I have never been much on looking back when it comes to work-related efforts — the future is ahead, and that’s what I can control, so it makes more sense to me to begin there and put everything I can into adding value.
As we found out in 2020 and 2021, the future comes at you fast when there is a global pandemic, then a global supply chain crisis, then economic and political turbulence, much less social turbulence in parts of the country.
I am proud of AGMA’s efforts to overcome the ripple effect of these challenges — a trade association mirrors the industry it serves, so yes, we felt the impacts just like our great members around the world.
But despite the challenges, we succeeded in holding MPT Expo — a much smaller event, but effective nonetheless.
And despite the challenges, we were able to pivot our education, and held 11 live, online training events, supporting the continued need for educated workers to support our industry’s growth.
And despite the challenges, our Fall Technical Meeting was held live and attracted the top global engineering talent needed to converse seriously about the many technical aspects of what our industry accomplishes for its customers.
I could go on and on about emerging technology white papers that are supporting our members future R&D efforts, how we made the Gear Market Report open and available for all members as part of their dues, how we continue to deliver technical news and information on our media platforms, and were able to publish technical standards in the aerospace sector and other markets.
But it’s time to look forward. It’s January, a natural time to stop, consider where we are going, and start the effort to move forward to reach whatever goals you are setting.
In 2022, AGMA will:
• Make long-term decisions for MPT Expo as we finalize our first ever tradeshow report, with significant input from hundreds of exhibitors, leaders, and attendees.
• Continue to pivot our education portfolio to ensure our members have the education tools they need, when they need them, from the technical leaders from which they choose to learn.
• Engage our industry with a brand-new online platform within our Media Division, including a new buyers guide, increased use of video, and webinars.
• Publish white papers on emerging technology topics including robotics and additive to help guide members in directions that are supportive of their customers’ needs.
• Publish standards and information sheets on critical areas covering the full gamut of technologies, including a major revision with the wind-turbines standard expected to be finalized in 2022.
• We will officially open the AGMA National Training Center with its new-to-AGMA equipment and training designed to support operator level training.
And we are also going back to visiting members to learn more about what everyone is doing in this post-COVID landscape. We are committing budget and personnel to get back out into the industry, meet face-to-face with our members, and connect them to programs that can support their teams.
It’s time to move forward! It’s January; it’s 2022, and time is moving forward, not backward. Come along with AGMA and continue to ensure we are meeting and exceeding your needs with programs and services that make an impact on your company.
We are here for you.
Upcoming Education
Fundamentals of Gear Design and Analysis
January 18-20 | Clearwater Beach, Florida
Gain a solid and fundamental understanding of gear geometry, types and arrangements, and design principles. Starting with the basic definitions of gears, conjugate motion and the Laws of Gearing, learn the tools needed to understand the inter-relation and coordinated motion operating within gear pairs and multi-gear trains. Basic gear system design process and gear measurement and inspection techniques will also be explained. In addition, the fundamentals of understanding the step-wise process of working through the iterative design process required to generate a gear pair will be reviewed. Learn the steps and issues involved in design refinement and some manufacturing considerations. An explanation of basic gear measurement techniques, how measurement equipment and test machines implement these techniques, and how to interpret the results from these basic measurements will also be covered.
Analytical Gear Chart Interpretation
February 10
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.
Detailed Gear Design
February 22-24
There is a distinct difference between “designing” a gear and “optimizing” a gear design. In this course, we will address the optimization process via an understanding of those factors beyond basic bending and pitting ratings. Optimization may focus on load capacity, economy of production, or minimization of overall gear system envelope. In this course, we will learn how to improve gear designs via optimization and gain new insight into concepts presented through illustrations and demonstrations. Explore all factors that go into good gear design from life cycle, load, torque, tooth, optimization, and evaluating consequences.
Networking
2022 Fall Technical Meeting Call for Papers
Deadline: January 14
It is required that all drafts of your paper be submitted electronically via the online portal as a Microsoft Word document. Read AGMA’s Guidelines for the Preparation of FTM Technical Papers to assist you in the preparation of your paper. Note: Please review the guidelines carefully even if you have previously presented an FTM paper, as various items have changed. Take a deep dive into the gear industry at AGMA’s Fall Technical Meeting (FTM). This meeting brings together top researchers from across the globe who will provide the latest information on their peer-reviewed gear industry research. Network with the industry experts, academics, and engineers; ask your burning questions; and see what is in the future of this industry.
AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting Speakers Announced
2022 AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting
March 31 – April 2 | Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
The exclusive, members-only meeting is back in person with an unparalleled lineup. From supply chain management to economic forecasts, this year’s meeting will host some of the greatest experts in the industry to speak directly to the gear and bearing leaders. There will even be a curated roundtable workshop for a hands-on experience that will leave you with great ideas to bring back for your strategic plan.
Speakers
- Ken Gronbach: Demographer, futurist, and author, KGC Direct.
- Jim Meil: Principal industry analyst and economist for ACT Research Co.
- Afshin Molavi: Director, emerge85 Lab, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
- Eric Orange: Executive vice president & chief operating officer, The Future Hunters.
- Zal Phiroz, Ph.D.: Business & supply chain expert, InsightEconomics.
- Joe Theismann: Entrepreneur, former quarterback, Washington Redskins, ESPN & NFL network analyst.
Register today: www.agma.org/events/agma-abma-annual-meeting
Calendar of Events
January 11 and 18 — Metals and Metallurgy Committee Meeting — WebEx
January 18-20 — Fundamentals of Gear Design and Analysis — Clearwater Beach, Florida
January 20 — Gear Accuracy Committee Meeting — WebEx
February 1 — Lubrication Committee — WebEx
February 9-10 — TDEC — Orlando, Florida
February 10 — Analytical Gear Chart Interpretation — WebEx
February 22-24 — Detailed Gear Design — WebEx
February 23 — Aerospace Committee Meeting — WebEx
February 24 — Metals and Metallurgy Committee Meeting — WebEx
March 1 — Gear Accuracy Committee Meeting — WebEx
March 2 — Lubrication Committee Meeting — WebEx
March 3 — Nomenclature Committee Meeting — WebEx
March 1-3 — Detailed Gear Design — Online
March 9-10 — Integration and Trade-offs in Gear and Bearing Systems — Virtual Course
March 22-24 — Gearbox CSI — Concordville, Pennsylvania
March 31-April 2 — AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting — Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
