Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance™

Aerospace Gearing committee
2026-09-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Subject:

Aerospace gear materials and heat treat

Location:

Virtual

AGMA 950-Axx WG
2026-09-15 12:00 - 14:00
Subject:

Wind Turbine gearbox visual inspection

Location:

Virtual

AGMA 1104-Bxx WG
2026-09-10 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Shaper cutter tolerances

Location:

Virtual

AGMA 913-Bxx WG
2026-09-09 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-23 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Basic rack and profile shift

Location:

Virtual

ABMA 601-Axx WG
2026-09-08 14:00 - 16:00
Subject:

Wind turbine bearing failure atlas

Location:

Virtual

AGMA 1013-Axx WG
2026-09-08 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Metallurgical terms for gears

Location:

Virtual

High-Speed Gearing Committee
2026-09-03 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

New project – fluid film bearings

Location:

Virtual

AGMA 1010-Gxx WG
2026-09-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-29 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Gear wear and failure

Location:

Virtual

Sound and Vibration Committee
2026-09-01 14:00 - 16:00
Subject:

Condition Monitoring

Location:

Virtual

How to Read and Interpret a Gear Inspection Report
2026-09-01 10:00 - 2026-09-02 14:00
Course Description

Format: Live Online Virtual Training

Date: September 1-2, 2026

Tuesday, September 1 – 10:00am-2:00pm CT

Wednesday, September 2 – 10:00am-2:00pm CT

How to Read a Gear Interpretation Report

This new and expanded one-day online course is intended to provide you with a thorough understanding of the attributes of a gear and its design are critical to ensure the required operation and function of the gear system as expected. The features and attributes of importance to function of the gear system will be discussed and explained in terms of how to measure and inspect them. We will cover measurement techniques and inspection interpretations as a precursor to the operation of a Gear Measurement Machine (GMM). We will also explore the differences and similarities between a GMM and Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM).Building on the objectives of measurement and inspection techniques, we will transition to reading and interpreting a typical gear inspection report. Specifically, we will look at the contents and meaning of the information contained within the gear charts on the drawings, as well as the techniques used by the gear measurement system to assess gear quality. 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 be covered. We will also discuss how to interpret the results and what corrective actions may be considered if the quality of a particular gear is unsatisfactory.

You will earn 8 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.

Register now

Course outline (PDF)

Registration Rates

MEMBER RATE

Early Bird Registrant – $600(Deadline until 6/18/26)

Regular Registrant – $650(Deadline: 6/19/26 – 8/4/26)

Late Registrant – $675(Deadline: 8/5/26 – 8/18/26)

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird Registrant – $700(Deadline until 6/18/26)

Regular Registrant – $750(Deadline: 6/19/26 – 8/4/26)

Late Registrant – $775(Deadline: 8/5/26 – 8/18/26)

Learning Objectives

Describe the measurement and inspection techniques used to qualify a gear

Explain the major contributing factors to gear quality

Describe in detail the practical gear measurement and inspection techniques

Categorize the common tools and equipment used to measure and inspect gears

Discuss some of the new and automated gear design systems

Who Should Attend

This course can be for anyone working with or interested in learning about gear charts. Prior to attending this course it would be helpful if you were familiar and conversant with the AGMA Nomenclature standard and the Fundamentals of Gearing resource, both of which are readily available to anyone and free to MPMA members.

Instructor

William “Mark” McVea, PhD, P.E.

Dr. William Mark McVea, P.E., is currently President and Principal Engineer of KBE+, Inc. where he and his team design and develop complete powertrains for automotive and off-highway vehicles. His experience includes positions within the mechanical drive and powertrain industry. Chief Technology Officer for an industry leader in the design and development of patented powertrain engineering technology used primarily in the automotive industry; Professor of Vehicle Dynamics and Powertrain Sciences in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Rochester Institute of Technology; adjunct professor at Purdue University in their Automotive Sciences Department; and was manager of the CAE group within a tier-one powertrain supplier to global automotive markets, a consulting engineer in vehicle dynamics, and a project manager of traction systems for off-highway vehicles as well. In addition, he has extensive publication on transmission systems, automated design assistant systems, knowledge systems and knowledge-based engineering in general. He also holds or is listed as co-inventor on numerous patents related to mechanical power transmissions. Mark holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, a PhD in Design Engineering from Purdue University and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

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.

