Q&A with Curt Christensen
Please tell us a little about yourself and your role at Fanuc America.
I have been with Fanuc for over 25 years in a variety...
Micropitting
Micropitting is a gear failure mode that typically occurs when higher contact stresses are applied to hardened gear teeth. Unlike most other failure modes,...
Recruiting Millennials
If you’ve attended any industry function lately, you’ve noticed that conversations invariably include discussions about the shortage of skilled gear designers and the difficulty...
Trend Talks: Cost Savings
For many customers, saving money isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. So when companies can offer options that can cut costs as a...
Workforce Development
How many times have we heard, “Our company is only as good as our people.” Yet more often than not, the majority of the...
Q&A with David Senkfor
Each issue, a Gear Solutions editor talks with experienced leaders from companies across the industry to learn about their offerings, philosophy, technology, processes, and...
Distortion Engineering of Gears
The causes for distortion of gears are complex and the heat treatment process has been named as a main contributing factor . However, the...
Q&A with Randy Schuster
Please tell me a little about your background.
I’ve been in manufacturing for over 30 years, and I’m a mechanical engineer by trade. My early...
The Elimination of Part Break-In by Isotropic Superfinishing
Precision metallic components undergo a number of manufacturing processes that can include milling, grinding, and honing as a part of final surface preparation. A...
Developing Your Gear Design Team
Translating your customer’s needs into a product requires a well-rounded and practical approach that balances four key areas: engineering expertise, the ever-changing technological advances...
Trend Talks: Wind Turbine Gearboxes
The American wind energy industry has come a long way since the first large utility-scale turbines were installed in California 35 years ago. According...
Automotive Fuel Efficiency Standards and the Impact from Gears
In 2010, President Obama established a course of direction for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) to set...
Variables for Quality Design: The Manufacturing Process
In the May Tooth Tips column, we covered design — the third major element that dictates the ultimate performance of the required gearing. In...
Trend Talks: Machine Repairs
Repairs are one thing that gear manufacturers hope to avoid, especially when it comes to their large, expensive gearing machines. However, many of the...
Surface Properties
Proper selection of steel and its heat treatment is a fundamental challenge for gear designers and manufacturers. However, performance and endurance limits of the teeth...
Q&A with Mary Ellen Doran
You just returned from the AGMA Annual Meeting on May 12-14 in Florida. What was the focus of this year’s meeting?
This meeting was unlike...
Wind Turbine Gear Repair
Wind turbine gearbox durability has improved significantly over the past ten years. The days of early gearbox failure due to epidemic micropitting are largely...
Variables for Quality Design: The Design Process
In the April Tooth Tips column, we covered specifications — the second major element that dictates the ultimate accuracy of gearing and how well...
Trend Talks: Training
Last month, I discussed the role that education plays in the gear manufacturing industry and provided examples of industry associations and companies that are...
Deep Nitriding for Gear Applications and Their Partial Treatments
Stress conditions inside gear teeth are complex and require a careful examination by the designer before any specific surface treatment of the gears should...
