A framework for the detection and identification of machine faults through
vibration measurements and higher order statistics (HOS) analysis is presen
ted, As traditional signal processing techniques are based on the nonparame
tric magnitude analysis of vibration signals, in this paper, two different
state-of-the-art HOS-based methods, namely, a nonparametric phase-analysis
approach and a parametric linear or nonlinear modeling approach are used fo
r machine fault diagnostic analysis. The focus of this paper is on the appl
ication of the techniques, not on the underlying theories. Each technique i
s described briefly and is accompanied by an experimental discussion on how
it can be applied to classify the synthetic mechanical and electrical faul
ts of induction machines compared with their normality. Promising results w
ere obtained which show that the presented methodologies are possible appro
aches to perform effective preventive maintenance in rotating machinery.