This issue we take a long, hard look at motor efficiency, and you should, too. After all, electric motors used in industrial settings are the single largest consumer of electricity in the United States. Upgrading your electric motors is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for your bottom line. Sure, saving electricity lessens the burden on our country’s energy infrastructure. But it also saves you money in the long run.

Gear Expo 2015 takes place October 20–22 in Detroit. If you haven’t already made plans to attend the show, you might be might be missing out on a great chance to learn more about gears, find new potential suppliers and network with your peers.

We’ve recently completed a major redesign of the powertransmission. com website. I know what you’re thinking. Big deal, right? Websites are redesigned every day. It’s not really news. You’re right, of course. We’re in the news business, and when companies send us press releases about their newly redesigned websites, our first instinct as editors is to respond the same way. So what. Big deal. Moving on.

In this issue’s cover story, Stefan Hantke describes an evolving marketplace that requires smarter components and more integrated solutions. In fact, Hantke, who was recently named head of global industrial sales for the Schaeffler Group, goes so far as to predict that within a few short years, every bearing will have a wire coming out of it.

Hi. My name is Renee. I’m 12. You might remember me from about a year ago, when my dad wrote about me and the home-made motor project we did together (“Make the Connection,” February 2014).

This issue we present our Hannover Fair preview. As most of you know, Hannover is one of the biggest trade shows on Earth, and by far the largest that includes a significant focus on mechanical power transmission components.

Engineers are often challenged with the seemingly impossible task of doing more with less. Customers want more power transmitted in a smaller space, they want more efficient designs, and, of course, they want to spend less money. So engineers are always looking for ways to squeeze the most out of their mechanical systems. They’re constantly working to maximize power density, increase energy efficiency and reduce costs to meet their customers’ needs.

In the Stott household, we love math. Well, maybe not everyone in my household loves it equally, but since they were in kindergarten, whenever one of my children asked me for help with math homework, my reply has been an instant and cheerful “We love math!”

If you read only one article this issue, it should be Norm Parker’s article on the Chinese bearing manufacturing industry. Parker is an engineer with General Motors, a true industry insider who has become a regular contributor to Power Transmission Engineering.

This issue we've got something for everyone.