Ball bearing test-rig research and fault diagnosis investigation

This study designed and implemented a bearing test rig with which four major features can be tested: axial and radial load, inner ring radial thrust and speed. This test rig can be used to observe forces being applied to the bearing. Replacements can also be quickly made according to bearing specifications. Optimisation of the four major features can be done using the orthogonal arrays of the Taguchi method. The contribution of vibration signals is analysed using the scientific method while the bearing is subjected to different forces. The different vibration signal modes are used for the detection of bearing faults using a method based on the Chen-Lee chaos system and fractal theory. The extension theory is used for intelligent fault diagnosis. The final experimental results obtained show that under different fault point diameters, the diagnostic rate can be up to 99% and the overall fault diagnostic rate achieved was 92%.