Aerospace Gears

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2024-01-12

GKN Aerospace Invests in Additive Fabrication Capabilities

GKN Aerospace has boosted its commitment to sustainable manufacturing, with a £50 million (600 million SEK) investment in additive fabrication technology in Trollhättan, Sweden. GKN Aerospace has been at the forefront of additive fabrication for almost two decades, and has significant research and technology centers in Sweden, the UK and the US.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-08-01

Gear Industry Honors Frederic (Fred) Marlin Young (1943-2023)

Fred Young, 80, former president and CEO, Forest City Gear passed away on July 17, 2023. A graduate of Harlem High School, class of 1961, Young obtained his BA in English Literature from Rockford University, class of 1965, and went on to spend a year in the Navy Reserves. After spending nearly 40 years as an adventuring bachelor outdoorsman, he met the love of his life, Wendy Nutter, marrying her on the banks of the Wolf River on June 6, 1981. Fred’s greatest joys were his three daughters, whom he taught to always seek adventure, bestow kindness and generosity, treasure friendship, and work hard and play hard. Fred took over the family business, Forest City Gear, in 1967. Founded by his parents in 1955, Fred took the small mom-and-pop shop to a global level, leading the company to manufacture some of the world’s most difficult gearing for amazing end uses from NASA’s Martian rovers and space station to robotic arms and racing yachts.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-07-19

Frederic (Fred) Marlin Young (1943–2023)

It is with great sadness that Forest City Gear announces the death of Fred Young, former president and CEO. Fred took over the family business, Forest City Gear, in 1967. Founded by his parents in 1955, Fred took the small mom-and-pop shop to a global level, leading the company to manufacture some of the world's most difficult gearing for amazing end uses from NASA's Martian rovers and space station to robotic arms and racing yachts.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2022-11-03

Timken Closes Sale of Aerospace Business to PCX Aerostructures

The Timken Company has closed the sale of its Aerospace Drive Systems (ADS) business to PCX Aerostructures, LLC. Terms were not disclosed. ADS is a supplier of drive system components and sub-assemblies for military and civil rotorcraft applications. ADS revenue is expected to be around $50 million in 2022.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2017-12-01

Vibration and Operational Characteristics of a Composite-Steel (Hybrid) Gear

Free vibration and dynamic operation testing of hybrid gears at NASA Glenn Spur Gear Fatigue Test Facility; hybrid gears are compared to their steel counterparts.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2016-03-01

Gear Design Effects on Performance of High-Speed Helical Geartrains as Used in Aerospace Drive Systems

The performance of high-speed helical geartrains is of particular importance for tiltrotor aircraft drive systems. These drive systems are used to provide speed reduction/torque multiplication from the gas turbine output shaft and provide the necessary offset between these parallel shafts in the aircraft. Four different design configurations have been tested in the NASA Glenn Research Center, High-Speed Helical Geartrain Test Facility. The design configurations included the current aircraft design, current design with isotropic superfinished gear surfaces, double-helical design (inward and outward pumping), increased pitch (finer teeth), and an increased helix angle. All designs were tested at multiple input shaft speeds (up to 15,000 rpm) and applied power (up to 5,000 hp). Also two lubrication, system-related, variables were tested: oil inlet temperature (160–250° F) and lubricating jet pressure (60–80 psig). Experimental data recorded from these tests included power loss of the helical system under study, the temperature increase of the lubricant from inlet to outlet of the drive system and fling-off temperatures (radially and axially). Also, all gear systems were tested with and without shrouds around the gears.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2013-04-01

Up in the Air - Aerospace Gears

Volatile aerospace market keeps gear manufacturers guessing.