The development of an expert system to monitor the condition of gearboxes using wear debris analysis techniques

Abstract

Wear debris analysis is an integral component of oil analysis, and is an extremely powerful technique as it can relate directly to the cause of wear. However, samples are currently analysed by an experienced tribologist: a process that is time consuming, labour intensive and very costly. Because of these limiting factors, wear debris analysis is not applied as widely as its benefits would suggest. Major advantages are to be gained by applying the field of wear debris analysis to an expert system, making the field much cheaper, quicker, objective and accessible. This project considers the development of such an expert system that is capable of analysing comprehensive wear debris data generated using multi-techniques and providing realistic machine maintenance solutions to gearboxes, one of the most common machinery used in industry. This paper presents the development procedure as well as the capabilities and features of the completed system.