How to Balance Single Plane Rotor Systems

Single Plane Balance Response

Page 1

Definition: Balancing is the act of adding (or removing) small masses (rotor mass) to (from) a rotor in order to reduce the 1X vibration levels. Note: The use of velocity and acceleration transducers, means a loss of slow roll/bow data so that balancing usually cannot be properly done. Shaft relative displacement is required for this task. The location and size of the mass must produce a response in the rotor that is opposite the response being caused by the unbalance mass. Instead of using trial weights each time we balance a machine in an attempt to find the correct location and size, we can use our knowledge of the predictable response of a rotor. We can, for a given set of operating conditions, use a calibration weight to determine, through the rotor response, how that location and size of mass effects the rotor.

Increased Vibration is Not Necessarily Due to a Balance Problem Before attempting to balance a rotor, remember that increased 1X vibration may be attributed to changes other than unbalance. These other changes may include a decrease in dynamic stiffness or a change in rotor bow. Additionally, an increase in overall vibration may be due to increased vibration at frequencies other than shaft rotative speed.

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Page 2 I. Calibration Weight

Machinery Diagnostics

A. RULE OF THUMB: (When other information about the response of the system is unavailable): If you have no prior knowledge of the machine, use a calibration weight, at a radius r, which causes a force equal to 5 - 10 percent of the static weight of the rotor as calculated at the balancing speed. This percentage can be increased by up to a factor of ten with good prior knowledge of the machine and its influence vectors. 1. Slow ramp rate machines. Use a calibration weight closer to the upper end of the range, i.e., corresponding to about 10 percent of the rotors static weight if you have no prior knowledge of the machine. 2. Fast ramp rate machines (i.e., electric motors) Use a calibration weight closer to the lower end of the range, i.e., corresponding to about 5 percent of the rotors static weight if you have no prior knowledge of the machine. B. Newtons Law Using Newtons Law we can obtain the force caused by a calibration weight.
Fc = M c a = M c rc 2

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Single Plane Balance Response Where: Fc = Rotating Force (lbs or Newtons) Mc = Mass of Calibration Weight (lbs /in or kg) a = Radial Acceleration of the Rotor (in/s or m/s ) rc = Radius of Calibration Weight (in or m) = Shaft Rotative Speed (rad/s) II. The Graphical Balancing Technique
M lb s 2 =
1 rad/s =
2 2 2

Page 3

Common Conversions The following conversion factors are helpful when using Newtons law to describe rotating machinery

1 rev/min (s/min) 9.55 (rad/rev)

Wlb 386(in/s 2 )

A. Record the condition of the machine, i.e., rotor speed, process state, temperature, etc. Record and plot the amplitude and phase of the original unbalance response vector, O .
0

in

M kg =

W N kg m

9.81(m/s )

s2 2

O
rpm = ____________

270

90

O = _______ mils pp ______

5 mils pp full scale
180

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Page 4

Machinery Diagnostics

B. Stop the machine and insert a calibration weight. Record the size and angular location of the weight placement. Return the rotor to the same condition and record and plot the amplitude and phase of the new unbalance response vector, O + C . The new vibration is the response to the original unbalance plus the unbalance caused by the calibration weight. The change in the response is due to the change in the unbalance force.
0

Wcal

O +C
270 90

Wcal = ______ g _____

O + C = ___ mils pp ___

5 mils pp full scale
180

C. Subtract the original unbalance response O from the response due to the original unbalance plus the calibration weight O + C . This will leave the response due only to the calibration weight, i.e., O + C O= C.

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Single Plane Balance Response

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This subtraction can be done graphically by drawing a vector from the head of O to the head of O + C . The resultant vector must point to the head of O + C . This response is due only to the calibration weight. Label it C .
0

Wcal
O

This difference is caused by the systems response to the calibration weight.

270

O +C

90

C = ______ mils pp ______

5 mils pp full scale

180

Measure the amplitude and direction of C . Note: If C is translated to the axis origin, these measurements will be easier to make. (Two vectors are equal if their amplitudes and directions are the same, it doesnt matter where they begin or end).

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Page 6

Machinery Diagnostics

D. Remove the calibration weight. Assuming the rotor responds linearly, the size of the correction weight which will produce a response of - O , equal in amplitude but opposite in direction to O , is determined as follows: Wcal
0

Wcor - Wcal = -O - C
Wcor

Wcor = -O - C + Wcal Wcor = ______

270

O +C
-O

90

C
C

Wcor O = Wcal C

-O
5 mils pp full scale

Wcor =

180

O Wcal C

Wcor = ______

The location of the correction weight is determined by measuring the angle between C and - O . If the rotor responds linearly, the angular relationship between where weight is placed and the direction of the machine response will remain constant. In other words, the angle from Wcal to Wcor is the same as the angle from C to - O .

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Single Plane Balance Response III. Influence vector calculation The influence vector H is an important characteristic of the machine response which should be documented for the particular rotor speed and machine operating conditions. This information should be saved for future reference.

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H= Size |C| | Wcal |

C Wcal Location

| H| = |

H = C - Wcal

For Balancing, -O , Where -O is the correction vector. Wcor = H

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Page 8 IV. Balancing Assumptions

Machinery Diagnostics

A. Linearity: With respect to the balance weight size and phase angle. B. Repeatability: The rotor system does not change from run to run. Also, influence vectors do not change while balancing. C. Consistent Conditions: Balancing is done under the same operating conditions. This includes load, thermal conditions, shutdown vs. start-up, flow, speed, etc...

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Single Plane Balance Response

0

Page 9

270

90

180

Speed: _______________ rpm

O:

_______ mils pp ________

Wcal : _______ g _______

O+C: C:

_______ mils pp ________ H : _______ mils/g ________ _______ mils pp ________ Wcor : _______ g _______

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Page 10 Appendix I. Weight Splitting

Machinery Diagnostics

=
Desired Weight Placement Actual Weight Placement

Wcor

GRAPHICAL EXAMPLE
Wcor = 10 ozin20
10

W1
270
0

W2
5

90

Add Weight W1 at 0 and W2 at 45 W1 = 6.0 ozin0 W2 = 4.8 ozin45

180

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Single Plane Balance Response II. Weight Consolidation

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=
Actual Weight Placement Desired Weight Placement

90

Wcor W2
180
0

GRAPHICAL EXAMPLE W1
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

W1 = 1.3 ozin60
0

W2 = 2.1 ozin130 Wcor = W1 + W2 Wcor = 2.74 ozin108

270

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