Bram Vervisch

Prof. Dr. Bram Vervisch - Ghent University, ORBITS‍

Beyond Predictive Maintenance: Prioritizing the "Why" Over the "When" in Electric Drivetrains

Abstract: While predictive maintenance has emerged as a highly sought-after objective across various industrial sectors—offering a compelling theoretical alternative to reactive and periodic maintenance approaches—its primary focus is often misplaced. Currently, both academia and industry are investing heavily in advanced measurement techniques and modeling to predict exactly when an industrial asset will fail. However, this presentation argues that this objective is fundamentally insufficient. Even if forecasting the precise time of failure were perfectly accurate, understanding why a component fails is of far greater strategic importance.

The vast majority of faults in electrical drive systems are entirely preventable if their underlying causes are addressed. Therefore, this presentation shifts the focus to the fundamental failure behavior of electrical machines. We will demonstrate how this behavior can be systematically mapped and understood using a Reliability Impact Analysis (RIA). Furthermore, we advocate for a paradigm shift in condition monitoring techniques: methodologies must prioritize identifying the root cause (the “why”) over merely predicting the failure timeline (the “when”). Finally, we will introduce the Machine Health Scan developed by ORBITS as a practical, industry-ready solution designed to achieve this proactive, root-cause-driven objective.

Biography: Bram Vervisch is a distinguished expert in mechanical vibrations, complex machinery diagnostics, and predictive maintenance. As the co-founder and managing director of ORBITS, he is part of a specialized team that provides advanced diagnostic solutions to international companies in demanding sectors such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and offshore. His current focus is on guiding the company’s strategic vision and driving technical innovation. In addition to his role at ORBITS, he shares his extensive knowledge as a visiting professor at Ghent University (UGent), where he teaches Machine Optimization and Machinery Diagnostics. With a PhD in rotordynamics from UGent and ISO 18436 CAT III certification, Bram draws on his strong academic background in classical vibration and Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) to oversee the translation of complex theoretical data into sustainable, high-level industrial solutions.

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