Estimation on Reliability Models of Bearing Failure Data

The failure data of bearing products is random and discrete and shows evident uncertainty. Is it accurate and reliable to use Weibull distribution to represent the failure model of product? The Weibull distribution, log-normal distribution, and an improved maximum entropy probability distribution were compared and analyzed to find an optimum and precise reliability analysis model. By utilizing computer simulation technology and k-s hypothesis testing, the feasibility of three models was verified, and the reliability of different models obtained via practical bearing failure data was compared and analyzed. The research indicates that the reliability model of two-parameter Weibull distribution does not apply to all situations, and sometimes, two-parameter log-normal distribution model is more precise and feasible; compared to three-parameter log-normal distribution model, the three-parameter Weibull distribution manifests better accuracy but still does not apply to all cases, while the novel proposed model of improved maximum entropy probability distribution fits not only all kinds of known distributions but also poor information issues with unknown probability distribution, prior information, or trends, so it is an ideal reliability analysis model with least error at present

Reliability Evaluation for the Running State of the Manufacturing System Based on Poor Information

The output performance of the manufacturing system has a direct impact on the mechanical product quality. For guaranteeing product quality and production cost, many firms try to research the crucial issues on reliability of the manufacturing system with small sample data, to evaluate whether the manufacturing system is capable or not. The existing reliability methods depend on a known probability distribution or vast test data. However, the population performances of complex systems become uncertain as processing time; namely, their probability distributions are unknown, if the existing methods are still taken into account; it is ineffective. This paper proposes a novel evaluation method based on poor information to settle the problems of reliability of the running state of a manufacturing system under the condition of small sample sizes with a known or unknown probability distribution. Via grey bootstrap method, maximum entropy principle, and Poisson process, the experimental investigation on reliability evaluation for the running state of the manufacturing system shows that, under the best confidence level P=0.95, if the reliability degree of achieving running quality is r>0.65, the intersection area between the inspection data and the intrinsic data is A(T)>0.3 and the variation probability of the inspection data is PB(T)≤0.7, and the running state of the manufacturing system is reliable; otherwise, it is not reliable. And the sensitivity analysis regarding the size of the samples can show that the size of the samples has no effect on the evaluation results obtained by the evaluation method. The evaluation method proposed provides the scientific decision and suggestion for judging the running state of the manufacturing system reasonably, which is efficient, profitable, and organized

Advances in Bearing Lubrication and Thermal Sciences

This reprint focuses on the hot issue of bearing lubrication and thermal analysis, and brings together many cutting-edge studies, such as bearing multi-body dynamics, bearing tribology, new lubrication and heat dissipation structures, bearing self-lubricating materials, thermal analysis of bearing assembly process, bearing service state prediction, etc. The purpose of this reprint is to explore recent developments in bearing thermal mechanisms and lubrication technology, as well as the impact of bearing operating parameters on their lubrication performance and thermal behavior