Obtaining a Set of Vibrational Signals from Rolling Bearings with Varying Degrees of Local Defect Development in the Outer Ring

Introduction. The creation of reliable test sets of vibration signals remains a critical challenge in vibrodiagnostics, as the lack of data on early-stage bearing defects hinders the development and validation of diagnostic algorithms. Experimental acquisition of such signals is limited by the absence of appropriate test specimens and the long duration required for defect progression. Existing numerical simulation approaches demand high computational resources and complex setup, reducing their practical applicability. A significant gap in current research is the absence of a simple, reproducible, and validated methodology for generating signals that reflect the progressive development of defects. The objective of this study is to create a simplified methodology for generating a test set of bearing vibration signals that can be used to develop and verify new vibrodiagnostic techniques. The methodology is based on a combination of experimental and simulated signals. Materials and Methods. Experimental data were obtained from a laboratory setup simulating a rotor unit with a rolling bearing (type 180603). To simulate early-stage defects (single and double chipping pits), dynamic finite element modelling was performed using ANSYS Mechanical (version 16.2) based on plane elements Plane162 using the LS-DYNA package. The resulting impulse sequences were superimposed onto the measured signal from a healthy bearing to generate combined signals. All signals (3 experimental, 2 combined) were analyzed using Fourier transform, bandpass filtering (5.4 kHz), and calculation of statistical parameters: root mean square (RMS), crest factor, and excess coefficient. Analysis was conducted in Mathcad (version 15.0). Results. As a result of the study, a method for generating a test set of vibration signals from a rolling bearing was developed, covering the serviceable state and the sequential development of a local defect of the outer ring. The results showed a correlation between the amplitude of vibration signals and the stages of defects — an increase in amplitudes was observed in the high-frequency region, which confirmed the interaction of rolling elements and defective surfaces. Additional statistical analysis revealed an increase in diagnostic parameters (RMS value, crest factor, and excess coefficient) as the damage developed. It was found that the simulated signals reproduced the characteristic signs of a defect and fitted correctly into the general trend of parameter changes. Discussion. The data obtained demonstrate that the proposed technique makes it possible to simplify the generation of reference signals without the need for long-term accumulation of experimental data or damage to equipment. The physical validity of the simulated pulses and the consistency of growth dynamics of diagnostic parameters with real data confirm the possibility of using this method for standardized testing of vibrodiagnostic techniques. Conclusion. The developed methodology provides an efficient and reproducible approach to generating test signal sets for vibrodiagnostics. It can be used to accelerate algorithm verification, reduce experimental costs, and improve diagnostic reliability. Future research will focus on simplifying impulse generation through analytical modelling and extending the methodology to other bearing types and defect forms.