AGMA 924-Axx WG
2026-09-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-22 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Gear materials and heat treatment

Location:

Virtual

AGMA 951-Axx WG
2026-08-27 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Gear surface texture measurement

Location:

Virtual

Flexible Couplings Committee
2026-08-20 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Reaffirmations, project management

Location:

Virtual

Bearing Technical Committee
2026-08-18 14:00 - 16:00

Gearbox Systems Design
2026-08-18 12:00 - 2026-08-27 16:00
Course Description

Format: Live Online

Date: August 18-20 & 25-27, 2026

Tuesday, August 18 – 11:00-3:00pm CT

Wednesday, August 19 – 11:00-3:00pm CT

Thursday, August 20 – 11:00-3:00pm CT

Tuesday, August 25 – 11:00-3:00pm CT

Wednesday, August 26 – 11:00-3:00pm CT

Thursday, August 27 – 11:00-3:00pm CT

Gearbox Systems Design: The Rest of the Story…Everything but the Gears & Bearings

This course focuses the supporting elements of a gearbox that allow gears and bearings to do their jobs most efficiently. Learn about seals, lubrication, lubricants, housings, breathers, and other details that go into designing gearbox systems.

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

Learning Objectives

Describe types of housing construction, housing elements (covers, inspection ports, sump, mounting, etc.).

Apply drawing practices for housings and related components.

Bearing mounting, retention and sealing.

Describe election and role of gearbox accessories, such as breathers, filters, screens, sight gages, and other level indication devices.

Apply the appropriate lubricant selection.

Apply the lubricant to the rotating elements.

Describe the selection criteria concerning the basic lubricant chemistry.

Discuss drawing practices and tolerancing from the designers’ perspective.

Learn about translating the general design from the design manual to the individual component drawings.

Register now

Course outline (PDF)

Registration Rates

Member Rates

Early Bird Registrant – $1,950(Deadline until 6/4/26)

Regular Registrant – $2,050(Deadline: 6/5/26 – 7/21/26)

Late Registrant – $2,100(Deadline: 7/22/26 – 8/4/26)

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird Registrant – $2,450(Deadline until 6/4/26)

Regular Registrant – $2,550(Deadline: 6/5/26 – 7/22/26)

Late Registrant – $2,600(Deadline: 7/22/26 – 8/4/26)

Who Should Attend

Gear design engineers; management involved with the design and manufacture of gearing type components; metallurgists and materials engineers; laboratory technicians; quality assurance technicians; furnace design engineers; and equipment suppliers.

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.

Steve Cymbala

Steve Cymbala has served as Senior Drives Engineer for Drive Systems Technology, Inc. for more than 40 years. In this capacity, Steve performs gearbox design functions as well as client drawing reviews prior to placement of orders. He performs field gearbox failure investigations as well as witnessing various Non-Destructive Examination inspections at gear manufacturing facilities on behalf of DST, Inc. clients. Steve was an employee of the Boeing Company for 34 years where he held a position of Staff Engineer.

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.

AGMA 908-Cxx WG
2026-08-18 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Gear I and J factor

Location:

Virtual

ABMA 601-Axx WG
2026-08-13 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Wind Turbine bearing failure

Location:

Virtual

Accuracy & Nomenclature Committee
2026-08-11 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

ISO TAG activity, WG management

Location:

Virtual

Essential Concepts of Bearing Technology
2026-08-04 08:00 - 2026-08-06 17:00
Course Description

Format: In-person Course

Where: Charlotte, NC

Date: August 4-6, 2026

Tuesday, August 4 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET

Wednesday, August 5 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET

Thursday, August 6 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET

Essential Concepts of Bearing Technology

This course is specially designed for engineers and others with technical backgrounds that have had limited exposure to rolling element bearings and need to adapt their technical training to bearings or seek an upgrade to their technical knowledge. The Essentials Course focuses on understanding basic internal geometry, tribology, bearing attributes and applications and explores the basic concepts around manufacturing methods, loads, internal load contacts, lubrication and failure.

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

Learning Objectives

Basic understanding of the different types of rolling element bearings and their applications.

Basic understanding bearing loading types and their sources.

Understanding of the load distribution within bearings and resulting contact stresses.

Understanding the types of internal stresses and bearing load ratings.

Understanding of why bearings fail.

Understanding of how lubricant films are developed in the rolling element contacts.

Understanding of the importance of lubrication on bearing life.

Basic understanding of bearing deflections and preload.

Understanding of bearing life calculations used in standards.

Introduce bearing materials and standards overview.

Who Should Attend

Those wanting to learn about rolling bearing technology beyond what is available in general catalogs. A basic understanding of mechanical principles, bearing terminology and bearing fundamentals required. Suggested attendees include new bearing application hires, bearing design, bearing users, customer technical support, sales and marketing management, manufacturing and quality control.

