Although the effectiveness of machine learning (ML) for machine diagnosis has been widely established, the interpretation of the diagnosis outcomes is still an open issue. Machine learning models behave as black boxes; therefore, the contribution given by each of the selected features to the diagnosis is not transparent to the user. This work is aimed at investigating the capabilities of the SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) to identify the most important features for fault detection and classification in condition monitoring programs for rotating machinery. The authors analyse the case of medium-sized bearings of industrial interest. Namely, vibration data were collected for different health states from the test rig for industrial bearings available at the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory of Politecnico di Torino. The Support Vector Machine (SVM) and k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN) diagnosis models are explained by means of the SHAP. Accuracies higher than 98.5% are achieved for both the models using the SHAP as a criterion for feature selection. It is found that the skewness and the shape factor of the vibration signal have the greatest impact on the models’ outcomes.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes enable their deployment in broad applications from aerospace to art, design, and architecture. Part quality and performance are the main concerns during AM processes execution that the achievement of adequate characteristics can be guaranteed, considering a wide range of influencing factors, such as process parameters, material, environment, measurement, and operators training. Investigating the effects of not only the influential AM processes variables but also their interactions and coupled impacts are essential to process optimization which requires huge efforts to be made. Therefore, numerical simulation can be an effective tool that facilities the evaluation of the AM processes principles. Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a widespread Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) AM process that due to its superior advantages, such as capability to print complex and highly customized components, which leads to an increasing attention paid by industries and academia. Temperature distribution and melt pool dynamics have paramount importance to be well simulated and correlated by part quality in terms of surface finish, induced residual stress and microstructure evolution during SLM. Summarizing numerical simulations of SLM in this survey is pointed out as one important research perspective as well as exploring the contribution of adopted approaches and practices. This review survey has been organized to give an overview of AM processes such as extrusion, photopolymerization, material jetting, laminated object manufacturing, and powder bed fusion. And in particular is targeted to discuss the conducted numerical simulation of SLM to illustrate a uniform picture of existing nonproprietary approaches to predict the heat transfer, melt pool behavior, microstructure and residual stresses analysis.

Mechanical vibrational energy, which is provided by continuous or discontinuous motion, is an infinite source of energy that may be found anywhere. This source may be utilized to generate electricity to replenish batteries or directly power electrical equipment thanks to energy harvesters. The new gadgets are based on the utilization of piezoelectric materials, which can transform vibrating mechanical energy into useable electrical energy owing to their intrinsic qualities. The purpose of this article is to highlight developments in three independent but closely connected multidisciplinary domains, starting with the piezoelectric materials and related manufacturing technologies related to the structure and specific application; the paper presents the state of the art of materials that possess the piezoelectric property, from classic inorganics such as PZT to lead-free materials, including biodegradable and biocompatible materials. The second domain is the choice of harvester structure, which allows the piezoelectric material to flex or deform while retaining mechanical dependability. Finally, developments in the design of electrical interface circuits for readout and storage of electrical energy given by piezoelectric to improve charge management efficiency are discussed.

Internal combustion engines are at present used as the major power sources for transportation and power generator. Improvement of the internal combustion engine efficiency is expected due to strict environmental standards and energy costs. Any reduction in oil consumption, friction power losses and emissions results in improving engines’ performance and durability. Automotive industries have intense passion to increase engines’ efficiency to meet the fuel economy and emission standards. Many studies have been conducted to develop reliable approaches and models to understand the lubrication mechanisms and calculate power losses. This review paper summarizes the synthesis of the main technical aspects considered during modeling of piston ring–liner lubrication and friction losses investigations. The literature review highlights the effects of piston ring dynamics, components geometry, lubricant rheology, surface topography and adopted approaches, on frictional losses contributed by the piston ring-pack.

Mechanical power loss of lubricated and bearing surfaces serves as an attractive domain for study and research in the field of internal combustion engines. Friction reduction at lubricated and bearing surface is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce gas emission and improve internal combustion engines’ efficiency. This thus motivates automotive industries and researchers to investigate tribological performance of internal combustion engines. Piston secondary motion has prime importance in internal combustion engines and occurs due to unbalanced forces and moments in a plane normal to the wrist pin axis. Consequently, piston executes small translations and rotations within the defined clearance during the piston reciprocating motion. Mechanical friction power loss and lubrication at piston skirt/liner and radiated engine noise are dramatically affected by piston secondary dynamics. The lubrication mechanism, piston secondary motion and tribological performance are affected by piston design parameters (piston/liner clearance, wrist pin offset, skirt profile, etc.), lubricant rheology, oil transport mechanism and operating conditions. Therefore, this review is devoted to summarize the synthesis of main technical aspects, research efforts, conclusions and challenges that must be highlighted regarding piston skirt/liner lubrication and piston dynamics and slap.