Methods for estimating component wear

A computer-implemented method for estimating component wear, comprising:

• performing a first clustering analysis on a first plurality of measurements to identify one or more clusters in the first measurements, wherein the first measurements comprise measurements of α parameter of a component taken during use of the component;
• generating a first alert when a new cluster is identified in the first measurements;
• performing, in parallel with the first clustering analysis, a second clustering analysis on a second plurality of measurements to identify one or more clusters in the second measurements, wherein the second measurements comprise measurements of the parameter of the component, taken after the first alert has been generated and during further use of the component;
• continuing the first clustering analysis on the first measurements, and introducing the second measurements from the second clustering analysis to the first clustering analysis, to identify one or more clusters in the combined first and second measurements;
• and
• generating a second alert when a new cluster is identified in the combined first and second measurements.