Register now

Course outline (PDF)

book your hotel room

Registration Rates

Member Rates

Early Bird First Registrant – $2,350(Deadline until 5/21/26)

Regular First Registrant – $2,450(Deadline: 5/22/26 – 7/7/26)

Late First Registrant – $2,500(Deadline: 7/8/26 – 7/21/26)

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

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird First Registrant – $2,650(Deadline until 5/21/26)

Regular First Registrant – $2,750(Deadline: 5/22/26 – 7/7/26)

Late First Registrant – $2,800(Deadline: 7/8/26 – 7/21/26)

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

Location

Hotel Information

Embassy Suites by Charlotte Uptown401 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd.Charlotte, NC 28202

You can book your room at the discounted rate of $179 per night. The hotel cut-off date is July 13, 2026.

Hotel Information

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

Dan Snyder

Dan Snyder has over 50 years experience in the bearing field. He has extensive experience with the design, application, life and performance analysis, lubrication, testing and failure analysis of rolling element bearings.

Mr. Snyder was a registered professional engineer and the author of various technical publications and industry trade publication articles. He has worked on various ISO Working Groups for rolling bearings and currently is a member of the ABMA’s Technical Adversary Groups for ISO (TAG) and ANSI (B3).. He is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Tribology and Lubrication Engineers.

Mr. Snyder has worked for the Timken Company and SKF USA Inc. and has had his own consulting business, Bearing and Lubes Consulting, LLC, since retiring from SKF as Director of Application Engineering. He has been an instructor and consultant for ABMA courses for several years.

Dr. Tim Ovaert

Dr. Tim Ovaert is currently a professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. In addition to teaching mechanical engineering design, reliability engineering, and tribology, he conducts research on materials characterization, materials for tribological applications, and manufacturing.

Tim Ovaert received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois-Urbana and his Master of Engineering Management and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University. His industry experience includes serving as Plant Engineer at the DuraBar Division of Wells Manufacturing Company. Previously.He has served as a technical consultant to more than twenty-five medium to Fortune 100 companies. He was named a National Young Investigator by the National Science Foundation, and is the recipient of the Ralph R. Teetor Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Burt L. Newkirk Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Ovaert has served as an associate editor for the ASME Trans., Journal of Tribology, and as the Chair of the ASME/STLE International Joint Tribology Conference. He is the author and/or co-author of over 120 technical publications, and is a Fellow of the ASME.

Lavern (Vern) D. Wedeven

Vern Wedeven is president of Wedeven Associates, Inc., Edgmont, PA a specialty, high tech, entrepreneurial company devoted to tribology research and development. He and his associates have developed specialized tribology test machines, test methodologies and analysis tools that link fundamental principles of tribology to service applications. Wedeven Associates Machine (WAM) technology provides tribology research capability for major bearing companies, military laboratories and research institutes. He is involved in major research projects and consulting that serve aerospace and other industries.

Vern Wedeven is a graduate of Calvin College (BS), University of Michigan (BSME) and Imperial College, London, Ph.D. Previous employment includes NASA Glenn Res Ctr., NASA Hdqts and SKF-America. He is the author of over seventy technical papers in the area of tribology and several chapters in reference books. He holds three patents and is the recipient of several awards from STLE, ASME and SAE.

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.

Fundamentals of Worm and Crossed Axial Helical Gearing
2026-08-04 08:00 - 2026-08-06 17:00
Course Description

Format: In-person Course

Where: Charlotte, NC

Date: August 4-6, 2026

Tuesday, August 4 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET

Wednesday, August 5 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET

Thursday, August 6 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET

Fundamentals of Worm and Crossed Axial Helical Gearing

This course is intended to be both an overview of worm and wheel gearing, as well as an introduction to the application, design considerations, practical development techniques for manufacturing, and finally how best to apply worm and wheel technology. We will cover some design development, lubrication considerations, and failure modes and causes.

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

Learning Objectives

Gain a basic appreciation for worm and wheel technology

Understand the reasoning behind the application of this technology

Be able to surmise the design requirements of worm and wheel gearing as a function of the application

Understand lubrication requirements and articulate those to the gearbox designer

Benefit from a review of failures and failure modes

Who Should Attend

Anyone interested in worm and wheel technology will benefit from this course. From someone with a basic understanding of parallel or bevel gearing, but with no experience with worm and wheel technology, to those who have worked with this technology but would appreciate a deeper insight into the actual practice of their development and use.

