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State of the Gear Industry 2026

The gear industry navigates uncertainty, finds pockets of strength, and bets on automation

Of the 137 respondents to our annual gear-industry survey, the message was clear: tariffs are the defining challenge of 2026. But the frustration runs deeper than the duties themselves. Manufacturers can absorb cost increases; they can’t absorb chaos. When rules shift weekly and exemptions evaporate overnight, planning becomes guesswork. One respondent captured the exhaustion: “In 2025, they were all over the place, without warning, up and down. Terribly disorganized.” Yet within this turbulence, distinct currents run strong. Defense and aerospace work has surged. Oil and gas, buoyed by loosened regulations, is “very active” according to multiple respondents, with mobile power units and gas compression driving demand. Overhaul and repair business is booming—when new equipment becomes expensive or hard to source, companies keep existing machines running longer, and that means gears.

¡Rápido!

With many of its precision gears produced in small lot sizes, Spanish gear producer Engranajes Juaristi S.L. depends on Gleason machines for exceptional speed and flexibility.

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Technical Articles

A Review on Gear Transmission Error

This paper will review the development process, current research status, characteristics, functions, and measurement methods of TE. It will analyze the difficulties and core issues existing in the basic theory of TE, clarify the limitations and deficiencies of TE, and explore ways to overcome the shortcomings of TE.

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Prospects of Asymmetric Gears in EV Gearbox

The paper examines how optimizing asymmetric gear tooth geometry through Direct Gear Design can improve load capacity, efficiency, and compactness in EV gearboxes, surpassing the performance limits of conventional symmetric gears.

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Investigating the Effects of Wear, Lubrication and Material Pairing on the NVH Performance of Plastic Gears

This study systematically evaluates how material selection, progressive wear, and grease lubrication affect the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance of polymer gears, providing new insights for designing quieter, more optimized transmission systems.

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Electric vs. Combustion: A Comparative Analysis of Gear Design for Commercial Vehicle Applications

This paper examines the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), highlighting the distinct gear design requirements for each and presenting a comparative case study of gearbox configurations in a 14-ton commercial vehicle.

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Design

The conjugacy of meshing gears is one of the most important attributes of gears because it ensures a constant velocity ratio that gives smooth, uniform transmission of motion and torque. Some of the world’s greatest gear theoreticians like Earle Buckingham, Wells Coleman, and John Colbourne laid the foundation for understanding conjugacy. Their teachings and interpretations of the law of gearing have been used by generations of gear engineers to design and manufacture gear transmissions for almost everything that is mechanically actuated. 

Grinding

Inspection

A combination of international regulations and consumer expectations is driving the demand for reduced noise on all drivetrain components. Further demand is driven by the growing trend towards EVs and HEVs, where noise from ICE is intermittent or no longer present, and the contribution of transmission noise to overall vehicle noise becomes dominant.

Heat Treating

Quality control, EV components, energy consumption and material influences are just a handful of topics being discussed in heat treating today. New heat treat methods and global trends will be the topic of conversation later this year at Heat Treat 2023. Here’s a round-up of some stories circulating across key market segments.

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Videos

Grob Showcases Gear Ring Production with Power Skiving

The Grob G750T boasts efficient machining for gear rings by offering precise and efficient power skiving and seamless integration of milling and turning for maximum flexibility and productivity.

Industry News

Blaser Swisslube, Inc. and Nidec Machine Tool America recently announced a strategic partnership designed to help manufacturers achieve higher productivity, precision, and process reliability. 

Product News

Rego-Fix USA developed its powRgrip system for stable toolholding when machining parts made from all types of materials. Whether machining firearms or tactical gear, the powRgrip’s press-fit toolholding delivers higher precision, with greater vibration damping for longer tool life and superior surface part finishes.

Calendar

Reliable Plant 2026

Jun 15, 2026 - Jun 18, 2026

This event (Reno, NV) offers attendees learning sessions and case studies on the latest industrial lubrication and oil analysis technologies. The comprehensive conference schedule covers every facet of the machinery lubrication industry and includes workshops on topics such as employee performance, lubrication fundamentals, condition-based maintenance and planning.

Cleanpower 2026

Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 4, 2026

American Manufacturing Summit 2026

Mar 17, 2026 - Mar 18, 2026

IMTS 2026

Sep 14, 2026 - Sep 19, 2026

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The Gear Industry Buyers Guide is your complete directory of suppliers in the gear industry, including great companies like these.


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