Course Description
Format: In-person Course
Where: Wilmington, DE
Date: October 20-22, 2026
- Tuesday, October 20 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
- Wednesday, October 21 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
- Thursday, October 22 – 8:00am-5:00pm ET
Gear Materials
Learn what is required for the design of an optimum gear set and the importance of the coordinated effort of the gear design engineer, the gear metallurgist, and the bearing system engineer. Investigate gear-related problems, failures and improved processing procedures.
You will earn 24 clock hours upon completion of the course and they will be listed on your certificate of completion.
Learning Objectives
- Improve their gear designs
- Apply their understanding of gear rating theory and analysis methods
- Investigate differences in stress states among various surface durability failure modes
- Discuss time dependent and time independent failure modes related to tooth design
- Use computer generated graphics to examine mesh action and tooth interaction
- Discuss the concepts presented
Who Should Attend
Gear Engineers, gear designers, application engineers, people who are responsible for interpreting gear designs, technicians and managers that want to better understand all aspects of gear design.
Registration Rates
Member Rates
Early Bird First Registrant – $2,150
(Deadline until 8/6/26)
Regular First Registrant – $2,250
(Deadline: 8/7/26 – 9/22/26)
Late First Registrant – $2,300
(Deadline: 9/23/26 – 10/6/26)
Additional Registrants per Company Member receive a $200 discount per person
NON-MEMBER RATE
Early Bird First Registrant – $2,650
(Deadline until 8/6/26)
Regular First Registrant – $2,750
(Deadline: 8/7/26 – 9/22/26)
Late First Registrant – $2,800
(Deadline: 9/23/26 – 10/6/26)
Additional Registrants per Company Non-Member receive a $200 discount per person
Location
Hotel Information
Sheraton Suites Wilmington Downtown
422 Delaware Ave
Wilmington, DE 19801
You can book your room at the discounted rate of $159 per night. The hotel cut-off date is September 28, 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
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.
Dale Weires
Dale Weires is currently a Technical Fellow in Metallurgy for The Boeing Company. He also serves as Senior Metallurgical Engineer for Drive Systems Technology, Inc (DST), a mechanical power transmission consulting firm founded by Mr. Raymond Drago (with Boeing’s knowledge and approval).
Mr. Weires has over 39 years of gear design and manufacturing experience in aerospace and industrial gear applications. Prior to joining Boeing in 1995, Mr. Weires was the Plant Metallurgist for two different gear companies establishing a foundation of knowledge in heat treating, manufacturing and nondestructive testing of gears. He is a past Chairman of the AGMA Metallurgy Committee, and currently a member of the AGMA Metallurgy and AGMA Aerospace Gearing Committees. He also served on the ASM-Heat Treating Society Board of Directors from 2006 thru 2012.
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.
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.