The AGMA Fall Technical Meeting brings together top researchers from across the globe who will provide the latest information on their peer-reviewed gear industry research. Network with the industry experts, academics and engineers; ask your burning questions; and see what is in the future for this industry.

AGMA Foundation
The AGMA Foundation Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2021 Scholarship awards. Each Fall, the Foundation awards $5,000 scholarships at the undergraduate and graduate levels and has scholarships available at $2,500 at the associate or technical school level. Applicants with work and/or research experience in the gear or power transmission industry receive preference for scholarship awards.

 

AGMA Virtual Education
Learn how to develop and understand customer gear drive application specifications and target performance expectations. Review, calculate and select basic gear terminology variables and design parameters which define tooth bending and contact rating safety factors on two real life examples. Learn how to fit new gear designs and ratios into existing center distance and more.

AP News
For the first time in eight months, the global shortage of computer chips won’t force General Motors to close any North American factories. The company said that starting Nov. 1, all plants that had been closed on and off since February because of the shortage will be cranking out vehicles. 

MiBiz
Manufacturers that supply the defense industry will need to adhere to a new set of uniform cybersecurity standards in order to bid on contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense. At the beginning of 2020, the Department of Defense released its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program that established a multitier, unified set of standards for cybersecurity for all 300,000-plus members of the defense industry base. Beginning Oct 1, 2025, a CMMC compliance clause will be included in every government solicitation, though the requirement could come sooner under new contracts.

**Please note, the AGMA Emerging Technology Committees addressed CMMC in our April 2021 webinar, part of the 2021 Emerging Technology Webinar Series which is available free to view here.

Mining.com
Technological advancements like automation, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and robotics taking place in parallel with the growing attention to environmental, social and governance issues are the factors that will likely have the biggest impact on mine workers and the mining industry in the coming years.

Press Release
Desktop Metal announced the qualification of Grade 420 stainless steel (420 SS) for use on the Production System™ platform, which leverages patent pending Single Pass Jetting™ (SPJ) technology designed to achieve the fastest build speeds in the metal additive manufacturing industry. Manufacturers can now leverage SPJ technology for the mass production of high-strength, end-use parts in 420 SS for demanding applications in industries such as medical, aerospace, defense and consumer products. 

MassLive
Amazon opened a new robotics manufacturing facility in Westborough, Mass., which added more than 200 jobs. The facility is 350,000-square-feet and will feature corporate offices, research and development labs and manufacturing space.

Automation World
If you’re like most manufacturers, you’re not operating a greenfield site with the latest internet-ready equipment. However, you’re likely facing numerous digitalization initiatives. Here’s how you can do it via strategic retrofits to existing equipment.

Nextgov
Newly proposed legislation seeks to establish an improved infrastructure to usher in more 6G wireless network advancements in the U.S. cities, specifically creating a new council to oversee federal investments and development in the nation’s telecommunications.

Los Angeles Business Journal
Few industries are primed for quicker growth over the next decade than the electric vehicle sector. According to industry tracker EV Adoption, plug-in electric vehicles accounted for just 3.9% of total new auto sales nationally in the second quarter of 2021. The California New Car Dealers Association reported that EVs accounted for 7.8% of new auto sales statewide over the same period.

Supply Chain Brain
As a generation of workers exit the industry, with them goes the knowledge and expertise built over decades of frontline experience, most of which can’t be taught in school. While business leaders are right to be concerned about this dilemma, it should be viewed purely as a challenge. A new wave of young talent brings fresh knowledge and experience into the picture.

Mining.com
U.S. and Australia-based researchers have discovered a cheap new way to capture and convert CO2 emissions using liquid gallium. The process can be done at room temperature and uses the metal to transform carbon dioxide into oxygen and a high-value solid carbon product that can later be used in batteries, for construction or in aircraft manufacturing.

Tech Crunch
Via Separations is a startup from a couple of MIT material science engineers who figured out a way to reduce the amount of energy required in a manufacturing process, resulting in lower carbon creation, lower energy usage and lower costs.

The Verge
NASA is aiming to fly its massive, next-generation rocket, the Space Launch System, for the first time in February of 2022, a critical test flight on NASA’s journey to send people back to the moon. However, plenty of tests still need to go well before the much-delayed vehicle can finally take flight.

Today’s Motor Vehicles
Methods Machine Tools Inc. has signed an agreement with an intent to acquire Koch Machine Tool, a machine tool dealer and Method’s avenue into the Texas machining market since 2010.

Bloomberg (VIDEO)
Ranil Salgado, Japan mission chief at International Monetary Fund, discusses Japan’s economy, the country’s vaccination rate and what to expect under the new prime minister.

Gear Technology
Robot orders in the second quarter of 2021 were up 67% over the same period in 2020, showing a return to pre-pandemic demand for automation as manufacturers and North American companies return to business. According to A3, North American companies ordered 9,853 robots valued at $501 million in Q2 2020 the peak of the pandemic.

Gear Technology
Exact Metrology recently announced that In-Place Machining Company has acquired OASIS Alignment Services as part of a long-term growth strategy to expand reach and services offerings to customers and prospects across the U.S. and Canada. A globally recognized precision field machining company, IPM has long been the leader in on-site machining, diamond wire cutting and industrial measurement services.