Course Description
Format: Live Online Virtual Training
Date: February 26, 2026
- Thursday, February 26 – 10:00am-2:00pm CT
Loaded Tooth Contact Analysis Theory
Evaluation of loaded tooth contact and development of tooth modifications using commercially available software to improve and apply a realistic load distribution factor Km in gear rating calculations and reduce transmission error. Two real life gearing examples will be reviewed in the course, one will have a cantilever mounted pinion, the other a shaft pinion straddled non-symmetrically by bearings. Both examples demonstrate component deflections under load which significantly reduce tooth mesh contact which is then corrected with developed helix and profile modifications. Other gear performance optimization tools will also be presented, Material and Heat Treatment Selection, Profile Shift, Isotropic Finishing, Shot Peening, Accuracy. These design tools along with LTCA are commonly applied by gear designers to optimize design reliability and calculated rating safety factors.
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 4 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.
Registration Rates
Early Bird First Registrant – $350
(Deadline until 12/12/25)
Regular First Registrant – $375
(Deadline: 12/13/25 – 1/29/26)
Late First Registrant – $390
(Deadline: 1/30/26 – 2/12/26)
NON-MEMBER RATE
Early Bird First Registrant – $450
(Deadline until 12/12/25)
Regular First Registrant – $475
(Deadline: 12/13/25 – 1/29/26)
Late First Registrant – $490
(Deadline: 1/30/26 – 2/12/26)
Learning Objectives
- Identify the need for Loaded Tooth Contact Analysis and describe the theory behind the contact analysis process
- Model the loaded gear mesh shafts, bearings and gear geometry in commercially available dedicated gearing “FEA” software to calculate magnitude and direction of tooth deflections and deformations.
- Develop and apply tooth profile and helix modifications that compensate for tooth, shaft and bearing deflections, reducing transmission error and optimizing power density
- Describe the tools and processes of contact analysis
- Review cantilever pinion example of contact analysis and corrective action
- Review non-symmetrical bearing mounted shaft pinion example of contact analysis and corrective action
- Present contact analysis Do’s and Don’ts
- Review other gear performance optimization tools
Who Should Attend
Gear design engineers who are interested in developing state of the art competitive gear designs which provide optimized power density. Gear mesh Loaded Tooth Contact must be evaluated and improved using helix and profile modifications to achieve the assumed load distribution factor which has been applied in gear life and rating calculations. Loaded tooth, shaft and bearing deflections cause tooth mesh contact to shift, reduce in size and concentrate causing the potential for premature gear tooth fatigue failure. There are several other tools in the Gear Designers Toolbox that can be applied to improve tooth contact and bending safety factors. This course would be of interest to experienced gear manufacturing engineers, inspectors, quality assurance and operators to better understand the complex geometry, helix and profile modifications called out on high performance, optimized gear drawings.
Instructors
TERRY KLAVES
Terry Klaves semi-retired from the Milwaukee Gear Division of Regal Beloit in 2017 after 45 years of work in the gearing industry with four different companies, positions varying from gear engineer to VP of Engineering and responsibilities including gear design, optimization, manufacturing and Quality Assurance. He has a passion for solving gearing related problems and continues to serve the gearing industry as part time consultant and trainer for AGMA, in addition, he is Chairman of the AGMA TC-60 Committee, contributing to development of ISO gearing standards. Terry graduated with a BS-Engineering in 1976 and a MS-Engineering from UW-Milwaukee in 1981 and enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for gears through formal consulting and training activities.
Photo Release
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Cancellation and Payment Policy
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