January/February 2025

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Take This with a Grain of Chaos

“Take this with a grain of salt” is that old saying you use when you offer up some advice that may or may not apply, that comes from a dubious source, or which bears skepticism. This year’s annual State-of-the-Gear-Industry survey is like that, but not because we did a poor job of it, and not because we doubt the sincerity or business acumen of our respondents, but rather, because the survey happened to come at a very turbulent time.

Technical Articles

Very High Cycle Fatigue Testing of AMS 6308 Steel

In this paper, ultrasonic fatigue testing results for “core hardened” AMS 6308 gear steel are presented. AMS 6308 is a gear and bearing steel with high tempering resistance and high hot hardness case targeted to high temperature applications

Cutting Tool Selection Criteria for Cylindrical Gear Manufacturing

This paper is divided into two parts. The first part is a general digression on the pressure angle on cylindrical gears. The pressure angle is a variable that plays an important role in defining the geometry of gears and hobs, yet it is not widely discussed. This introduction serves as a prerequisite for the second part of the paper. The second part will show an application case of choosing the most suitable hob to cut a given gear. In this selection process, particular attention will be paid to the pressure angle of the hob for cutting with modified rolling, i.e., with a reduced pressure angle compared to that of the gear.

Feature Articles

Unlocking the Potential of Power Skiving

Power skiving has evolved from a complex and difficult-to-control cutting method into a viable alternative to traditional shaping or broaching. Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH’s Skiving3 technology package combines machines, tools, and processes to make gear skiving more efficient and flexible. This advancement enables manufacturers to machine a broad range of workpieces, from small to large batch sizes, making it suitable for both series production and contract gear manufacturing.

Precision and Innovation in Gear Cutting

Gear cutting has witnessed remarkable advancements over the years, with modern technologies transforming traditional methods into streamlined, highly efficient processes. NIDEC’s tools and methodologies increase productivity and quality in manufacturing. This article delves into the technological innovations, market relevance, and advantages of their gear-cutting solutions.

The Tools Essential to Power Skiving

The rise of power skiving to a preeminent cylindrical gear cutting process has been one of the gear industry’s most compelling success stories in recent decades. What began many years ago as a promising, but specialized, cutting process alternative for cylindrical gears with challenging interference contours is now exceeding performance and application expectations across the board.

Reshaping Manufacturing

Lubricant Expo is North America’s leading exhibition and conference event dedicated to the lubricant industry. Connecting lubricant solution providers with end-user buyers and the entire chemical and equipment supply chain, the show attracts thousands of engineers and executives each year. As the sister show to Europe’s largest industry event, Lubricant Expo Europe, these two shows provide the largest dedicated exhibitions for lubrication solutions on a global scale, with a free to attend expo and conference that serves the interests of thousands of visitors representing more than 75 countries. Exhibitors cover the end-to-end chain of the industry, from finished lubricants and technologies for lubricant users, to the chemical ingredients and development devices for formulators and lab professionals.

2025 State of the Gear Industry

Every year, Gear Technology’s State-of-the-Gear-Industry survey takes the pulse of the gear manufacturing world, revealing the latest trends, challenges, and outlooks shaping the industry. Conducted anonymously, the survey gathers insights from subscribers, AGMA members, gear manufacturers, suppliers, and industry experts—primarily from North America but with voices from around the globe. This year, nearly 200 professionals shared their perspectives, offering a real-time snapshot of the industry’s health and direction.

The State of Gear Machine Tools 2025

As the gear industry steps into 2025, manufacturers are navigating a landscape shaped by geopolitical uncertainties, evolving workforce dynamics, and rapid technological advancements. Alongside Gear Technology’s annual State of the Gear Industry survey, we like to gather insights from leading machine tool manufacturers on the challenges, opportunities, and trends defining the year ahead.

Outlook 2025

The ever-volatile election cycle has ended. Gear companies—and metalworking organizations in general—must now shift their focus toward customers. Can they meet orders in a timely fashion? Is it time to strengthen the talent pool? How is their equipment stacking up against the competition? Overall, there is a feeling business will turn the corner in the 3rd and 4th  quarters of 2025. Gear Technology spoke with representatives from Atlanta Gear Works (AGW), Croix Gear and Forest City Gear (FCG) on the state of gear manufacturing in 2025.

Tech Talk

The Power of Standards

Where would your business be without standards? Can you imagine if every gear manufacturer used different inspection and rating criteria? Or if you had to re-learn new gear nomenclature for each manufacturer you talked to? Standards are the documented set of generally accepted rules, guidelines, and requirements within an industry. They are based on proven and verified practices and provide a common language for an industry. AGMA has standards covering all aspects of gearing, from design, to inspection, to materials, to assembly, and to specialized applications such as wind or aerospace industries.

Frontiers

Moo-ving Forward!

I’ve always been a planner, and a new calendar feels like a blank slate of possibilities. 2025 promises an exciting year for AGMA Emerging Technology, with a packed schedule of programs. We began the year with a webinar featuring Noel Mack, CTO of LIFT: The National Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Institute. If you missed it, it is available on-demand on the AGMA website. Alongside committee meetings, we’ll host eleven webinars (first Wednesdays) and live presentations at key AGMA events, including the Annual Meeting, SNL, and the Motion + Power Technology Expo.

