Following a long line of AGMA product and specialty standards, splines are finally getting an opportunity to join the discussion. In September 2010, AGMA hosted an organizational teleconference for the formation of a new technical committee on splines. AGMA staff members Charlie Fischer, Amy Lane and Amir Aboutaleb helped get the committee off the ground.

Aboutaleb, AGMA staff engineer, says more than 30 members attended the online meeting to discuss the proposal. The committee was formed "to address the existing lack of a comprehensive set of standards on design, rating, accuracy, application, inspection and maintenance of splines," Aboutaleb says.

The need for a spline committee was based on numerous inquiries received by AGMA headquarters. This need was echoed by some of AGMA's existing committees such as the Vehicle Gearing, Flexible Couplings, Cutting Tools and others through a request submitted to the Technical Division Executive Committee (TDEC). The request was presented to the TDEC at their last meeting in May and approved unanimously.

"In general, the committee will try to ‘fill in the gap' so to speak," Aboutaleb says. "In their initial meeting, the participants decided to distribute a survey to determine what is being used in terms of spline standards and what is missing and remains to be developed. The results will be reviewed at the next meeting in Chicago on November 16, 2010."

Aboutaleb says the first teleconference was very encouraging based on the number of participants that gathered online to discuss the committee formation. "Due to the logistics of having 30 people on teleconference, there was no in-depth discussion in September. However, based on a quick survey of participants, we expect 20-25 people to attend the face-to-face meeting in Chicago."

The attendees of the September online meeting included representatives from automotive, aerospace, mining, couplings and other areas of the gear industry. The topics that struck the most interest included spline types, rating and applications. In addition, there was initial discussion of a possible information sheet on terms and nomenclature for splines. At the November meeting, the Spline Technical Committee plans to iron out all the initial proposals and move forward with its agenda. Aboutaleb says that positions within the committee will be also be determined.

Those working with splines in the gear industry would benefit from getting involved in the committee and sharing experiences. As is the case with all AGMA committees, the full-time AGMA staff discusses committee work with potential new members and during visits with existing company members. Committee participation exposes members to new technologies, technical standards and education they may not receive on a day-to-day basis. Those that share an interest in specialty areas such as splines should consider becoming a member by filling out the online form at the website below. The next meeting of the Spline Technical Committee takes place November 16-17 at the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove Village, IL.