Register now

Course outline (PDF)

Book Your Hotel Room

Registration Rates

Member Rates

Early Bird First Registrant – $2,150(Deadline until 5/21/26)

Regular First Registrant – $2,250(Deadline: 5/22/26 – 7/7/26)

Late First Registrant – $2,300(Deadline: 7/8/26 – 7/21/26)

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

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird First Registrant – $2,650(Deadline until 5/21/26)

Regular First Registrant – $2,750(Deadline: 5/22/26 – 7/7/26)

Late First Registrant – $2,800(Deadline: 7/8/26 – 7/21/26)

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

Location

Hotel Information

Embassy Suites by Charlotte Uptown401 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd.Charlotte, NC 28202

You can book your room at the discounted rate of $179 per night. The hotel cut-off date is July 13, 2026.

Hotel Information

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

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.

AGMA 6122-Exx WG
2026-07-30 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Wormgearing

Location:

Virtual

Technical Division Executive Committee
2026-07-28 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Committee management

Location:

Virtual

Operator Gear Grinding
2026-07-21 10:00 - 2026-07-22 14:00
Course Description

Format: Live Online Course

Date: July 21-22, 2026

Tuesday, July 21 – 10:00-2:00pm CT

Wednesday, July 22 – 10:00-2:00pm CT

Operator Gear Grinding

Explore precision gear grinding processes, machine input variables, kinematics and Gear Geometry in Part A, Grinding Simulator, machine alignment, setup errors, pitfalls, common gear fatigue failures and expectations related to finish ground gearing in Part B. Learn definitions of gearing component features, application loads and process steps from blanking, through heat treatment to finished part ready to ship. Study aspects of Quality Assurance, Inspection Documentation and corrective actions for measured non-conformances. Understand pre-heat treat, heat treatment distortion and post heat treatment operations including the how’s and why’s to produce finished gears that conform and perform to end user expectations. Calculate gear form grinding cycle times for real life examples for various accuracy levels on commercially available software.

The Operator Level courses are made possible through the generous support of the AGMA Foundation. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in educating the industry!

This course is online. A webcam on your computer equipped with a microphone and speakers/headset are required for participation. Space is limited to 20-25 participants per course. Course materials will be mailed in hard copy. Please make sure to indicate your preferred mailing address in the registration process.

Register now

Course outline (PDF)

Registration Rates

Early Bird Registrant – $600(Deadline until 5/7/26)

Regular Registrant – $650(Deadline: 5/8/26 – 6/23/26)

Late Registrant – $675(Deadline: 6/24/26 – 7/7/26)

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird Registrant – $700(Deadline until 5/7/26)

Regular Registrant – $750(Deadline: 5/8/26 – 6/23/26)

Late Registrant – $775(Deadline: 6/24/26 – 7/7/26)

You will earn 8 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.

Learning Objectives

Be able to ask questions of gear designers and manufacturing engineers to acquire all information required to produce conforming finished gears

Understand basic and advanced gear tooth geometry, loads and target accuracy

Review and challenge control of part datums through 5 gear processing steps, use datum’s consistently through all operations given part process prints

Anticipate and correct for part distortion during heat treatment knowing the actual heat treatment process used.

Understand gear geometry and typical field failures, achieve compliance with finished parts to meet print requirements and customer performance expectations

Select tooth grinding parameters Qw, metal removal rate and Vw, volumetric limit for dressing given part print, heat treatment and grinding wheel specification used

Understand gear grinding kinematics for both form and generating machines

Learn about gear performance optimization techniques used to optimize power density

Accurately measure pre and post finish gear tooth Helix, Profile and tooth thickness given finished tooth geometry specifications and modifications calculated from Loaded Tooth Contact Analysis

Review calculations on form grinding cycle times based on various target accuracies, Qw material removal rate, Vw volumetric limit for dressing and grinding techniques

Avoid and detect the presence of Twist Error

Avoid and detect presence of grind burn temper

Avoid typical gear fatigue failure modes, bending fracture, macro-pitting and micro-pitting resulting from improper tooth finishing

Identify common non-conformances, causes and re-create them on gear grinder models, apply problem solving techniques and corrective actions suggested in trouble shooting guide provided with course material”

Who Should Attend

This course would be of interest to both entry and high level generating and form gear grind operators, inspectors, process Engineers and quality assurance people who need to better understand why and how gear designs are optimized and how to work with non-standard gear geometry. The course would also benefit pre-finishing operators by understanding part datum control and subsequent gear finishing processes. Participants can also gain insight on how improper finishing techniques can contribute to premature gear failures. Entry level gear designers, process and manufacturing engineers can develop a basic understanding of gear finishing cycles, cycle times and cost. Gear manufacturing project managers and production managers can develop a better understanding of time required to set up and finish high performance gear sets that will meet or exceed application expectations.

