Wear-debris analysis in expert systems

Abstract

The strategies of monitoring a machine's condition and carrying out operational equipment maintenance are changing, driven by the need for greater economic and time efficiency in modern industry. Nowadays, wear-debris analysis is becoming one of the key techniques used to screen for the presence of abnormal wear in many types of industrial machinery. It is required by industry to have a cost-effective and efficient wear-particle analysis technique to monitor the condition of a machine reliably. The project described here sought to develop a computerised smart system; that is, an expert system to interpret comprehensive data obtained from particle analysis, in order to assess wear modes and wear rates of gearboxes. This paper presents the development procedure, functions and advantages of the expert system.