Combining Simulation and Recurrent Neural Networks for Model-Based Condition Monitoring of Machines

Maintenance is pivotal in industry, with condition-based maintenance emerging as a key strategy. This involves monitoring the machine condition through sensor data analysis. Model-based approaches compare observed data with expected values from models, which requires high-quality models. An established method is to use simulation models, which in many cases produce good results but may lack precision due to uncertainties. Alternatively, models created by machine learning can detect patterns directly from data. This paper proposes combining simulation models with machine learning models, leveraging the simulation's a-priori knowledge and machine learning's data patterns to enhance models for condition monitoring. Recurrent neural networks are suggested as the machine learning method. The paper outlines a systematic approach and demonstrates its application in an industrial use case, which investigates vacuum processes in industrial furnaces.