Instructors

Terry Klaves

Terry Klaves semi-retired from the Milwaukee Gear Division of Regal Beloit in 2017 after 45 years of work in the gearing industry with four different companies, positions varying from gear engineer to VP of Engineering and responsibilities including gear design, optimization, manufacturing and Quality Assurance. He has a passion for solving gearing related problems and continues to serve the gearing industry as part time consultant and trainer for AGMA, in addition, he is Chairman of the AGMA TC-60 Committee, contributing to development of ISO gearing standards. Terry graduated with a BS-Engineering in 1976 and a MS-Engineering from UW-Milwaukee in 1981 and enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for gears through formal consulting and training activities.

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 Loaded Tooth Contact Analysis Theory
2026-07-16 10:00 - 14:00
Course Description

Format: Live Online Virtual Training

Date: July 16, 2026

Thursday, July 16 – 10:00-2:00pm CT

Loaded Tooth Contact Analysis Theory

Evaluation of loaded tooth contact and development of tooth modifications using commercially available software to improve and apply a realistic load distribution factor Km in gear rating calculations. Two real life gearing examples will be presented in the course, one will have a cantilever mounted pinion, the other a shaft pinion straddled non-symmetrically by bearings. Both examples demonstrate component deflections under load which significantly reduce tooth mesh contact which is then corrected with developed helix and profile modifications. Other gear performance optimization tools will also be presented, Material and Heat Treatment Selection, Profile Shift, Isotropic Finishing, Shot Peening, Accuracy. These design tools along with LTCA are commonly applied by gear designers to optimize design reliability and calculated rating safety factors.

This course is online. A webcam on your computer equipped with a microphone and speakers/headset are required for participation. Space is limited to 20-25 participants per course. Course materials will be mailed in hard copy. Please make sure to indicate your preferred mailing address in the registration process.

Register now

Course outline (PDF)

Registration Rates

Early Bird Registrant – $350(Deadline until 5/2/26)

Regular Registrant – $375(Deadline: 5/3/26 – 6/18/26)

Late Registrant – $390(Deadline: 6/19/26 – 7/2/26)

NON-MEMBER RATE

Early Bird Registrant – $450(Deadline until 5/2/26)

Regular Registrant – $475(Deadline: 5/3/26 – 6/18/26)

Late Registrant – $490(Deadline: 6/19/26 – 7/2/26)

You will earn 4 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.

Learning Objectives

Identify the need for contact analysis and describe the theory behind the contact analysis process.

Model the loaded gear mesh shafts, bearings and gear geometry in commercially available dedicated gearing “FEA” software to calculate magnitude and direction of tooth deflections and deformations.

Develop tooth profile and helix modifications that compensate for tooth deflections, reducing transmission error and optimizing power density.

Describe the tools and processes of contact analysis.

Review cantilever pinion example of contact analysis and corrective action.

Review non-symmetrical bearing mounted shaft pinion example of contact analysis and corrective action.

Present contact analysis Do’s and Don’ts.

Review other gear performance optimization tools.

Who Should Attend

This course would be of interest to high level gear grind operators, inspectors and quality assurance people who need to better understand why and how gear designs are optimized and how to interpret non-standard gear geometry. They can also gain insight on how improper finishing techniques can contribute to pre-mature gear failures. Entry level gear designers, process and manufacturing engineers can develop a basic understanding of gear geometry terms and variables. Gear manufacturing project managers can develop a better understanding of time required to design and optimize a gearset that is cost effective and meets or exceeds application expectations.

Instructors

Terry Klaves

Terry Klaves semi-retired from the Milwaukee Gear Division of Regal Beloit in 2017 after 45 years of work in the gearing industry with four different companies, positions varying from gear engineer to VP of Engineering and responsibilities including gear design, optimization, manufacturing and Quality Assurance. He has a passion for solving gearing related problems and continues to serve the gearing industry as part time consultant and trainer for AGMA, in addition, he is Chairman of the AGMA TC-60 Committee, contributing to development of ISO gearing standards. Terry graduated with a BS-Engineering in 1976 and a MS-Engineering from UW-Milwaukee in 1981 and enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for gears through formal consulting and training activities.

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.

AGMA 908-Cxx WG
2026-07-16 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Gear J-factor calculations

Location:

Virtual

AGMA 1013-Axx WG
2026-07-15 10:00 - 12:00
Subject:

Metallurgical terms and definitions

Location:

Virtual
