On-shaft ball bearings monitoring by using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) under stationary conditions

Abstract

Abstract Vibrational analysis is one of the usual methods to monitor rotational machines that uses sensors fixed on the frame. Although effective, this method can be expansive and uneasy to use particularly at slow speeds (<60 rpm). This paper offers to evaluate the capabilities of a 6-axes low-cost inertial measurement unit which is positioned on the shaft to detect and diagnose bearing defects. This study is based on experimental data allowing to (i) choose the most relevant axis for better defect detection, (ii) to compare statistical indexes using usual vibratory analysis for a speed range from 5 to 400 rpm and for five defect severities, (iii) to compute the defect severity from a shocks local study.