[advertisement]

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.

[advertisement]

Technical Articles

The Intrinsic Pitch Cones in Hypoid Gears

A method to calculate pitch cones for hypoid gears using macrogeometry parameters—similar to non-offset bevel gears—while accounting for the added complexity of hypoid offset, tooling, and cutting technology is explored in this paper.

.

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.

.

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.

.

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.

.

[advertisement]

Design

Thanks to material development and additive manufacturing opportunities, it’s important for the gear and power transmission industries to monitor the trends, technologies and future forecasts in the powder metal market.

Grinding

Manufacturing

As the gear and power transmission industries evolve, companies worldwide face a critical challenge: how to ensure the workforce is skilled, prepared, and ready to tackle increasingly complex manufacturing processes. From digital manufacturing and automation to generational turnover, the demand for technically proficient employees has never been higher. In response, the Motion + Power Technology Association (MPMA) redeveloped its Workforce Training Series, modernizing its most popular on-demand courses with updated content, high-quality media, and a flexible, self-paced delivery model.

[Sponsored Content]

Videos

If This Old Machine Can Be Automated, Yours Can Too

Productive Robotics sets the new standard for simplifying robotic automation. OB7 ensures simplicity in use and versatility, easy automation of existing production and new set-ups, increased output, consistency, and quality. It emphasizes teaching the robot rather than programming. Productive Robotics' OB7 collaborative robots are currently used in many diverse applications due to their simplicity, capability, and affordability.

Industry News

When Trent Maynard joined Global Shop Solutions in 2016, he brought with him an instinct for what manufacturers need, built from working alongside them. Ten years and four roles later, he's now director of product and engineering at the family-owned ERP provider, leading its AI initiatives and helping redefine what modern manufacturing software looks like. 

Product News

As cost pressure increases, manufacturers are being challenged not only to manage higher prices but also to rethink how cutting tools are designed, used and replaced. Tungaloy is addressing this challenge through tool architecture. The company emphasized using exchangeable-head solid carbide systems that reduce material consumption and environmental impact while achieving high machining performance. 

Calendar

WZL Gear Conference USA

Jul 15, 2026 - Jul 16, 2026

The WZL Gear Conference USA will take place on July 15 and 16, 2026, at KLINGELNBERG America, Inc. This renowned conference brings together North American companies with the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University and offers a compact overview of current developments and research topics in gear technology.

Sandvik Coromant Tech Days

May 6, 2026 - May 7, 2026

Gear Up for Precision Open House

Jun 9, 2026 - Jun 10, 2026

Fabtech Canada

Jun 9, 2026 - Jun 11, 2026

[advertisement]

Current Issue


Current Issue
Archives
Subscribe

Buyer's Guide

Cutting Tools Gear Blanks & Raw Material Gear Drives Gear Machines Gear Manufacturing Services Gears Grinding Wheels & Abrasive Tools Heat Treating Inspection Equipment Lubricants Machine Tools Resources Services Software Used Machinery Workholding & Toolholding

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


VIEW ALL