Enhanced Bearing Fault Diagnosis Through Trees Ensemble Method and Feature Importance Analysis

Abstract Purpose This research introduces a groundbreaking method for bearing defect detection. It leverages ensemble machine learning (ML) models and conducts comprehensive feature importance analysis. The key innovation is the training and benchmarking of three tree ensemble models—Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)—on an extensive experimental dataset (QU-DMBF) collected from bearing tests with seeded defects of varying sizes on the inner and outer raceways under different operating conditions. Method The dataset was meticulously prepared with categorical variable encoding and Min–Max data normalization to ensure consistent class distribution and model accuracy. Implementing the ML models involved a grid search method for hyperparameter tuning, focusing on reporting the models’ accuracy. The study also explores applying ensemble methods and using supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms for bearing fault detection. It underscores the value of feature importance analysis in understanding the contributions of specific inputs to the model’s performance. The research compares the ML models to traditional methods and discusses their potential for advanced fault diagnosis in bearing systems. Results and Conclusions The XGBoost model, trained on data from actual bearing tests, outperformed the others, achieving 92% accuracy in detecting bearing health and fault location. However, a deeper analysis of feature importance reveals that the models weigh certain experimental conditions differently—such as sensor location and motor speed. This research’s primary novelties and contributions are comparative evaluation, experimental validation, accuracy benchmarking, and interpretable feature importance analysis. This comprehensive methodology advances the bearing health monitoring field and has significant practical implications for condition-based maintenance, potentially leading to substantial cost savings and improved operational efficiency.