Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas. In some ways, the design of a gearbox system is much like a Hollywood movie production in that the "stars" seem to get all of the recognition while the "supporting cast" gets barely a mention. In a gearbox system, the stars are the gears and bearings while the supporting cast is everything else in the system, including seals, lubrication, lubricants, housings, breathers, and a myriad of other details that allow and facilitate the proper operation of the "stars" (gears and bearings).  This seminar, instructed by Raymond J. Drago, P.E. & Steve Cymbala, Drive Systems Technology, Inc., addresses this gearbox system supporting cast of characters.

The treatment starts with the basics including some history of design, the environment in which the gearbox must "live" and the loading to which the system will be subjected in service including starting/stopping, continuous, reversing, cyclic and possible errant loads conditions.

The concept of a detailed "design Bible" will be introduced and explained as the basis for the overall design and analysis. The specific elemental topics to be treated, weighing their individual pros and cons, include:

• Types of housing construction
• Drawing practices for housings and related components
• Housing elements (covers, inspection ports, sump, mounting, etc.)
• Bearing mounting, retention and sealing
• Selection and role of gearbox accessories such as breathers, filters, screens, sight gages and other level indication devices
• Appropriate lubricant selection
• Application of the lubricant to the rotating elements
• Selection criteria concerning the basic lubricant chemistry

Since the best design is only as good as its implementation, drawing practices and tolerances will also be addressed from the designer's perspective. This includes the translation of the general design from the "design Bible" to the individual component drawings required to produce an optimized operating gearbox.

The seminar costs $1,895 for AGMA Members and $2,395 for nonmembers. Class size is limited to the first 40 participants, and registration closes April 20. Register online www.agma.org or download and fax the registration form to AGMA at (703) 684-0242.

A special room rate has been reserved at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, 1300 Houston Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. For reservations, call (817) 535-6664.