Gear Failure Analysis
Course Description
Format: In-person Course
Where: Detroit, MI – LIFT
Date: September 28-30, 2027
- Tuesday, September 28 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
- Wednesday, September 29 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
- Thursday, September 30 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
Intermediate Level
Explore gear failure analysis in this combination lecture and hands-on seminar where students not only see slides of failed gears but can hold and examine specimens with the same failure modes covered in the seminar. The course starts off with an introduction lecture on basic gear terminology and meshing action, however MPMA courses on basic gear design and metallurgy are available and recommended as prerequisites. The first 12 hours is lecture following Power Point presentations, and the remaining time has students in groups identifying failure modes on failed gears and working on a case study. A hard copy of all course materials is provided to each participant. Microscopes are available to examine failed specimens. The course follows ANSI/AGMA 1010-F14, “Appearance of Gear Teeth-Terminology of Wear and Failure”, covering 8 classes, 28 general modes and 29 specific modes of gear and bearing failure.
You will earn 18 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.
LIFT Disclaimer
Please note that this class will be held at the LIFT Facility in Detroit, Michigan, therefore we are subject to specific access and security regulations. As a result, attendance is limited to citizens of approved countries as determined by LIFT’s security policies. The approved country list as of November 2025 is as follows: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and Australia.
Individuals who are citizens of countries not included on the facility’s approved list will unfortunately not be permitted to attend this session. Participants will be required to provide citizenship information during registration to confirm eligibility for entry. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these requirements, which are in place to ensure compliance with facility and government regulations.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the primary and secondary failure modes
- Use the proper nomenclature to describe the morphology of gear failure
- Understand common tools and methods used in gear failure analysis
- Diagnose the root causes of failure
- Prescribe remedies to prevent repeat failures
- Use the AGMA textbook and other provided resources for ongoing study of gear failure analysis
- Tailor failure analysis techniques for their specific requirements
Who Should Attend
Suitable for gear engineers, gear/gearbox designers, users, researchers, maintenance technicians, lubricant experts, and managers as it highlights in great details what can go wrong.
Registration Rates
Member Rates
Early Bird First Registrant – $2,150
(Deadline until 7/6/27)
Regular First Registrant – $2,250
(Deadline: 7/7/27 – 8/31/27)
Late First Registrant – $2,300
(Deadline: 9/1/27 – 9/14/27)
Additional Registrants per Company Member receive a $200 discount per person
NON-MEMBER RATE
Early Bird First Registrant – $2,650
(Deadline until 7/6/27)
Regular First Registrant – $2,750
(Deadline: 7/7/27 – 8/31/27)
Late First Registrant – $2,800
(Deadline: 9/1/27 – 9/14/27)
Additional Registrants per Company Non-Member receive a $200 discount per person
Location
This course is taught at LIFT at 1400 Rosa Parks Blvd, Detroit, MI 48216.
Hotel Information
Discounted room rates at the Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Downtown are available for $229 per night and includes breakfast. The special rate is available until August 30. Book Your Room in the MPMA block.
Courtyard by Marriott Detroit Downtown
333 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Cutoff Date: August 30, 2027
By booking in the MPMA room block, you receive a variety of benefits, including guaranteed accommodations, better networking opportunities with your peers, special guest status at the host hotel, and flexible cancellation terms if your plans change. MPMA advises against booking hotel rooms through third party booking sites such as Hotels.com, as there may be hidden fees, limited flexibility, and fewer rewards. MPMA does not work with a housing company and only MPMA Staff will reach out to you with details regarding the room block; any other companies that reach out to you regarding room reservations may be fraudulent and are not endorsed by MPMA. If you need assistance with your accommodations or have issues with the booking link provided by MPMA, please contact [email protected].
Instructors
Lance Brown
Lance’s career started in 1992 as a mill and lathe machinist. His introduction to world of gearing began in 1997 with CGI, Inc in Carson City, Nevada. As the lead gear designer, he contributed many geared solutions to the medical (orthopedic and surgical robotics), defense, commercial/consumer, and robotics industries. He has collaborated with some of the world’s brightest minds and most talented engineers and designers to bring powerful solutions to life through advanced gear-train, and assembly design. Lance sat on several of AGMA’s (MPMA) technical committees and was a member of the Technical Division Executive Committee (TDEC). Lance’s role with MPMA as Senior Technical Instructor began on October 1st, 2025.
Photo Release
From time to time MPMA uses photographs, survey answers and testimonial of MPMA events in its promotional materials. Unless this permission is revoked in writing to the MPMA, by virtue of your attendance all attendees agree to the use of their likeness in such materials.
Cancellation and Payment Policy
Please view our cancellation policy.
Please view our late registration policy.
Please view our code of conduct.