Randy Stott, Associate Publisher & Managing Editor, has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA in marketing. His background includes a wide variety of technical writing and editing in the automotive, software and manufacturing industries. He was instrumental in the launching of geartechnology.com in 1996, powertransmission. com in 1997 and Power Transmission Engineering in 2007. He joined Gear Technology in 1994 and became managing editor in 1998. He became Publisher & Editor-in-Chief in 2020.
We’ve made a lot of changes at PTE lately, including the redesign of our printed magazine and website with a sleek new logo and a more comfortable, vibrant, readable look and feel. You might think these changes are largely cosmetic. But they’re not. We began the process more than a year ago, and from the beginning, every decision was driven by a desire to serve you, the reader.
You might have noticed a few changes around here, starting with our new logo and new look, starting with the front cover and running throughout the magazine. PTE’s distinctive new logo is crisp and recognizable, while conveying a sense of motion.
As publishers, we’re constantly reevaluating our brand and our identity. We want our connection with you to remain close and fresh, so that when you see our publication, your reaction is, “Oh, yeah. These are my people. They speak my language.”
Of course, much of that reaction is derived from the content. But some of it is also from the design and how the content is presented. Over time, designs become stale. Fonts, color schemes and visual effects that were once popular become as outdated as bell-bottom pants. (Wait, never mind. I think those are back in style again. Anyway, you get my point.)
Recently I’ve had a number of people tell me how much they enjoy our work here at PTE. While it’s always nice to receive “attaboys,” these recent unsolicited compliments have been both thoughtful and specific, which is especially gratifying because they validate many of the choices we make as publishers.
Today’s pace of technological change defies description. I keep hearing that we’re in the middle of the next transformative leap in manufacturing, and with all the advances in robotics, automation, condition monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI), it’s hard to argue that we’re not. But it seems to me the pace of change is too fast for mere leaps and bounds. Industry 4.0 used to be a new thing, but we seemed to have skipped Industry 5.0 and are now talking about Industry 6.0 and beyond. By the time we stop long enough to define where we are, we’re no longer there.
We’re in the middle of industrial trade show season, and our team has been traveling to various events around the country to uncover the most relevant new technology related to power transmission and motion control. But we’re not done yet. In fact, I’d like to call your attention to two upcoming events that are of particular note.
There’s some really cool stuff headed your way, compliments of the editors. We have a lot of great content planned for the next several issues:
At the AGMA/ABMA annual meeting (held March 15–17 in Napa, CA), gear manufacturers, bearing manufacturers and industry suppliers spent a lot of time talking about one of the key issues affecting all of industry: finding and retaining skilled employees.
I hear about a lot of different approaches people are taking, including cooperations with local educational institutions, such as high schools, community colleges and technical trade schools. I heard the competition for dedicated young employees who are interested in joining a manufacturing team is so fierce that many companies who want to hire simply can’t. Some have even begun creating their own in-house training and education programs at least partially in order to bypass that competition and find and develop the necessary talent.
AI is everywhere.
It’s impacting every phase of life, and every business. Take this issue of Power Transmission Engineering, for example. We have articles about AI in hydraulic systems, automation systems and maintenance (p.15); smart farming and mobile robotics (p. 18); plus mentions of AI sprinkled throughout the rest of the issue.
Randy Stott, publisher of Power Transmission Engineering and Gear Technology magazines, recently sat down with Norm Parker, technical fellow and technical manager for Torque Transfer Systems at Stellantis, to discuss bearing technology during the Motion + Power Technology Expo in Detroit.
December is the sneakiest of months. I know it’s out there, lurking behind the other months. But no matter how old I get, it always manages to creep up on me. I swear I only looked away for a day or two, but alas, December got me again. You’d think by now that I’d be ready, that I’d have more of a clue about how time works. But no, apparently not. Here I am again, surprised that the year is almost over.
GT and PTE Presents "Ask the Expert Live," taking place October 17-18 during the Motion + Power Technology Expo at Huntington Place in Detroit.
This year, rather than focusing on gear basics or the more technical aspects of gear design and manufacturing, we’ve decided to address some of the issues that you’ve told us are most significant to you—the things you’re struggling with, the questions you’re hoping to find answers for, and the troubles that keep you up at night.
There are many ways we like to connect with our audience—in print (obviously), by e-mail, online at powertransmission.com, in person and via social media.
Motion + Power Technology (MPT) show brings together the gear and power transmission industries for a unique balance of education, new technologies and networking opportunities. The show takes place October 17-19,2023 in Detroit.
Trade show and event season is upon us. This issue we feature several upcoming shows that are extremely important in terms of mechanical power transmission components and the technology of motion control.
After reading Senior Editor Matt Jaster’s article this issue (“Advancing Technology for MRO,” p. 18), I have visions of the maintenance engineer of tomorrow. He’s not wearing a hard hat and steel-toe boots. No, he’s wearing ripped jeans and a ball cap (backwards), and he’s holding a game controller, because he’s operating the drone system your company is using to do visual and thermal inspection of your equipment, saving you enormous time and effort in your predictive maintenance routine.
Since OpenAI’s public introduction of ChatbotGPT, the Internet has been abuzz with talk about artificial intelligence and the implications of machines that can think and write and carry on conversations at least as well as some humans.
If you’ve watched any of the Star Wars/Disney+ series The Mandalorian, you’ve no doubt become familiar with the catchphrase “This is the Way,” often uttered by the main character and others who come from his home planet.
We’re starting to see some encouraging signs of life from the trade show industry. Recent shows have bounced back in a big way, including Automate 2022 and MODEX 2022. Will the upcoming IMTS and Hannover Messe USA continue the trend?
Yeah, there are going to be fewer exhibitors than typical IMTS shows. You'll probably even see some unclaimed booth space. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't go. In fact, this might be the best IMTS you'll ever have the chance to attend, especially if you have an interest in automation technology, motion control and precision mechanical components. As in years past, Hannover Messe USA will be co-located with IMTS. The Hannover Messe pavilion will be located in the East (Lakeside) building of Chicago's McCormick Place, along with the IMTS Mechanical Components pavilion. Power transmission and motion control with a view: what could be better?
We have a lot of great content planned for you over the coming months. Here are all the reasons why you should subscribe or renew your subscription today!
After 15 Years in Print and 25 Years Online, the Power Transmission Engineering Brand is Stronger than Ever
This issue marks the 15th anniversary of the launching of Power Transmission Engineering as a print magazine. Happy birthday, us! We created this magazine to provide a technical and informational resource on gearboxes, bearings, couplings and other mechanical power transmission components.
Everybody’s making electric cars these days. Luxury cars, sports cars, even trucks. And demand for them isn’t going to slow anytime soon, thanks to their better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, reduced noise and overall environmental friendliness. But there’s another factor, too. An electric vehicle is also a status symbol.
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