Accurate Estimation of Remaining Useful Life of a Component in Industry

Purpose and goal

The goal of the project was that the project leader becomes a world class expert in estimating remaining useful lifetime distributions needed to improve service-operation´s efficiency. New inventions that ABB wants to patent and use in future products together with scientific articles indicate that the goal has been reached. In his keynote speech given in an IEEE conference, technology manager of ABB presented the main results of the project under the title "Prescriptive service solutions for marine applications: an example remaining useful lifetime of bearings in Azipod".

Expected results and effects

The project leader got deeper knowledge on RUL estimation, IoTPS, preventive maintenance planning, modern machine learning and usage of Bayesian statistics. The project gave him a more academic approach to his research, improved his academic network, gave him leadership training, and made it possible to actually utilize his position as docent at the University of Jyväskylä. This project will strongly contribute to the applicants´ possibilities to reach the next carrier level, Senior Principal Scientist, within ABB.

Planned approach and implementation

The project leader has achieved the goal by working half of his working hours at the University of Jyväskylä. The work included all the processes needed to become an expert in RUL prediction: performing literature studies, analyzing and testing the applicability of latest findings in research by using data from the pilot case, writing scientific articles; all that together with senior scientists and visiting professors at the University. Supervision of the PhD student and giving lectures were also important parts of the learning process.