Course Description
Format: Live Online Virtual Training
Date: February 3-5, 2026 & February 10-12, 2026
- Tuesday, February 3 – 11:00pm-3:00pm CT
- Wednesday, February 4 – 11:00pm-3:00pm CT
- Thursday, February 5 – 11:00pm-3:00pm CT
- Tuesday, February 10 – 11:00pm-3:00pm CT
- Wednesday, February 11 – 11:00pm-3:00pm CT
- Thursday, February 12 – 11:00pm-3:00pm CT
Gearbox CSI: Forensic Analysis of Gear & Bearing Failures – Useful Tools for Optimizing Gear Design
A good understanding of individual failure modes and the failure scenarios that led to the actual system failure is an essential skill to designing gear/bearing systems that will operate properly for their full design life. In this course, we will define and explain the nature of many gear and bearing failures and we will also discuss and describe various actual failure scenarios. In addition, a detailed primer on bearing technology prefaces the failure scenario discussions. You will gain a better understanding of various types of gears and bearings. Learn about the limitation and capabilities of rolling element bearings and the gears that they support. Grasp an understanding of how to properly apply the best gear-bearing combination to any gearbox from simple to complex.
This course is online. A webcam on your computer equipped with a microphone and speakers/headset are required for participation. Space is limited to 20-25 participants per course. Course materials will be mailed in hard copy. Please make sure to indicate your preferred mailing address in the registration process.
You will earn 24 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.
Learning Objectives
- Apply understanding of forensic analysis of gearbox failures in future gearbox designs.
- Discuss bearing and gear types.
- Explain how bearing selection is influenced by gear type and loading.
- Select appropriate bearing types and configurations as influenced by gear type and loading.
- Explain how to optimize bearing and gear combination.
- Identify seven materials and manufacturing related defects.
Registration Rates
Member Rates
Early Bird Registrant – $1,950
(Deadline until 11/20/25)
Regular Registrant – $2,050
(Deadline: 11/21/25 – 1/6/26)
Late Registrant – $2,100
(Deadline: 1/7/26 – 1/20/26)
NON-MEMBER RATE
Early Bird Registrant – $2,450
(Deadline until 11/20/25)
Regular Registrant – $2,550
(Deadline: 11/21/25 – 1/6/26)
Late Registrant – $2,600
(Deadline: 1/7/26 – 1/20/26)
Who Should Attend
Gear and bearing design engineers, management involved with design, maintenance, customer service and sales.
Instructors
Raymond J. Drago, P.E.
Raymond J. Drago is Chief Engineer of Drive Systems Technology, Inc. (DST), a mechanical power transmission consulting organization that he founded in 1976. Mr. Drago also worked for the Boeing Company – Helicopters Division until his retirement after 37 years of service. Currently Mr. Drago is involved in the analysis, design, manufacture, assembly, and testing of many gear systems. In his role with DST, Mr. Drago is active in all areas of mechanical power transmission, including the design and analysis of drive systems in a very diverse field of application from heart pumps to very large mining & mill gears. He has used his 58 years of gear technology experience to prepare and deliver more than 150 Technical Papers and 385 courses dealing with various aspects of gear design and analysis.
I started working at Boeing in 1967 and continued until my retirement in 2004. I started Drive Systems Technology in 1976 as a part time activity while still working at Boeing (with Boeing’s knowledge and approval, under strict guidelines) which eventually grew to the point where I retired early from Boeing in order to pursue DST as a full-time activity.
Joseph W. Lenski, Jr.
Joseph W. Lenski, Jr. was a 40 yr employee of Boeing Company, Rotocraft Division. His field of expertise is that of rolling element-bearing technology with extensive work in drive system design and lubricant development. Since 1973, he has served as chief Bearing Specialist for Drive Systems Technology, Inc. This work has included bearing analysis, selection and life predictions; bearing failure investigations and discussion of various high technology bearing designs and concepts. This work has been done for various steel mill companies, gearbox manufacturers, oil producing facilities and mining companies. He has authored more than 42 technical reports and papers and has prepared a class manual on basic bearing design and bearing failure analysis.
Photo Release
From time to time MPMA uses photographs, survey answers and testimonial of MPMA events in its promotional materials. Unless this permission is revoked in writing to the MPMA, by virtue of your attendance all attendees agree to the use of their likeness in such materials.
Cancellation and Payment Policy
Please view our cancellation policy.
Please view our late registration policy.
Please view our code of conduct.