New scientific publication from the LECAD laboratory
Our researchers have published a scientific article in the journal Wear (2026) presenting an innovative approach to measuring wear in laminated polymer composite gears⚙️.
Authors: Aleš Durjava, Bor Mojškerc, Zoran Bergant, Nikola Vukasinovic
Polymer gears are frequently used in applications where lubrication must be avoided due to the risk of environmental contamination, such as in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Despite this widespread use, there has so far been no systematic monitoring of microplastic emissions generated during the operation of polymer gears.
In the article Image-based monitoring of material emissions for wear characterization of laminated polymer composite gears, we present a methodology that shifts the focus from the worn surface of a component to the product of wear itself—wear particles. By combining digital microscopy with computer-based image analysis, we measure the morphological parameters of these particles, enabling repeatable and quantitative identification of wear patterns that cannot be detected by conventional methods.
A key advantage of the proposed approach is non-invasive sampling, as wear monitoring is performed without interfering with the system or removing the worn component from operation. Reviewers of the special issue highlighted the novelty of the approach, particularly in terms of providing a different, measurable, and repeatable way of monitoring wear.
✨This publication represents a new research contribution from the LECAD laboratory to the development of advanced, reliable, and sustainability-oriented wear monitoring methodologies.
#LECAD #Research #Wear #CompositeMaterials #ComputerVision #Microplastics #Sustainability #MechanicalEngineering
