AGMA technical committees have completed another year of developing the standards and information sheets that help the gear industry operate effectively and efficiently. The development of these documents would not have been possible without the dedicated support and expertise that the AGMA membership provides to the association. The AGMA Technical Division Executive Committee would like to thank these individuals and their companies for all their hard work.
AGMA has always relied on the volunteerism and expertise of our membership to develop the technical standards and information sheets that continually advance the gear industry. Members of AGMA technical committees are the authors of the standards that benefit the gearing industry worldwide. These benefits are not limited to the users of these standards. Technical committee members and their companies find the opportunity to participate in the development of these documents professionally and intellectually beneficial. Each member of a technical committee can interact with and learn from his or her peers from all around the gear industry, as well as gain an intimate understanding of the information contained within the document being developed.
I recently had a conversation with a group of technical committee members. All of them have been on AGMA technical committees since at least the early 1990s. We discussed why they continue to participate on committees in their near-retirement and even post-retirement years. They jokingly talked about their spouses’ eyes instantly glazing over at the first mention of gears and how these meetings are the only place that they can talk to others with the same passion for gears. The conversation ended with the committee members discussing the sentiments of a late committee member. This member felt that the best way for him to share his knowledge was through his work on AGMA Technical Committees. He felt that writing his knowledge into a standard would ensure it would have greater visibility and longevity in the industry than in any other medium. This is the essence of why these committees are so important.
The majority of the technical committee meetings take place via web conferences, allowing participants to attend the meetings without significant disruptions to their day-to-day responsibilities. Most committees also meet at least once a year face-to-face to allow for a more intense focus on the work at hand and to facilitate meaningful networking opportunities.
Looking forward to 2018, there are several exciting projects being pursued by AGMA Technical Committees:
The Powder Metallurgy Committee is starting the revision of ANSI/AGMA 6008, Specifications for Powder Metallurgy Gears, where they will provide an in-depth understanding on how to specify PM gears and a discussion on aspects that make PM gears different from wrought gears.
The Helical Gear Rating Committee is continuing its revision of ANSI/AGMA 2101, Fundamental Rating Factors and Calculation Methods for Involute Spur and Helical Gear Teeth.
The Spline Committee is continuing its revision of the new spline application and design Information Sheet, AGMA 945.
A full listing of AGMA technical committees, including a scope of their activities, is in the Technical Committees section of the AGMA website, www.agma.org. For additional information about AGMA technical committees, standards and information sheets, or AGMA software, please contact the AGMA Technical Division at tech@agma.org. Make 2018 the year you can share your knowledge with the gearing industry!
Upcoming Education
AGMA is officially accredited! Grow your gear knowledge, work on your professional development, and earn CEUs from AGMA’s education courses. Check out the upcoming courses:
Gearbox CSI
March 20-22 | Concordville, Pennsylvania
In this course, you will gain a better understanding of various types of gears and bearings. Learn about the limitations and capabilities of rolling element bearings and the gears they support. Grasp and understand how to properly apply the best gear-bearing combination to any gearbox from simple to complex.
Basic Training For Gear Manufacturing
April 3-6 | 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, 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.
NEW! Marketing & Forecasting Webinar
May 17 | Webinar
Join AGMA and IHS Markit for the Spring Marketing & Forecasting Webinar. Tom Runiewicz will be giving the highlights of the Gear Market Report during the two-hour session. Get the benefits of the report from the comfort of your office chair. If there are any questions, please contact Jill Johnson at jill.johnson@agma.org.
The Latest Tech Deck Is Up!
AGMA’s Emerging Technology Committee is committed to identifying, investigating, and informing AGMA members of emerging technologies that may disrupt or make a significant impact on the gear manufacturing industry. Our committee posts the latest articles from the most knowledgeable resources out there for you to access in one place! These articles are collectively called AGMA’s Tech Deck. Check it out: https://www.agma.org/resources/emerging-technologies/
All Eyes On You! Write A Blog!
AGMA’s blog has been read thousands of times. Each entry is averaging more than 100 views. Have you or someone from your company be a part of this conversation and get your name out there. AGMA strives to bring gears into the conversation any way we can. With technologies changing and manufacturing at the forefront of this change, we want to make sure you have a way to get your thoughts out there. Consider putting those thoughts into a blog post for Gears Matter. We want to make sure we give you and others the best information we can. Contact brinkley@agma.org if you are interested.
Need an intern? We can help!
Students who contact AGMA for information on gear industry internships are referred to a list of companies on the AGMA Foundation’s internship webpage. These companies are reaching a motivated, qualified pool of applicants — free of charge. To list your company, email us at foundation@agma.org
AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting
New and exciting updates are happening to the Annual Meeting each week. We encourage members to check out the website and see all the incredible speakers and events we have for the 2018 Annual Meeting. Don’t miss out on the unparalleled lineup of presentations and fun activities planned for attendees. Members should visit www.agma.org/events/agma-abma-annual-meeting/ and sign up to be a part of one of the best networking events in the gear industry.
Thank you to all our current AGMA/ABMA sponsors
The Annual Meeting’s success relies on AGMA and ABMA members’ engagement. This meeting would not be the truly amazing event that it is without the sponsors. Thank you to the following companies that have signed up for sponsorships so far:
American Roller Bearing Company, Brelie Gear, Comer, Cotta Transmission, Croix Gear, Doppler Gear, Ellwood City Forge, Forest City Gear, Innovative Rack & Gear Co., Klingelnberg, Liebherr North America, McInnes Rolled Rings, Meritor, Naylor, NSK, Ovako, Pre-cision Plus, Reishauer, Schaeffler Group, Scot Forge, Somaschini, Star SU, Tsubaki Nakashima, and WFL Millturn Technologies.
Visit www.agma.org/events/agma-abma-annual-meeting/ to see the spaces available and fill out the sponsorship form to get started. Please contact Leah Lewis for any sponsorship inquiries at lewis@agma.org
