How to Use AI in Predictive Maintenance – Physics Meets Artificial Intelligence
Learn how ADASH DDS combines physics-based ADVISOR diagnostics with AIDY Pro AI to interpret vibration data, ask better questions and guide maintenance.
A vibration peak is a fact. Its cause is a hypothesis. Is the machine suffering from a bearing defect, hydraulic pulsation, electrical excitation, resonance — or vibration transmitted from somewhere else?
Finding out takes more than a spectrum. It takes context.
That is the idea behind ADVISOR + AIDY Pro in ADASH DDS: reliable, physics-based diagnostics combined with an AI colleague that can connect clues, challenge assumptions, explore technical knowledge and help the maintenance team make better decisions.
The foundation: deterministic diagnostics + machine-aware AI
DDS stores, organizes and processes vibration measurements, spectra, trends and machine information.
ADVISOR (DDS feature) evaluates machine condition using defined, repeatable mathematical and diagnostic rules — not generative AI. Its conclusions are based on consistent, physics-based analysis.
AIDY Pro (ADASH AI) takes this further. It works with the ADVISOR assessment and relevant machine data provided by DDS. It can explain diagnostic findings, investigate possible causes, request missing information and recommend the next useful step.
The mathematical assessment remains the reference. AI adds understanding, context and reasoning.
What makes AIDY a genuinely useful colleague?
A tireless analyst. AIDY can examine large amounts of available spectra, historical measurements and operating conditions, connect frequency patterns, identify unusual trends and summarize complex data. Work that might take a specialist hours of manual comparison becomes a focused technical conversation.
An assistant that asks the right questions. Rather than jumping to conclusions, AIDY can ask about actual running speed, load, recent maintenance, sensor position, impeller geometry or machine foundations. Sometimes, one well-placed question changes the entire direction of an investigation.
Technical knowledge across disciplines. AIDY combines its specialized ADASH knowledge base — including instrument manuals, vibration theory and diagnostic procedures — with machine-specific information provided by DDS and the user. It can also search the web for publicly available technical resources, manufacturer documentation, engineering references, case studies and best practices from around the world. The result is an assistant that can connect vibration diagnostics with mechanics, electrical engineering, hydraulics and other disciplines.
A critical second opinion. AIDY can challenge an initial interpretation, explore alternative explanations, identify inconsistent measurements and recommend a targeted verification test. Its purpose is not simply to agree with the technician, but to help reach a better-supported conclusion.
A tutor for beginners and a sparring partner for experts. AIDY explains basic FFT concepts, assists with ADASH instruments and measurement configuration, and can also discuss advanced calculations, signal processing, measurement strategies and complex diagnostic questions — all in the user's language and at the appropriate technical level.
A bridge from analysis to maintenance action. AIDY can prepare inspection procedures, suggest monitoring priorities, recommend further measurements and create diagnostic reports or clear summaries for technicians and maintenance managers. The goal is not another complicated graph. The goal is knowing what to do next.
The secret ingredient is context — and AIDY is not clairvoyant
Even the most advanced AI cannot know what it has not been told.
Was the machine recently repaired? Was the vibration sensor mounted differently? Is the pump operating far from its best efficiency point? Is the motor driving another machine through a gearbox?
These details can completely change the interpretation of vibration data.
Start with the machine, not just the vibration spectrum. Describe what you know, provide relevant data, and let AIDY guide the investigation through targeted questions.
That is why accurate machine descriptions, photographs, technical drawings, bearing and gearbox information, actual operating conditions and maintenance history are so valuable. Store this information in DDS and make the relevant context available to AIDY Pro.
The better the context, the better the guidance.
And when AIDY asks a question you cannot answer? That is valuable too. You have just discovered which information is missing and what should be checked next.
AI should help reduce uncertainty — not hide it behind confident answers.
More than a chatbot — and still evolving
AIDY is not simply a general-purpose chatbot with an ADASH logo. It is specialized for vibration diagnostics and predictive maintenance, supported by an extensive technical knowledge base and carefully designed operating instructions that reflect ADASH expertise.
AIDY Free provides web-based assistance with vibration analysis, predictive maintenance and ADASH products.
AIDY Pro, integrated into DDS, goes further by working with machine-specific data and the deterministic diagnostic assessment from ADVISOR.
Users can already benefit from technical explanations, diagnostic assistance, troubleshooting, complex data analysis and report preparation.
The future of predictive maintenance is not about replacing engineers with artificial intelligence. It is about giving engineers better tools to understand their machines, make informed decisions and act faster.
DDS provides the data. ADVISOR provides the mathematical diagnosis. AIDY Pro adds context and guides the next steps.
Watch the video: How ADVISOR works
