Forest City Gear announced Turning Lead Josh P. Gates has joined Rock Valley College as an adjunct professor. Gates teaches two courses under the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program: MET 111 CNC Machine Setup/Operation/Programming and MET 226 CNC/CAM Operations I. Both courses are required to complete the Rock River Valley Tooling & Machining Association (RRVTMA) CNC Precision Machinist Journeyman Apprenticeship.

As a community, we gear engineers collaborate and share ideas to progress our collective capability. Technology progresses based on our efforts, and we have seen solid advances in the performance of our products as they become quieter, cheaper, more efficient, and more power dense. The pages of this magazine (past and present editions) are filled with examples where talented engineers have dug deeper into a subject using a more precise approach to a particular area concerning gear performance. The implied belief is always that greater precision (complexity) in the calculations brings greater accuracy (alignment with reality).

Training has quickly evolved in recognition of the new realities of the factory floor. The training tool kit has never been more diverse or effective. Training regimens today, at the best companies, are analogous to those of the most successful professional sports or Olympic teams. Instead of weight room, nutrition, and practice, workers use digital webinars, simulations, and classrooms. If modern training tools and techniques result in faster, higher, and stronger on the athletic field, they also produce faster, smarter, and better for companies seeking a competitive edge in the marketplace.

OK, audience. I’m going to divide you into two groups. Everybody whose company is a member of AGMA, please move over to the left-hand side of the room, and everybody else, please move over to the right.

The AGMA Foundation announces changes to its Board of Trustees at the AGMA Members' Meeting during the 2024 Annual Meeting in Napa, CA. “The Foundation continues to serve the gear industry by providing funding through their four pillars: education, workforce, scholarship, and emerging technology,” stated Executive Director, Mary Ellen Doran. “These new Trustees will help us make key decisions in how we can have a greater impact on the workforce over the next three years. I look forward to their contributions.”

The American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) announces changes to its Board of Directors at the AGMA Members' Meeting during the Annual Meeting in Napa, CA. “AGMA would not be where it is today without the passion and diligence of its Board of Directors,” said Matthew E. Croson, President, AGMA. “I want to thank the outgoing Directors for their wisdom and guidance during the pandemic and for helping AGMA maneuver through the tough economic conditions that followed. I have full confidence in our new Directors as AGMA focuses on programs to improve the gear industry at home and forge new partnerships with like-minded associations and organizations abroad.”

B&D Industrial, a leading independent distributor and service provider specializing in industrial applications, is thrilled to announce the recent acquisition of American Gear & Engineering, Inc. (American Gear), a premier gear manufacturing organization located in Westland, MI. This strategic move marks a significant step in B&D Industrial's commitment to vertical integration, enabling the company to provide an expanded range of offerings and greater value to its customers.  

Join Gleason's special online event to learn about the design, manufacturing, and inspection of e-drive gears. This four-day event, March 11–14, features one topic per day, addressing the specific requirements and challenges of e-drive transmission design, manufacture, and inspection, with particular attention to minimizing gear noise. The E-Drive Days are an excellent opportunity for newcomers and experts alike.

Forest City Gear, an industry-leading manufacturer of fine and medium pitch custom gears, is pleased to host a manufacturing facility tour for Rock River Valley Machining and Tooling Association (RRVTMA) on Wednesday, February 28 at 5 PM.  

Gear Technology’s annual State-of-the-Gear-Industry survey polls gear manufacturers about the latest trends and opinions relating to the overall health of the gear industry. As in years past, the survey was conducted anonymously, with invitations sent by email to our subscribers, AGMA members, and others in the gear industry. Primarily, our responses come from North America, but they also include responses from around the world. Nearly 200 individuals responded to the survey.