2008 Product Application Workshop Highlights
PTDA Members Boost Technical Knowledge at the Product Application
Workshop
Twenty-six power transmission/motion control sales specialists
gathered at Henry Ford Community College in Detroit, Mich., to
further their product knowledge at PTDA’s Product Application
Workshop. After three days of training led by instructors who have
taught and worked in industrial distribution, the course attendees
emerged with a deepened understanding of the components used in typical
industrial applications and processes.
"I was able to get a view from the user perspective rather than as a
customer service representative," said Carlos Navarrete, a customer
service representative for Jamaica Bearings Co., Inc.
From November 18-20, 2008, workshop attendees were separated in to
three groups based on experience level and attended concurrent workshop
sessions each day. Each session discussed product specifics,
including:
• Industry terminology.
• Application and use of PT/MC products.
• Relationship of the PT/MC products in an application.
• Measurement of PT/MC products.
• Installation and mounting of PT/MC components.
• Tools used to install, measure and/or mount a product.
Designed to equip sales and support staff with the technical
knowledge they need to provide technical support to customers, Product
Application Workshop attendees learned the essentials of power
transmission/motion control products through three day-long sessions:
Mechanical I, Mechanical II and Electrical. During the sessions,
attendees developed their ability to assist customers in designing
processes that increase productivity and uptime, gained an understanding
of how components are utilized in typical industrial applications and
practiced assessing and solving customers' open-ended problems through
an applications process.
Taught by current and former Henry Ford Community College
instructors, Miles Jarvis and Don Unsworth, the mechanical session
attendees worked in small groups with:
• Bearings
• Belt drives
• Chain drives
• Clutches and brakes
• Conveyors and components
• Couplings and u-joints
• Gears
Eric Nowak, warehouse manager, MPT Drives, Inc., said "I loved the
group break-up. It allowed me to share experiences with
individuals at the same knowledge level I’m at, as well as learn
from their experiences. I learned about as much in the workshop in
three days as I have on the job in six months."
In Mechanical I, attendees identified various tools and bearing
heaters used to mount and dismount bearings and to install a bearing to
a shaft and remove it. Problem-solving skills were put to
the test as participants learned to select correct replacement bearings
from a cross-reference chart and to identify various bearing failures
and their causes, which will enable them to give better service to their
customers.
Mechanical II taught attendees to identify the power transmission
components used in various conveyor systems. During the
gears’ section, they learned how to identify the type of gear
orientation and the specific style of gear used in an application,
measure backlash of a spur gear and select the proper gear or gear drive
for specific applications.
The instructors for the electrical session, Dan Lindholm and Adolfo
Zevallos-Rodriquez, used live demonstrations and labs to aid their
instruction of electrical products, including:
• Motors
• Motor controls and sensors
• Adjustable-speed drives
Electrical session lab activities featured DC motors and DC
generators, AC induction motors, across the line starters, forward and
reversing starters, AC variable frequency drive and automation work
cells.
The Product Application Workshop included worksheets and activities
for the attendees to work on during the labs. Small classes
allowed students to spend more time with the instructors, to experience
the hands-on applications and demonstrations, and to share their
experiences and network with fellow classmates.
"All of the work we did in the labs, especially the motors part, will
help me better serve my customers. The instructors had a lot of
knowledge and the flow of the material was very educational," said
Navarett. "The material covered was what we deal with every
day."
The education didn’t stop at the classroom. A dinner on
the first night brought together all the attendees to discuss what
they’d learned – and many continued to meet after class for
dinner and networking.
Open only to PTDA members, the November event was the second offering
of the Product Application Workshop. The workshop is geared toward
four positions: current employees who have the potential of moving
into sales, counter sales staff, inside sales staff or outside sales
staff/account managers looking for a refresher course.
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