If you’re in the gear industry, you know there is a LOT to know about gears. This includes everything from the basic fundamentals of gearing to more advanced technical topics, to the latest industry news. Whether you’re a gear manufacturer or a user, an engineer or a buyer, a newbie or a seasoned pro, it can all make your head spin.
But we have some good news; you don’t have to know everything there is to know about gears. You just need to know where to turn to get the information you need when you need it. That’s where this blog post comes in. As a veteran of the industry, we’ve put together an insider’s guide to the top resources for the gear industry.
AGMA
The American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) is the most comprehensive resource for the gear industry, so it’s a very fitting choice to kick off our list. According to their mission statement, “AGMA is the global network for technical standards, education, and business information for manufacturers, suppliers, and users of mechanical power transmission components.”
Perhaps the most important aspect of what AGMA does is to set gearing standards. AGMA standards address nearly all the critical gearing topics, from load capacity and lubrication to accuracy and inspection. Standards can be viewed and purchased through their online store.
AGMA also offers much more for their members and non-members, including events and training opportunities, publications, industry news, and products. The best place to find out more about what they do for the industry is on their website. As a member of AGMA ourselves, we can tell you how important and beneficial this organization is as a resource to the gear industry.
Motion + Power Technology Expo
The Motion + Power Technology Expo, formerly known as Gear Expo, is co-produced by AGMA. This event gives professionals in the gear industry an opportunity to come together to learn the latest industry information and see firsthand technology, products, and services relating to the gear industry and other related industries, including mechanical power, electric power, and fluid power. Attendees and exhibitors include experts in gear design, manufacturing, application engineering, gear buyers and manufacturers.
In addition to being able to network and gather information from exhibiting companies at the show, MPT Expo also offers a variety of educational opportunities. The courses cover a range of gearing topics in great detail and usually fill up quickly. There is no better way to learn about technical gearing topics than directly from industry leaders at the show.
If you are a member of the gear industry or just want to learn more about gears, MPT Expo is an event that should not be missed.
Gear Solutions
Gear Solutions Magazine describes itself as the most trusted source for information and technical knowledge in the gear manufacturing industry. This monthly publication contains technical articles, company profiles, Q&As, features, columns, product information, and industry news. The editorial content is produced by both their editorial staff as well as industry and academic experts. Topics include emerging technologies, processes, materials, and R&D.
Gear Solutions puts an emphasis on new and emerging technology and advancements, so it’s fitting that they utilize all sorts of technology to reach their audience. Not only are they active on social media through Twitter and Facebook, but they’ve also developed the first and only mobile app for the gear manufacturing industry. You can request a free subscription to their publication in either print or digital format or read their current issue any time online. No matter how you choose to connect, they are certainly a key publication to follow in the industry.
Gear Technology
Gear Technology Magazine is known as “The Gear Industry’s Information Source.” The publication includes technical articles, industry news, and product information related to gear manufacturing, design, inspection, processing and use. Gear Technology is written for engineers and manufacturers in the gear industry. Articles cover every phase of a gear life cycle, including design, manufacturing, inspection, heat treating and end use. Subscriptions of the magazine are free, published 8 times per year, and can be provided in your choice of print or digital format.
Their website also includes some great resources for those of us in the gear industry. If you’re up for browsing, the GT LIBRARY includes archives of the publication going all the way back to 1984. Content is also completely searchable by category or by keyword if there is a particular topic you are looking for information on.
Power Transmission Engineering
Power Transmission Engineering is part of the Gear Technology family of technical publications. PTE, “the magazine of mechanical motion”, is the only magazine that specifically targets buyers of mechanical components, such as gears, bearings, motors, drives and motion control components. Articles in PTE allow design engineers and machinery manufacturers to stay current on technical information, new products, technology, best practices, new ideas, industry news and current events. Like Gear Technology, PTE is published 8 times per year and is offered in either print or digital format.
Gear Motions, Inc.
Finally, we’d be remiss not to mention that you can use Gear Motions as a resource anytime. Not only are we a leader in precision gear manufacturing, but we have also over 100 years of experience and have accumulated a lot of knowledge along the way. We’re happy to help answer any questions you may have about gear manufacturing, or simply have a conversation about what’s going on in the industry.
There are plenty of resources available right on our website, including details about our gear production capabilities, manufacturing services, and engineering services. You can even request a quote with the ability to upload files right from our homepage.
You’ll also want to check out Gear Motions Blog. Our blog contains much more than just updates about our company. You’ll also find posts that cover everything from technical articles to the latest news and trending topics in the gear industry. And don’t forget to connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, where we share even more content of interest to the industry.
