Bench testing for bearing failure prognostics, aimed at providing real experimental data that describe failures during the bearings total life expectancy. The radial force applied aims to reduce the life expectancy to one day.

The platform allows carrying out the extensive experimentation needed to create a “remaining life expectancy” indicator also nammed “remaining useful life” (RUL). It makes use of algorithms developed with statistical techniques and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The goal of experimentation with PRONOSTIA is twofold:

• Continuous mapping of functioning conditions, such as rotation speed (incremental encoder) and radial stress (force sensor).
• Continuous mapping of failures by vibration analysis (IEPE accelerometers) and thermal analysis (PT100 temperature sensor).

To achieve the goal, the bench integrates an acquisition system (NI-9174 CompactDAQ), and a LabVIEW-developed application with functionalities designed to obtain total signal values at different sampling frequencies, visualize the signals on a scrolling graph and record all the obtained data in specifically formatted files.

Certain experimental data from PRONOSTIA are accessible and available for downloading on the NASA Pronostics Center of Excellence (PCoE) website.