Addendum

Mandelbrot Meets Machine

Benoit B. Mandelbrot (1924–2010), the mathematician who coined the term “fractal,” revolutionized the way we understand complexity in nature. His groundbreaking work introduced the concept of self-similar patterns—structures that repeat at varying scales—which appear in phenomena as diverse as coastlines, clouds, and market fluctuations. Fractals provide a mathematical framework for describing irregular shapes and dynamic systems, making them invaluable for tackling problems where traditional linear approaches fall short. Building on Mandelbrot’s groundbreaking work, the application of fractals in engineering reveals exciting possibilities for gear design.

Product News

Eaton Adds Endurant AMT Parts to its Aftermarket Portfolio

Eaton's Mobility Group is now offering aftermarket Endurant automated manual transmission (AMT) parts and remanufactured units. This new offering expands the existing AMT portfolio of products for Daimler DT12 and Volvo I-Shift transmissions and provides a one-stop shop for all makes of manual and AMT transmissions operating in North America. 

Seco Tools Releases Latest Helical Milling Cutter

The new Seco LN4-11 Helical Milling Cutter provides up to three times longer tool life per edge and boosts productivity to achieve the lowest cost per part. The cutter ensures high material removal rates in applications requiring a helical milling cutter 32 – 63 mm in diameter.

B&R Automation Introduces New Safety Functions

B&R – a division of ABB – introduces Safety+, an innovative open approach to programming safety functions. Developers can now also use the latest software engineering tools and methods for safety applications. An innovative data structure with a digital fingerprint makes the source code freely accessible while also meeting the special requirements of functional safety. In this way, B&R has overcome an obstacle that was previously a barrier to innovation in safety programming. 

SMW Autoblok Provides Pneumatic Self-Centering Gripper Series

The SMW Autoblok pneumatic grippers featuring 2PXS, 2PXM, and 2PXL models are Proofline sealed and IP 64 rated. With exceptional gripping force facilitated by an oval piston, 2-finger low weight design, PX grippers provide spring force mechanisms for both external and internal gripping.  

L.S. Starrett Introduces Vision Metrology System

The L.S. Starrett Co. has expanded its AVR Vision Metrology Line with the introduction of the AVR400 CNC Vision System, the largest benchtop platform to date from Starrett with stage travel that is twice the speed of previous Starrett AVR models. The stage travel is 15.8"x 11.8"x 7.9" (400 mm x 300 mm x 200 mm) in the X-Y-Z axes with a speed of up to 120 mm/sec.

Kennametal Meets Small Parts Machining Demands

Machining small parts calls for high precision, tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes. Kennametal’s TopSwiss platform is designed to meet these demands across industries like medical, aerospace and defense, automotive and general engineering.

Industry News

Standard Bots Acquires Ready Robotics

By acquiring READY Robotics’ automation IP, Standard Bots is able to accelerate the development of their AI-powered platform, and their mission to improve accessibility in robotics space. This IP purchase includes all the software, patents, and trademarks owned by READY Robotics. 

Marposs Corporation Wins Automotive Innovation Award for Gear Tester

With the excellent “NVH G-EAR Single Gear Tester,” Marposs won the “Auto Technology and Equipment Supplier Excellent Innovation Award” at the MM Vogel Automotive Sustaining Power Awards 2024. The primary purpose of the “NVH G-EAR Single Gear Tester” is to assess surface defects, machining distortions, and noise behavior on the individual component prior to the assembly into the gearbox. 

RoboDK Celebrates 10th Anniversary

RoboDK, founded in January 2015, is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since then, the company has grown from an academic spin-off into a global leader in robotic simulation and programming software. RoboDK now supports over 1,000 robots from 90 manufacturers and remains committed to making robotics accessible, affordable, and efficient for industries and educational institutions worldwide.

Solar Atmospheres Adds Two Additional 2-Bar Vacuum Furnaces

Solar Atmospheres in Souderton, PA, is currently commissioning two additional 2-bar vacuum furnaces, expanding its capabilities to meet increased demand in the aerospace, industrial gas turbine sectors, and for specialized hydride/de-hydride processing of Titanium, Tantalum, and Niobium. These vacuum furnaces, produced by Solar's sister company, Solar Manufacturing, feature large working hot zones (45” x 45” x 72”) and are rated for operations up to 2400°F with a precise temperature uniformity of ±10°F.

Mazak Opens New Customer Solutions Center

As manufacturers continue to face shortages of skilled labor, Mazak helps them address the issue with the opening of its new Customer Solutions Center located in Florence, KY. The secure facility specializes in the development of production-ready, custom automation solutions that allow manufacturers to overcome existing labor issues while increasing production output.

Helios Gear Products Announces Registration for 2025 Helios Gear Schools

Helios Gear Products is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 Helios Gear Schools. These intensive courses are designed to provide both entry-level and experienced industry professionals with a comprehensive understanding of gear manufacturing.