Course Description
Format: In-person Course
Where: Chicago, IL – Daley
Date: November 4-6, 2025
(all times are ET)
- Tuesday, November 4 – 8:00am-5:00pm
- Wednesday, November 5 – 8:00am-5:00pm
- Thursday, November 6 – 8:00am-5:00pm
Reg. Deadline: October 27, 2025
Gear Failure Analysis
Explore gear failure analysis in this hands-on seminar where students not only see slides of failed gears but can hold and examine over 130 specimens with the same failure modes covered in the seminar. Approximately half of the course time consists of students in groups identifying failure modes on failed gears and working on a case study. Microscopes are available to examine failed specimens.
This course is taught at the AGMA National Training Center.
How Many CEUs Will I Earn?
As an IACET-accredited provider, AGMA offers 2.0 CEUs for this class.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the primary and secondary failure modes
- Use the proper nomenclature to describe the morphology of gear failure
- Understand common tools and methods used in gear failure analysis
- Diagnose the root causes of failure
- Prescribe remedies to prevent repeat failures
- Use the GEARTECH textbook and other provided resources for ongoing study of gear failure analysis
- Tailor failure analysis techniques for their specific requirements
Who Should Attend
Suitable for gear engineers, users, researchers, maintenance technicians, lubricant experts, and managers.
Are you a member of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA)? As an ABMA member, you receive discounts on all programs that AGMA offers.
Email AGMA Education at education@agma.org for a complimentary promo code to receive member pricing on this course.
Registration Rates
Member Rates
First Registrant per Member Company
Early Bird*/Standard
$2,150/
$2,250
Additional Registrant per Member Company
$2,050
NON-MEMBER RATE
First Registrant per Non-Member Company
Early Bird*/Standard
$2,650/
$2,750
Additional Registrant per Non-Member Company
*Rate ends 9/23/25
$2,550
Hotel Information
Doubletree by Hilton Chicago Midway Airport
6624 S. Cicero Ave.
Chicago, IL 60638
You can book your room at the discounted rate of $184 per night. The hotel cutoff date is October 13, 2025.
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.
Mike McKernin
Mike McKernin received Manufacturing Engineering Degree from Bradley University and has worked and served the gear industry for almost forty years. He started his career as a Processing Engineering at Franke Gear in Chicago, IL and continued to fill many roles at different companies throughout the decades. He has been an Engineer, a Sales Manager, President, and Chief Operating Officer, all with a focus on gearing in many different manufacturing sectors. Mike has volunteered on technical and business committees at the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and has won several awards through his work including the 2023 AGMA Distinguished Service Award. Recently, he dedicated the past seven years to the AGMA on the Board of Directors and as the Chairperson of the Business Management Executive Committee (BMEC). Mike continues to help the next generation of gearing professionals through his time at the AGMA National Training Center at Richard J. Daley City Colleges of Chicago so that students and current professionals can learn the latest in gear manufacturing and design.
Lance Brown
Lance’s experience in the gear industry began in 1997. His career started on the manufacturing floor where he is as comfortable in front of a machine as he is in his design and development endeavors. As lead gear designer at CGI, INC. he has contributed many geared solutions to the medical, defense, commercial/consumer, and robotics industries. In his current role as Director of Technical sales he continues to collaborate with some of the world’s most talented robotics engineers bringing powerful solutions to life through intelligent gear-train and assembly design. Lance is currently a member of AGMA’s Technical Division Executive Committee (TDEC) and sits on multiple Technical Committees.
COVID-19 On Site Safety
AGMA is committed to the safety of all participants, instructors, and staff. Below are the guidelines that will be followed for all in-person 2022 events.
- Wearing masks indoors when not eating or drinking is not required but recommended.
For locations that require masks: please follow local or state guidelines. - Vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours is not required but recommended.
Every effort is being made to allow for social distancing during the conference. Please follow guidance on site. - Hand sanitizer and masks will be provided on site. Frequent hand washing on site is recommended.
- Frequent cleaning and food safety measures are in place at the venue.
- If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms or had recent exposure to COVID-19 prior to the start of the event, please do not attend.
- AGMA will make COVID-19 Rapid Tests available on site should you experience symptoms while the event is taking place.
Each participant will also be required to sign the AGMA Student Commitment to Safety Agreement.
AGMA Student Commitment to Safety Agreement
Photo Release
From time to time AGMA uses photographs, survey answers and testimonial of AGMA events in its promotional materials. Unless this permission is revoked in writing to the AGMA, 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 code of conduct.