Data-driven predictive maintenance strategy considering the uncertainty in remaining useful life prediction

Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance of Assets in Manufacturing Using LSTM-Autoencoders and Transformer Encoders

The production of multivariate time-series data facilitates the continuous monitoring of production assets. The modelling approach of multivariate time series can reveal the ways in which parameters evolve as well as the influences amongst themselves. These data can be used in tandem with artificial intelligence methods to create insight on the condition of production equipment, hence potentially increasing the sustainability of existing manufacturing and production systems, by optimizing resource utilization, waste, and production downtime. In this context, a predictive maintenance method is proposed based on the combination of LSTM-Autoencoders and a Transformer encoder in order to enable the forecasting of asset failures through spatial and temporal time series. These neural networks are implemented into a software prototype. The dataset used for training and testing the models is derived from a metal processing industry case study. Ultimately, the goal is to train a remaining useful life (RUL) estimation model.

Next-generation predictive maintenance: leveraging blockchain and dynamic deep learning in a domain-independent system

The fourth industrial revolution, often referred to as Industry 4.0, has revolutionized the manufacturing sector by integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine and deep learning, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cloud computing, cyber physical systems (CPSs) and cognitive computing, throughout the production life cycle. Predictive maintenance (PdM) emerges as a critical component, utilizing data analytic to track machine health and proactively detect machinery failures. Deep learning (DL), is pivotal in this context, offering superior accuracy in prediction through neural networks' data processing capabilities. However, DL adoption in PdM faces challenges, including continuous model updates and domain dependence. Meanwhile, centralized DL models, prevalent in PdM, pose security risks such as central points of failure and unauthorized access. To address these issues, this study presents an innovative decentralized PdM system integrating DL, blockchain, and decentralized storage based on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for accurately predicting Remaining Useful Lifetime (RUL). DL handles predictive tasks, while blockchain secures data orchestration. Decentralized storage safeguards model metadata and training data for dynamic models. The system features synchronized two DL pipelines for time series data, encompassing prediction and training mechanisms. The detailed material and methods of this research shed light on the system's development and validation processes. Rigorous validation confirms the system's accuracy, performance, and security through an experimental testbed. The results demonstrate the system's dynamic updating and domain independence. Prediction model surpass state-of-the-art models in terms of the root mean squared error (RMSE) score. Blockchain-based scalability performance was tested based on smart contract gas usage, and the analysis shows efficient performance across varying input and output data scales. A comprehensive CIA analysis highlights the system's robust security features, addressing confidentiality, integrity, and availability aspects. The proposed decentralized predictive maintenance (PdM) system, which incorporates deep learning (DL), blockchain technology, and decentralized storage, has the potential to improve predictive accuracy and overcome significant security and scalability obstacles. Consequently, this system holds promising implications for the advancement of predictive maintenance in the context of Industry 4.0.

A Study of the Impact of Predictive Maintenance Parameters on the Improvment of System Monitoring

Predictive maintenance can be efficiently improved by studying the sensitivity of the maintenance decisions with respect to changes in the proposed model parameters (costs, duration of reparation, etc.). To address this issue, we first propose an original approach that includes both maintenance costs and maintenance risks in the same objective function to minimize. This approach uses the RUL as an indicator of the health state of the system and supposes that the system is under regular inspections and can only be replaced by a new system in case of serious deterioration or failure. Then, we present a process of human decision making under uncertainty based on several criteria. Finally, we study and analyze the influence of the model parameters and their implications on the obtained maintenance policies. The study will lead to some recommendations that can improve the predictive maintenance decisions and help experts better handle maintenance costs.