We can feel it even in our daily lives. In our businesses, we see it in new tools such as generative design, digital twin, preventive maintenance, supply chain management, and new material discoveries at the nano-level — pushing on manufacturing from all sides.
The AGMA Emerging Technology Committee (ETC) recognizes the new pressures faced by members and is working to help make sense of the deluge of information. The committee, with the direction of the Board of Directors, has spent its first six months focused on four specific areas: the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), metal 3D printing, robotics & automation, and new materials. The goal of the committee is to identify, investigate, and inform AGMA members of Emerging Technologies that may disrupt or significantly make an impact on our industry, as well as to equip our members with the information they need to succeed in this environment. After gaining a better understanding of each of these areas, we have been working to create informational pieces providing a roadmap on how to implement these technologies into our members’ business plans and onto factory floors. The ETC wants to be the microscope into understanding these technologies.
The ETC is focused both on understanding and implementing new technology and how AGMA members can gain new business from these technologies. Robotics is an excellent example. In just the last couple of years, the barriers for bringing automation into a plant have significantly decreased — it is no longer the case that robots are only used in automobile assembly lines or multi-billion-dollar corporations. Technologies are now available for use across the manufacturing sector. As a result, there will be a natural increase in the production of robots. The ETC is pursuing ways to help members identify opportunities in the supply chain for this new level of production and maximize production capability of their factory floors through automation.
The ETC will seek out best practices and use cases for AGMA members. The committee was able to have some early successes last year with the creation of the first Emerging Technology Pavilion at Gear Expo, which led to finding more experts to present on our four topics of focus at AGMA events. We have provided expert presenters for members for their on-site education events, and most recently, I moderated the robotics panel discussion at the 2018 AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting in Naples, Florida. We are working on roundtable discussions for the upcoming SRN, and the committee will assist with a presentation at the FTM. The ETC will continue to provide member access to experts in emerging technologies.
The ETC provides information from the news each week in multiple areas. On Tuesdays, we issue the Gear Industry Update, a weekly overview of the important articles of interest to our members. Many emerging technology news items are included in this e-newsletter every Wednesday in the Tech Deck on the AGMA website, where we present the most relevant developments from the four AGMA ETC focus areas. You may sign up to receive the newsletter on the AGMA home page and visit the emerging technology section of the AGMA website to learn more.
In coming months, you can look forward to seeing more information from the ETC. We are working to provide a report on the current state of gear research and production by metal 3D printing and additive/subtractive processes. We are gathering information on materials research and how high-speed computing is being used to create materials and increase efficiency in traditional material development. We are monitoring current research and will bring you information on developments in light weighting, strength, new alloys, and new discoveries. The committee has 13 members from within the AGMA membership and is chaired by Brian Schultz, president of Great Lakes Industry. We are soliciting support from experts to sit on Technical Advisory Groups (T.A.G.s) for each of the four focus areas.
From smart factories and smart products to predictive maintenance and generative design, AGMA will help you navigate technology, security, and supply chain implications for your company, your products, and your end users. I encourage you to stay informed with us and even join the ETC if you are interested.
Membership in the AGMA Emerging Technology Committee is available for all AGMA member companies. Please contact Mary Ellen Doran at doran@agma.org for more information.
AGMA/ABMA annual meeting was a great success
The 2018 AGMA/ABMA annual meeting was a great success on many levels. There were 264 attendees at this year’s meeting, and 23 of them were first-timers.
The AGMA Foundation Golf Tournament raised more than $8,500 for future scholarships. The First Annual Cornhole Tournament provided a new, fun way to network. Members got a chance to talk, relax, and enjoy a little friendly competition in the sun. Photos from the week are available to those who attended. Please contact brinkley@agma.org to receive the link.
And, what a speaker lineup! From international trade breakdowns to motivational speeches, members were presented with all facets of the industry and business. Some of the presentations are available for download on the annual meeting webpage.
Thank you for making this annual meeting a memorable experience. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year in Scottsdale, Arizona.
AGMA gives two lifetime achievement awards
AGMA presented David Goodfellow, president of Star SU and Sam Haines, CFO and chairman of Gear Motions, with the AGMA Lifetime Achievement award. This award is presented to someone who has demonstrated dedication and leadership for the advancement of the gear industry and AGMA, exemplified superior vision and exceptional knowledge that has been shared with colleagues, and achieved admiration and respect of peers. For full press releases, please visit: www.agma.org/resources/newsroom/press-releases/
AGMA announces Next Generation awards
AGMA announced two recipients for this year’s Next Generation Award. Maeve McGoff, sales & marketing coordinator at Cincinnati Gearing Systems and Benjamin Sheen with Eaton-Vehicle, won the award, and the announcement was made during the annual meeting in Naples.
This award is presented to someone who, while early in their career, is an emerging contributor, innovator, and leader in the gear industry. A
Next Generation award recipient demonstrates hard work and acts as a role model for others while having a positive impact on AGMA.
AGMA Foundation receives donation to endow new scholarship
The AGMA Foundation received a $100,000 donation from Linda and Bipin Doshi, formerly of Schafer Industries. The announcement to endow a scholarship award through the AGMA Foundation was made to members at the 2018 AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting. The $100,000 donation is the largest single gift received in the AGMA Foundation’s 22-year history. The Doshis have been active leaders with AGMA and AGMA Foundation boards for many years.
AGMA Presents Chairman’s Award at annual meeting
AGMA presented Jack Masseth of Meritor, Inc., with the AGMA Chairman’s Award during the AGMA/ABMA annual meeting in Naples, Florida. This award is presented to a recipient that has contributed greatly to the gear industry and has gone above and beyond the call of duty to support innovation and advancement through AGMA.
Upcoming Courses
International Course With Tour! Gear Manufacturing and Inspection
July 10-12, 2018 | Ontario, Canada
Learn key factors in the inspection process that lead to better design of gears. Develop a broad understanding of the methods used to manufacture and inspect gears. Discover how the resulting information can be applied and interpreted in the design process.
This course is accompanied by a tour of a gear manufacturer. The tour for 2018 will be at Ontario Drive and Gear.
Basic Training For Gear Manufacturing
September 11-14, 2018 | Chicago, 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, 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.
Fundamentals of Worm & Crossed Axial Helical Gearing
September 20-21, 2018 | Alexandria, Virginia (Come to AGMA Headquarters!)
Provides an introduction and emphasizes the differences between parallel (the experience base) axis and worm and crossed axis helical gears. Describe the basics of worm and crossed axis helical gears, their fundamental design principals, application guidelines and recommendations, lubrication requirement, a discussion of accuracy and quality, and summarize with a brief review of common failure modes.
