Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance™

Detailed Gear Design
2026-09-22 11:00 - 2026-10-01 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Course Description

Format: Live Online Virtual Training

Date: September 22-24 & September 29 – October 1, 2026

Tuesday, Sept. 22 – 11:00am-3:00pm CT

Wednesday, Sept. 23 – 11:00am-3:00pm CT

Thursday, Sept. 24 – 11:00am-3:00pm CT

Tuesday, Sept. 29 – 11:00am-3:00pm CT

Wednesday, Sept. 30 – 11:00am-3:00pm CT

Thursday, Oct. 1 – 11:00am-3:00pm CT

Detailed Gear Design

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 banding 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.

It is recommended that you spend a minimum of 1 hour reading and reviewing the material each day.

You will earn 24 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.

Learning Objectives

Improve their gear designs

Apply their understanding of gear rating theory and analysis methods

Investigate differences in stress states among various surface durability failure modes

Discuss time dependent and time independent failure modes related to tooth design

Use computer generated graphics to examine mesh action and tooth interaction

Discuss the concepts presented

Who Should Attend

Gear Engineers, gear designers, application engineers, people who are responsible for interpreting gear designs, technicians and managers that want to better understand all aspects of gear design.

Register now

Course outline (PDF)

Registration Rates

Member Rates

Early Bird Registrant – $1,950(Deadline until 7/8/26)

Regular Registrant – $2,050(Deadline: 7/9/26 – 8/25/26)

Late Registrant – $2,100(Deadline: 8/26/26 – 9/8/26)

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird Registrant – $2,450(Deadline until 7/8/26)

Regular Registrant – $2,550(Deadline: 7/9/26 – 8/25/26)

Late Registrant – $2,600(Deadline: 8/26/26 – 9/8/26)

Instructors

Raymond J. Drago, P.E.

Raymond J. Drago is Chief Engineer of Drive Systems Technology, Inc. (DST), a mechanical power transmission consulting organization that he founded in 1976. Mr. Drago also worked for the Boeing Company – Helicopters Division until his retirement after 37 years of service. Currently Mr. Drago is involved in the analysis, design, manufacture, assembly, and testing of many gear systems. In his role with DST, Mr. Drago is active in all areas of mechanical power transmission, including the design and analysis of drive systems in a very diverse field of application from heart pumps to very large mining & mill gears. He has used his 58 years of gear technology experience to prepare and deliver more than 150 Technical Papers and 385 courses dealing with various aspects of gear design and analysis.

I started working at Boeing in 1967 and continued until my retirement in 2004. I started Drive Systems Technology in 1976 as a part time activity while still working at Boeing (with Boeing’s knowledge and approval, under strict guidelines) which eventually grew to the point where I retired early from Boeing in order to pursue DST as a full-time activity.

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.

Basic Training for Gear Manufacturing
2026-09-28 12:00 - 2026-10-02 12:00 (America/New_York)
Course Description

Format: In-person Course

Where: Roselle, IL – NIDEC OKK USA Facility

Date: September 28 – October 2, 2026

Monday, September 28 – 12:00-5:00pm

Tuesday, September 29 – 8:00am-5:00pm

Wednesday, September 30 – 8:00am-5:00pm

Thursday, October 1 – 8:00am-5:00pm

Friday, October 2 – 8:00am-12:00pm

Basic Training for Gear Manufacturing

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. Utilizing 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.

You will earn 30 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.

Learning Objectives

Demonstrate understanding of the evolution, history, and function of gears.

Show and describe 14 gear tooth features.

Describe six typical gear characteristics that are measured.

Demonstrate knowledge of gauging vs. measurement.

Utilize and describe a variety of analysis methods.

Troubleshoot many of their own problems, because they fully understand the process.

Who Should Attend

Although the Basic Course is designed primarily for newer employees with at least six months’ experience in setup or machine operation, it has proved beneficial to quality control managers, sales representatives, management, and executives.

Register now

Course outline (PDF)

book your hotel room

Registration Rates

Member Rates

Early Bird First Registrant – $1,995(Deadline until 7/15/26)

Regular First Registrant – $2,195(Deadline: 7/16/26 – 8/31/26)

Late First Registrant – $2,295(Deadline: 9/1/26 – 9/14/26)

Additional Registrants per Company Member receive a $200 discount per person

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird First Registrant – $2,495(Deadline until 7/15/26)

Regular First Registrant – $2,695(Deadline: 7/16/26 – 8/31/26)

Late First Registrant – $2,795(Deadline: 9/1/26 – 9/14/26)

Additional Registrants per Company Non-Member receive a $200 discount per person

Location

This course is taught at the NIDEC OKK USA Facility at 101 S. Gary Ave. Unit B, Roselle, IL 60172

Hotel information

Discounted room rates at the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Bloomingdale are available for $144 per night. The special rate is available until August 30. Book Your Room in the MPMA block.

Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Bloomingdale275 Knollwood DriveBloomingdale, IL 60108

Cutoff Date: August 30, 2026

Book Hotel Room

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 events@motionpower.org.

Instructors

Peter Grossi

Peter Grossi has been involved in gear manufacturing since 1977. He has more than 13 years of experience in gear cutting machine operations, including Large Gear hobbers, Fellows Shapers, and Gleason Straight & Spiral Bevel Gear cutting machines. Grossi also has more than 26 years of experience in gear manufacturing management, including supervision of gear cutting machine operations, gear grinding machine operations, & quality assurance. He has worked with a variety of companies in the industry, including: Brad Foote Gear Works, Arrow Gear Co. Philadelphia Gear Corp, and AGMA.

Dwight Smith

Dwight Smith, Vice President with Nidec Machine Tool America, has a wide range of experience in gear manufacturing, workholding, metrology, analysis, and project management. He has been developing and presenting Gear Basic training sessions globally since 1989. Smith serves as chairman of the AGMA Nomenclature Committee and is an instructor for the Basic Gear School for MPMA.

Robert Wasilewski

Robert Wasilewski has over forty six years experience with the Arrow Gear Company. Starting as a Manufacturing Engineer, promoted to Design Engineer, then Sr. Project Engineer and finally Engineering Manager.

His experience is in the Design and Manufacture of High Performance Bevel and Cylindrical gears and gearboxes. Applications included Aircraft Engines, Helicopters, Machine Tools, Printing Press, Robots, Medical, Vehicles and Agriculture. He has been the Chairman of the AGMA Bevel Gearing Committee since 1990.

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.
