ITD-HUST Lab Discusses Research Collaboration with the Precision Transmission Lab, National Central University, Taiwan

On July 14, 2026, ITD HUST Lab hosted a seminar and research meeting with Professor Yu Ren Wu from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Central University, Taiwan. The program focused on precision transmission technology, AI based machine monitoring, and potential collaboration between the two research groups.

Introduction to the Precision Transmission Lab

During the seminar, Professor Yu Ren Wu introduced the Precision Transmission Lab, or PTL, and its major research activities.

PTL focuses on the design and manufacturing of gears, compressor and pump rotors, vibration and noise analysis, multibody dynamics, and finite element simulation. Its research combines theoretical modelling, computer simulation, experimental testing, and industrial applications.

Many of PTL’s projects address practical engineering challenges. These include controlling gear surface texture to reduce noise, improving machining accuracy, studying gearbox faults, and increasing the performance and reliability of transmission systems.

Professor Wu also introduced the lab’s experience in supervising international students. PTL has welcomed many master’s and PhD students from Vietnam and other countries. This creates opportunities for international study, research collaboration, and academic exchange.

Combining the Strengths of the Two Research Groups

During the meeting, ITD HUST Lab presented its research activities in vibration based machine monitoring, signal processing, machine learning, deep learning, fault diagnosis, remaining useful life prediction, mechanical simulation, and industrial AI deployment.

The discussion showed that PTL and ITD HUST Lab have complementary research strengths.

PTL contributes expertise in gear geometry, mechanical design, manufacturing processes, dynamic modelling, vibration and noise analysis, and experimental test systems.

ITD HUST Lab contributes expertise in vibration measurement, signal analysis, artificial intelligence, anomaly detection, fault diagnosis, and predictive maintenance.

By combining these capabilities, the two groups could develop research that covers the full engineering process. This process begins with the design and manufacturing of a transmission system and continues with condition monitoring during operation.

Physics and AI Digital Twins for Smart Machine Monitoring

One potential direction for collaboration is the development of a physics and AI digital twin for gears, gearboxes, and precision transmission systems.

In simple terms, a digital twin is a virtual version of a real machine. It uses mechanical models to describe how the machine should operate and measurement data to understand its current condition.

By combining physical models with artificial intelligence, researchers can compare normal and abnormal behaviour, detect early signs of damage, and estimate when maintenance may be required.

Another proposed direction is to connect low noise mechanical design with smart condition monitoring. Design and manufacturing parameters can influence the vibration and noise produced by a machine.

Studying these connections could help researchers design quieter systems and identify faults more accurately during operation. It could also support better maintenance decisions and improve equipment reliability.

Research Progress on the Planetary Roller Screw

The meeting also included a progress report on the planetary roller screw mechanism.

A planetary roller screw converts the rotational movement of a screw into the linear movement of a nut. Instead of using balls, as in a conventional ball screw, it uses several threaded rollers to transfer the load.

Because many contact lines carry the load at the same time, the mechanism can provide high load capacity, high stiffness, and reliable operation under demanding conditions. However, its geometry, manufacturing process, and mechanical behaviour are more complex.

The research is being conducted in several stages.

The first stage focuses on verifying the normal movement of the mechanism through theoretical calculations and Adams simulation. Once the healthy model has been confirmed, different fault conditions can be introduced to generate vibration, torque, and other diagnostic signals.

The simulation results presented during the meeting showed close agreement with theoretical calculations. The differences were below one percent for the two main rotational relationships examined.

This result indicates that the simplified simulation model can correctly reproduce the expected movement of the planetary roller screw.

The findings provide a foundation for the next stage of the project. Future work will focus on fault simulation, digital twin development, and the use of transfer learning to connect simulated data with measurements from real equipment.

Expanding Opportunities for Research and Education

The seminar gave researchers and students an accessible overview of current developments in precision transmission technology and intelligent machine diagnostics.

It also allowed the two groups to discuss possible cooperation in joint research projects, experimental system development, shared datasets, academic publications, student supervision, and researcher exchange.

The combination of PTL’s expertise in mechanical design and manufacturing with ITD HUST Lab’s strengths in signal processing and artificial intelligence is expected to support practical research with strong industrial potential.

Through future collaboration, the two groups aim to connect laboratory research more closely with real engineering challenges and industrial needs.