in a process for early detection of damage top machine parts , particularly rolling element bearings , vibrations are detected by means of a vibration pickup in order to make it possible to describe the present condition of the machine part as well as to estimate the remaining service life of the machine part . the picked - up signals are broken down into periodically determined stochastic and generally stochastic signal components . the signal components for determining the parameters for the stress of the machine part are examined as a function of time and the ascertained stress parameters are compared with characteristics values for the permissible stress of the machine part for purposes of determining the type of damage and / or for determining the extent of the damage .