Abstract

In this work, spalling is naturally initiated on the bearing raceway during its operation on the test bench. The experimental procedure used consists of monitoring the deterioration of the ball bearing until its failure with an online acquisition of vibration signals. Vibration analysis is the method used to characterize the damage. In order to obtain a significant trend curve, spalling surface has been measured several times during the lifetime of the tested bearing. These measurements allowed plotting the fatigue curve which has been found to follow a power law. The root mean square (RMS) indicator has been used to follow the bearing’s degradation using vibration time signals. The RMS trend curve has been established, and its reliability in following the spall growth has been discussed. Finally, the RMS falling problem has been addressed and well discussed using experimental investigation.

Key words: Predictive maintenance, fatigue spalling, root mean square falling, vibration monitoring, rolling contact fatigue.