Keeping Tomorrow Moving

<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/ueditor/php/upload/image/20251015/1760510278252080.png" title="1760510278252080.png" alt="1.png"/></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Highlights and innovation at MPT Expo + Heat Treat 2025 The Motion + Power Technology Expo (MPT Expo) returns to Detroit from October 21–23, 2025, colocated with Heat Treat 2025, creating one of North America’s most comprehensive gatherings for mechanical, fluid, and electrical power transmission, materials processing, and thermal treatment technologies. This year’s events bring together engineers, researchers, technologists, and decision-makers from across industries to explore, connect, and advance the design, production, and integration of cutting-edge systems that keep modern manufacturing moving. Attendees will engage with more than 300 exhibiting companies showcasing solutions across gear design and manufacturing, electric drive systems, hydraulic and pneumatic components, motion control, inspection technologies, and thermal processing. From industrial automation to advanced materials, the combined events spotlight innovations aimed at improving efficiency, reliability, miniaturization, and system interoperability across multiple sectors. Structured to encourage collaboration across traditional silos, MPT Expo and Heat Treat provide a platform for attendees to interact with experts in gears, splines, gearboxes, enclosed drives, bearings, machine tools, cutting tools, furnaces, and inspection systems. The 2025 edition also marks the official debut of the Motion and Power Manufacturers Alliance (MPMA), uniting AGMA and ABMA under a forward-looking umbrella designed to advance standards, education, and innovation across the motion and power transmission community. The Unveiling of the MPMA One of the biggest moments at this year’s Motion + Power Technology Expo will be the official public debut of the Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance (MPMA), a newly formed organization uniting two of the industry’s cornerstones, the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA). Back in April, the memberships of both associations voted to merge, with the new structure officially taking effect on May 1. While both the AGMA and ABMA names will remain active in the marketplace—preserving more than a century of brand recognition and trust—the MPMA represents a new, forward-looking alliance designed to deliver greater value across the motion and power transmission supply chain. Visitors to Booth 444 will experience this milestone firsthand in a setting designed to feel like “home.” The booth emphasizes the familiar warmth of two trusted institutions coming together as one—a space where members and attendees can connect, reflect on the legacy of both organizations, and look ahead to the future of keeping tomorrow moving.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">As Sara Zimmerman, incoming MPMA Chair and Vice President of Customer Experience and Product at Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America, notes: “The creation of the MPMA comes at a crucial time in our industry, where we are seeing a growth in gearing and bearing sales, and a consolidation of the companies that create these mechanical power solutions.” With more than 425 combined member companies, MPMA will expand opportunities for standards development, workforce education, industry publications, and advocacy efforts, while continuing to serve as a unifying voice for power transmission professionals worldwide. Networking and Social Highlights at MPT Expo While the exhibit halls and technical sessions will be a hub of innovation, MPT Expo also offers a variety of networking and social events designed to connect professionals across manufacturing, engineering, and power transmission. One of the week’s first opportunities comes on Tuesday morning with the Women in Manufacturing and Engineering Breakfast, hosted by AGMA and ASM. From 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., women at all stages of their careers—from new employees to high-level executives—can gather for a networking breakfast and panel discussion. The session will feature industry leaders sharing experiences and strategies for career advancement, navigating the workforce, and advocating for oneself. It’s a chance not only to gain advice from accomplished professionals but also to forge new relationships across all sectors of manufacturing and engineering. On Wednesday evening, attendees can experience The Materials Fusion Experience, a social networking event that blends Detroit’s industrial heritage with contemporary innovation. From 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., participants can immerse themselves in an environment designed to inspire conversation and collaboration, while exploring the city’s vibrant culture. The event offers a dynamic opportunity to connect with peers and thought leaders from MPT Expo, the Heat Treat Conference &amp; Exposition, and IMAT events, fostering meaningful connections that extend beyond the show floor. The week concludes with the Fall Technical Meeting Networking Reception on Thursday evening at the Corktown Taphouse, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This high-energy reception brings together professionals from across the gear industry in a relaxed, entertaining setting. Guests can enjoy interactive games such as augmented reality darts and duckpin bowling, along with more than 70 self-pour beverage options, including craft beers, ciders, wines, and non-alcoholic choices. It’s a chance to meet new colleagues, reconnect with familiar faces, and celebrate a week of innovation and collaboration. Full FTM passholders have access included, while tickets are also available for single-session passholders and MPT Expo attendees. From career-focused networking to immersive social experiences, these events offer more than just conversation — they provide a space to exchange ideas, gain perspective, and build the relationships that will shape the future of motion and power transmission. Fall Technical Meeting Dive into the latest advances in gear technology at AGMA’s Fall Technical Meeting, where leading researchers and industry experts from around the world share peer-reviewed findings, emerging