Manufacturing and production processes are constantly challenged to ensure the longevity and efficient operation of their equipment, especially as it ages. Like any body subject to the passage of time, equipment breaks down due to friction, corrosion, thermal and mechanical cycling, vibration and other forces. The inevitable progression of these factors leads to reduced performance and, ultimately, equipment failure. The goal, then, is to determine when this will occur so that preventive maintenance can be performed at an optimal time to avoid failure at the lowest possible cost, without significantly affecting production.