WHAT IS G.E.A.R. SCHOOL?
G.E.A.R. School is a focused technical training program developed by Sumitomo Drive Technologies in response to a common concern from our customers: the lack of hands-on gearbox knowledge among the teams responsible for their operation, maintenance, and reliability.
CURRICULUM AND GOAL
The curriculum was designed specifically to close that gap. Over two days, attendees will receive a practical overview of gearboxes—from design principles to failure analysis and repair.
The goal is simple: help your team communicate more effectively, troubleshoot issues with confidence, and avoid preventable failures that lead to costly downtime.
Session 1: March 3rd - 4thSession 2: May 19th - 20th- Session 3: September 22nd - 23rd
WHY IT MATTERS?
Enhances Performances
Investing in technical training improves safety, efficiency, and retention. 84% of organizations emphasize job-related training because it directly enhances daily performance.
Builds Confidence
Building this knowledge changes how people work. They stop guessing, start catching issues sooner, and feel more confident taking the lead when something looks off.
Provides Fresh Insights
Effective technical instruction encourages cross-functional collaboration and confidence, often leading to fresh insights from teams that understand both operations and maintenance.
Reduces Downtime
Predictive maintenance, which is one of our key course topics, is used by 30–40% of plants and contributes to cutting unplanned downtime by up to 50%
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
The two-day course includes classroom instruction as well as hands-on learning with a dedicated demo gearbox, allowing participants to see live demonstrations.
DAY ONE
• How to communicate clearly with suppliers and support teams
• Gear terminology and rating basics
• What gear failure modes look like and how to read them
• Understanding bearing and seal designs
• Lubrication selection, application, and risks
DAY TWO
• Common gearbox repair options
• How to inspect units in the field and write effective reports
• Storage, startup, and operational practices
• How to improve performance with available enhancements
• Demo of a gearbox assembly
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This course is a strong fit for professionals who deal with gearboxes on any level:
- Rotating equipment operators
- Reliability engineers
- Maintenance leads
- Millwrights and field service technicians
- Mechanical engineers and designers
- Project engineers or managers
You don’t need to be a specialist to benefit—anyone who needs to understand what’s happening inside the gearbox and how to keep it running longer will gain valuable insight.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
SCOTT FRANKS, PE
Director of Engineering – International Aftermarket
EXPERIENCE
Scott Franks is a licensed Professional Engineer with more than 32 years of experience in power transmission, including over two decades focused specifically on aftermarket services. He holds an engineering degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Stephen F. Austin University.
CAREER
Throughout his career, Scott has worked across key areas such as low-speed special designs, high-speed rotor dynamics, field service, and repair operations. In 2015, he founded LUFTEX Gears, where he served as VP of Operations and Engineering before the company was acquired by Sumitomo Drive Technologies in 2020.
Today, Scott leads as the Director of Engineering - International Aftermarket for the Americas, supporting customers across a wide range of industries with expert guidance and practical solutions
Ready to Enroll?
To schedule training or request a custom proposal, contact us today.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 936-632-3679