Machinery Diagnostics: Fundamentals and Tribosystem Applications

Abstract

Machinery Diagnostics deals with the “health” of machines – characterized by “structural integrity” and “functional performance” – and the examination of faults and failures by nondestructive evaluation. The aim of this chapter of the Tribologie-Handbuchis to present the fundamentals of machinery diagnostics and to apply them to tribosystems, which are technical entities containing interacting components in relative motion, subject to friction and wear. The presentation of failure prevention strategies includes root-cause analysis, statistical control, reliability engineering, and asset maintenance. Condition monitoring deals with vibration monitoring, oil monitoring, corrosion monitoring, thermal monitoring, and electrical signature analysis. The application of machinery diagnostics to tribosystems is exemplified with bearings, gears, seals, lubricants and hydraulic systems.