trends, and practical insights. From design and rating to manufacturing, inspection, materials, and efficiency, this five-day program highlights the full spectrum of gear innovation. Attendees can engage directly with presenters, ask questions, and explore how cutting-edge research is shaping the future of the gear industry. The sessions cover a wide array of topics, including advanced bevel and planetary gear design, performance-driven e-drive systems, NVH optimization, surface integrity and heat treatment processes, and the integration of new materials and additive manufacturing techniques. Each presentation provides technical depth suitable for engineers, academics, and decision-makers seeking to stay at the forefront of power transmission technology. Education Courses MPT Expo offers a robust lineup of education courses designed for gear and power transmission professionals at every stage of their careers. Taught by industry experts, these courses cover everything from foundational gear principles to advanced analyses, materials, and manufacturing techniques. Conveniently located near the exhibit floor, participants can pair classroom learning with hands-on exposure to the latest technologies on display. Courses include the full AGMA Fall Technical Meeting, featuring peer-reviewed research on gear design, analysis, manufacturing, materials, heat treatment, and more. Specialized seminars cover topics such as EV and hybrid vehicle powertrains, gear noise management, integrated gear and bearing systems, analytical gear inspection, plastic gear design, and materials selection and heat treatment. With full-day sessions and in-depth hands-on exercises, these programs provide both practical knowledge and strategic insights to help engineers optimize performance, efficiency, and reliability in their designs.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Whether you’re seeking to expand your foundational understanding or tackle cutting-edge challenges in advanced gearing, the Education Courses at MPT Expo provide unmatched access to technical expertise, networking, and industry-leading instruction. What’s Brewing Power Breakfasts Kick off each morning at the Motion + Power Technology Expo with What’s Brewing Power Breakfasts, a dynamic series of expert-led discussions designed to fuel your knowledge and connections. These engaging sessions bring together industry leaders to explore key trends shaping the future of power transmission, including opportunities in robotics development, the latest aerospace innovations, and critical workforce and advocacy insights. Enjoy breakfast while gaining valuable perspective to help drive your business forward. Pricing for the breakfasts is $230 for a three-day pass for members and $260 for non-members when purchased in advance through October 20, or $260 for members and $285 for non-members if purchased late or onsite. Individual sessions are $85 for members and $95 for non-members in advance, or $95 for members and $105 for non-members late or onsite. Full FTM attendees receive complimentary access to all breakfast sessions as part of their registration. What’s Brewing in Robotics: Breakfast and Panel Tuesday, October 21 8:00 am–10:00 am This expert panel will explore the future of robotics. The discussion will cover key challenges and opportunities in the development of robots, particularly how safety, reliability, and cost considerations will shape electro-mechanical actuation systems. With the increasing demand for humanoid robots, the panel will delve into the projected growth of these technologies, addressing whether the forecasted numbers of robots will materialize. Through expert insights, the panel will provide a comprehensive view of the future of robots, exploring both the opportunities and challenges ahead, and the vital contributions of mechanical drive systems and gear manufacturing to this evolving field. What’s Brewing in Aerospace and Defense: Breakfast and Panel Wednesday, October 22 8:00 am–10:00 am Join a panel of leading experts for a series of short presentations exploring the latest innovations in aerospace, including new aircraft designs, advancements in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, and the broader future of air mobility. The discussion will also cover how manufacturers are approaching training for these advanced systems and the implications for power transmission, supply chains, and workforce development. The panel features Theodore Angel, Executive Director of the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE), who brings extensive experience in aviation, aerospace, and defense, including 27 years in the U.S. Air Force and leadership in regional aerospace development initiatives. Noel Mack, Chief Technology Officer at LIFT, adds more than 35 years of engineering and design experience, overseeing large-scale projects aligned with Department of Defense priorities and helping accelerate advanced manufacturing technology and talent development. Dr. Amy Thompson, Chief Technology Officer at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), rounds out the panel with expertise in digital engineering, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), smart and energy-efficient manufacturing, and workforce training, leading CCAT’s mission to support manufacturers in scaling technology adoption and strengthening industrial supply chains. Together, this panel offers a comprehensive view of how cutting-edge aerospace and defense technologies intersect with power transmission, providing insight into both the opportunities and technical challenges ahead. What’s Brewing in Workforce and Advocacy: Breakfast and Panel Thursday, October 23 8:00 am–10:00 am In this session, hear from a panel of experts on how to leverage local resources for grant funding, business visibility, and talent recruitment for US manufacturing companies. Explore how the current administration’s approach to grant funding shapes opportunities for manufacturers, and dive into industry pain points—what the sector needs and how to amplify its voice. Learn about critical local and state resources for manufacturers, including workforce development, continuing education, and advocacy strategies. This session is tailored to those looking to better navigate funding, recruitment, and industry growth.</span></p><p><br/></p>