For over 40 years, MPMA (as AGMA) has hosted an annual technical conference, called the Fall Technical Meeting (FTM). It is the perfect forum in which to share new research and to disperse knowledge for the benefit of the gear and bearing manufacturing industries at a global level. These industries are faced with emerging trends and innovations that are challenging engineers to stay on course with cutting-edge technology to keep design, quality, materials, manufacturing, and analysis efficient. It is imperative that researchers and engineers communicate ideas with fellow experts in the field. The 2026 FTM will take place October 5–7 at the Hilton Rosemont–Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, IL. At the FTM, authors and presenters provide information on topics relevant to the gear and bearing industry. These may include subject matter related to: design and analysis; manufacturing and quality; materials, metallurgy, and heat treatment; operation, maintenance, and efficiency; and bearing or gear failure. Abstracts will be reviewed by members of the TDEC and chairs of the Emerging Technology Committees. Each presentation will have a Q&A portion for those gathered to exchange their ideas. Topics presented must be on relevant technical subjects that are original to the audience. This year, we are excited to announce some big changes for FTM.
Dual-track format In 2026, the FTM will expand into a dual-track format for the first time. The first track will maintain the traditional structure—featuring highly technical papers and presentations on new technologies, all peer-reviewed and indexed in Scopus. The new second track will consist of presentation-only sessions focused on cutting-edge developments, innovative company solutions to market challenges such as case studies or technological advancements in manufacturing or inspection, and emerging technologies poised to influence the future of the bearing and gear industries.
Gears and bearings Because the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) merged to form the Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance (MPMA) in 2025, MPMA is now the organizer of the Fall Technical Meeting – so both gear and bearing submissions are encouraged at this event. We are currently looking for abstracts to be included in the presentation-only second track. Co-hosting with STLE Another change for this year’s FTM is that MPMA will be co-hosting with the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE). STLE is the premier technical society serving the needs of more than 15,000 individuals and 200 companies and organizations that comprise the tribology and lubrication engineering business sector. STLE has professional education, certification programs, publications, and events that allow members to stay ahead in the technology and science of the field. One session in the presentation track will be dedicated to STLE-curated content. Attendees can expect presentations in alignment with the STLE trends report, based on the following topics: AI and Digitalization; Manufacturing; Thermal Management; Decarbonization; and Megalibrary. STLE members and those in the tribology and lubrication industry are also encouraged to submit abstracts related to gearing and bearings for the presentation-only track. And, because networking is a main driver for many engineers to attend FTM, this will be a unique opportunity to network with tribologists and lubrication engineers, in addition to your fellow gear and bearing engineers. We highly encourage you to submit a presentation abstract for this year’s new take on the classic FTM. The presentation abstract deadline is March 27, 2026.
(https://www.powertransmission.com)
More about VAFEM:
VAFEM is devoted to providing high quality ball & roller bearings and related transmission parts for domestic and foreign customers in the Vehicle industry and Industries. Our products used in automotive and truck industry mainly include : wheel bearings, wheel bearing kits, wheel hub bearings, alternator bearings, tensioner bearings, clutch bearings, and gear box bearings etc. Our industrial bearings are mainly used in these fields such as Industrial Automation, Home Appliances, Reducers, Agricultural Machines, Precision Machine Spindles, and Transmission Systems etc. As a high-tech company specializing in bearings, we can not only provide stable and trustworthy quality products for OEM customers, but also provide non-standard bearings based on customers’ special requirements. At the same time, we can provide a series of complete product lines and have our own brand VAFEM, it stands for the abbreviation of value added for every movement, which has been recognized by more and more customers and end users.
2026 New Week VAFEM product Recommendation:
A linear-motion bearing or linear slide is a bearing designed to provide free motion in one direction. There are many different types of linear motion bearings. Motorized linear slides such as machine slides, X-Y tables, roller tables and some dovetail slides are bearings moved by drive mechanisms. Not all linear slides are motorized, and non-motorized dovetail slides, ball bearing slides and roller slides provide low-friction linear movement for equipment powered by inertia or by hand. All linear slides provide linear motion based on bearings, whether they are ball bearings, dovetail bearings, linear roller bearings, magnetic or fluid bearings. X-Y tables, linear stages, machine slides and other advanced slides use linear motion bearings to provide movement along both X and Y multiple axis.
2026-03-23