Course Description
Format: In-person Course
Where: Clearwater Beach, FL
Date: June 2-4, 2025
- Tuesday, June 2 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
- Wednesday, June 3 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
- Thursday, June 4 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
Fundamentals of Parallel Axis Gearing
Gain a solid and fundamental understanding of gear geometry, types and arrangements, and basic design principles. Starting with the basic definitions of gears, conjugate motion, and the Laws of Gearing, learn the tools needed to understand the inter-relation and coordinated motion operating within gear pairs and multi-gear trains. Basic gear system design process, gear measurement and inspection techniques will also be explained.
In addition, the fundamentals of understanding the stepwise process of working through the iterative design process required to generate a gear pair will be reviewed. Learn the steps and issues involved in design refinement and some manufacturing considerations.
An explanation of basic gear measurement techniques, how measurement equipment and test machines implement these techniques, and how to interpret the results from these basic measurements will also be covered. Finally, a brief overview of in-service failure modes and causes.
You will earn 24 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.
Learning Objectives
- Develop a full appreciation for the meaning and correct use of gear nomenclature
- Describe conjugacy and its relationship to transmission error
- Appreciate and correctly select the basic geartrain arrangements as a function of application
- Be able to describe and discuss the external factors that effect a gear pair and / or a geartrain
- Describe how the applied torque manifests itself as a force on the surface of the tooth and further how this develops into stress within the body of the tooth
- Be able to describe and discuss the various common manufacturing techniques for gears
- Describe the measurement and inspection techniques used to qualify a gear
- Develop a high-level of appreciation for various gear failure modes and causes
Who Should Attend
This course will appeal to anyone who is interested in gears, gear systems, design development or measurement and inspection techniques. More specifically, anyone responsible for the following will benefit; Mechanical power transmission system design, development, durability assessment and application; Application and development of geared systems technologies; Management of transmission designers and manufacturers; and supply of components and sub-systems to mechanical power transmission system manufacturers.
Registration Rates
Member Rates
Early Bird First Registrant – $2,150
(Deadline until 3/19/26)
Regular First Registrant – $2,250
(Deadline: 3/20/26 – 5/5/26)
Late First Registrant – $2,300
(Deadline: 5/6/26 – 5/19/26)
Additional Registrants per Company Member receive a $200 discount per person
NON-MEMBER RATE
Early Bird First Registrant – $2,650
(Deadline until 3/19/26)
Regular First Registrant – $2,750
(Deadline: 3/20/26 – 5/5/26)
Late First Registrant – $2,800
(Deadline: 5/6/26 – 5/19/26)
Additional Registrants per Company Non-Member receive a $200 discount per person
Location
Hotel Information
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
1160 Gulf Blvd
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
You can book your room at the discounted rate of $229 per night. The hotel cut-off date is May 11, 2026.
Hotel Information
By booking in the MPMA room block, you receive a variety of benefits, including guaranteed accommodations, better networking opportunities with your peers, special guest status at the host hotel, and flexible cancellation terms if your plans change. MPMA advises against booking hotel rooms through third party booking sites such as Hotels.com, as there may be hidden fees, limited flexibility, and fewer rewards. MPMA does not work with a housing company and only MPMA Staff will reach out to you with details regarding the room block; any other companies that reach out to you regarding room reservations may be fraudulent and are not endorsed by MPMA. If you need assistance with your accommodations or have issues with the booking link provided by MPMA, please contact events@motionpower.org.
Instructors
William “Mark” McVea, PhD, P.E.
Dr. William Mark McVea, P.E., is currently President and Principal Engineer of KBE+, Inc. where he and his team design and develop complete powertrains for automotive and off-highway vehicles. His experience includes positions within the mechanical drive and powertrain industry. Chief Technology Officer for an industry leader in the design and development of patented powertrain engineering technology used primarily in the automotive industry; Professor of Vehicle Dynamics and Powertrain Sciences in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Rochester Institute of Technology; adjunct professor at Purdue University in their Automotive Sciences Department; and was manager of the CAE group within a tier-one powertrain supplier to global automotive markets, a consulting engineer in vehicle dynamics, and a project manager of traction systems for off-highway vehicles as well. In addition, he has extensive publication on transmission systems, automated design assistant systems, knowledge systems and knowledge-based engineering in general. He also holds or is listed as co-inventor on numerous patents related to mechanical power transmissions. Mark holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, a PhD in Design Engineering from Purdue University and is a licensed Professional Engineer.
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.