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State of the Gear Industry 2026

The gear industry navigates uncertainty, finds pockets of strength, and bets on automation

Of the 137 respondents to our annual gear-industry survey, the message was clear: tariffs are the defining challenge of 2026. But the frustration runs deeper than the duties themselves. Manufacturers can absorb cost increases; they can’t absorb chaos. When rules shift weekly and exemptions evaporate overnight, planning becomes guesswork. One respondent captured the exhaustion: “In 2025, they were all over the place, without warning, up and down. Terribly disorganized.” Yet within this turbulence, distinct currents run strong. Defense and aerospace work has surged. Oil and gas, buoyed by loosened regulations, is “very active” according to multiple respondents, with mobile power units and gas compression driving demand. Overhaul and repair business is booming—when new equipment becomes expensive or hard to source, companies keep existing machines running longer, and that means gears.

¡Rápido!

With many of its precision gears produced in small lot sizes, Spanish gear producer Engranajes Juaristi S.L. depends on Gleason machines for exceptional speed and flexibility.

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Technical Articles

Morphology of FZG-A Test Gears

This study explores the failure mode morphology of FZG-A test gears. It aims to examine the orphologies of scuffing, scoring, scratches, and polishing using high-magnification light optical microscopy (LOM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images.

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Electric vs. Combustion: A Comparative Analysis of Gear Design for Commercial Vehicle Applications

This paper examines the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), highlighting the distinct gear design requirements for each and presenting a comparative case study of gearbox configurations in a 14-ton commercial vehicle.

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Prospects of Asymmetric Gears in EV Gearbox

The paper examines how optimizing asymmetric gear tooth geometry through Direct Gear Design can improve load capacity, efficiency, and compactness in EV gearboxes, surpassing the performance limits of conventional symmetric gears.

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A Review on Gear Transmission Error

This paper will review the development process, current research status, characteristics, functions, and measurement methods of TE. It will analyze the difficulties and core issues existing in the basic theory of TE, clarify the limitations and deficiencies of TE, and explore ways to overcome the shortcomings of TE.

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Design

The aim of this report is to investigate the potential of using surrogate models within the gear design process.

Grinding

Inspection

A combination of international regulations and consumer expectations is driving the demand for reduced noise on all drivetrain components. Further demand is driven by the growing trend towards EVs and HEVs, where noise from ICE is intermittent or no longer present, and the contribution of transmission noise to overall vehicle noise becomes dominant.

Heat Treating

Furnaces North America 2022 (FNA 2022), presented by the Metal Treating Institute (MTI), in partnership with its media partner, Heat Treat Today, is the heat-treating industry’s go-to event every other year. FNA 2022 attracted attendees from across North America, including Fortune 500 companies. For three days attendees took part in networking, connections, and learning about the vast changes taking place in emerging technologies, industry trends, and advances in equipment.

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Videos

Helios Gear Helps American Precision Gear Achieve Quality and Productivity

At American Precision Gear, quality isn’t just a priority — it’s the foundation of everything they do. The shop specializes in high-precision miniature gears for aerospace, defense, and medical applications, where the strictest tolerances are non-negotiable. Helios Gear Products partnered with American Precision Gear to integrate the MZ 1000 D-Drive into their production.

Industry News

Mazak Corp. will host its inaugural Discover More With Mazak Phoenix Open House event from April 28–29 at the Mazak Phoenix Technical Center. The event will feature live cutting demonstrations on a wide range of advanced machining technology, including Swiss-type production turning, Multi-Tasking, 5-axis and Kentucky-built vertical machining, and next-generation horizontal machining. Attendees will also meet with industry experts to discuss the latest innovations and insights. 

Product News

Rego-Fix USA developed its powRgrip system for stable toolholding when machining parts made from all types of materials. Whether machining firearms or tactical gear, the powRgrip’s press-fit toolholding delivers higher precision, with greater vibration damping for longer tool life and superior surface part finishes.

Calendar

AeroDef Manufacturing 2026

Apr 13, 2026 - Apr 16, 2026

In 2026, AeroDef Manufacturing is represented on the national stage by a multifaceted showcase at RAPID + TCT 2026.

Reliable Plant 2026

Jun 15, 2026 - Jun 18, 2026

Cleanpower 2026

Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 4, 2026

IMTS 2026

Sep 14, 2026 - Sep 19, 2026

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The Gear Industry Buyers Guide is your complete directory of suppliers in the gear industry, including great companies like these.


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