Rotating

Machinery
MODULE 10 Master
10.7 Unbalance

Author: Rubén Ramírez

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 10.7.- Unbalance

AIM

Chapter oriented to show the methods of balancing. Real examples of

balancing on field will be presented in this chapter. Practical considerations
and results will be showed.

SCOPE

Vector method with trial mass. Balancing equipment. Single plane. Two
planes. Balancing machine.

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 Definition (I)
Definition: Mass unbalance occurs when there is no coincidence between the
geometric center (shaft centerline) and the mass center of a rotor. An unbalance
force (periodic) is applied to the machine as a consequence of the uneven mass
distribution around the shaft axis of rotation.
F
CAUSAS:
Unsymmetrical design.
Defects in the material.
Corrosion and/or erosion.
Deposit buildup.
Thermal unbalance.

F: Centrifugal Unbalance Force

YES
NO

Correction
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 Definition (II)
𝑭 = 𝒎 · 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒎 · 𝝎𝟐 · 𝒆
𝟒𝝅𝟐
= · 𝒎 · 𝒆 · 𝑵𝟐
𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎
e = eccentricity
m: mass
N = Turning Speed (RPM)

Placing in the opposite side a mass that

1 produces the same effect in the
opposite direction.

2 Taking the Unbalance Mass out.

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 Definition (III)
BEFORE BALANCING YOU MUST ASSURE THE DIAGNOSTIC
AND THAT VIBRATIONS CAUSE IS THE UNBALANCE.

 To check the vibration amplitude and to evaluate according to ISO 10816.

 Appear harmonic 1x in the spectrum? Is the component highest in the spectrum?
 Radial direction has the amplitude highest than axial direction.
 Phase between H and V is 90º.

Example:
 Nominal speed 999 RPM.
 Harmonic 1x is the component highest in
Horizontal
the spectrum, in horizontal direction. direction

 Other harmonics appear in the spectrum.

 However 1x is the component highest.

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 Balancing equipment (I)
Transducers for measuring the vibration amplitude.

Transducers for measuring the phase.

Tachometers

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 Balancing equipment (II)

Data collector. The trial masses and weighing scale.

Vector Diagram for Manual Calculation.

Polar Graph Paper.
Rule with tenths scale, square and triangle.
Protractor.
Calculator and/or program for performing the calculations.

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 Single plane balancing Procedure (I)
LIST CHECK. PREBALANCING SHEDULES.
 A complete vibration analysis for assuring the diagnosis. Determine whether or not.
 The rotor does not presents visible failures such as cracks.
 The bolts and screws are properly tightened.
 The rotor must be cleaned.
 The measuring direction will be that which produces the maximum vibration amplitude.
 The vibration levels are stable or should be stable before starting the unbalancing
correction.
 The amplitude and phase measures shall be made at the frequency that corresponds to
the machine speed of rotation.
 The machine operating conditions (speed, load, temperature, etc.) shall remain constant
during the balancing process.
 If it is possible, to determine critical speeds (start-up/coast-down tests).
 To assure that there is not any background vibration with a frequency close to that of the
unbalance.

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 Single plane balancing Procedure (II)

Amplitude and Phase Measurements a0

V

a0 t

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 Single plane balancing Procedure (III)
Step 1
Run the machine at the balancing speed and measure vibration amplitude and phase with respect
to a reference transducer.

𝑽𝟎 ; α0

Vector that represents the vibration (amplitude and phase) produced by the force Fo
𝑽𝟎
created by the mass unbalance Mx.

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 Single plane balancing Procedure (IV)
Step 2.1.
 To place at any rotor location a known trial mass Mp, as it is shown the bellow figure.
 The rule of thumb for selecting a trial mass is that it should create a force of no more than
10% of the rotor weight. WRotor
Fc ≤
10

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 Single plane balancing Procedure (V)
Step 2.2
After the trial mass Mp has been installed, to run the machine to the balancing speed.

𝑽𝟏 ; α1

Vector that yields from the effect

𝑽𝟏 produced by the combination of the
force F0 that corresponds to the
initial unbalance and the force Fp
known as a consequence of the trial
mass installation Mp.

 
P  V1  V 0 Vector that yields from the vibration produced solely by the trial mass Mp.

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 Single plane balancing Procedure (VI)
Step 3
Unbalance Mass Calculation: Using the data from the previous steps, it is possible to set out the
following equation:

MX MP Unbalance Mass value V0
    MD  MPx   
V0 V1  V0 V1  V0

Step 4
In order to rotate the position of MD an angle β
with respect to the trial mass position, MP is taken
out and MD is installed.

With this new mass in place, a new residual

unbalance measurement is performed.

𝑽´𝟏 ; α´1

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 Two planes balancing (I)
 There are two unbalanced forces at different machine planes.
 The axis of rotation and the inertial axis cross each other in the same plane.
 General rule, length/diameter of rotor for machines above 500 RPM:
ROTOR L/D RATIO

HIGHER THAN
0,5

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 Two planes balancing (II)
 The balancing procedure for two planes is very similar to the procedure for single plane.
 In the most cases this procedure is carried out with software. Vibration analyzer have
built-in software and tools to balance in two planes.
 Required instrumentation: vibration sensor, tachometer….

Two planes balancing

Procedure
1.-Initial measurements in two planes.
2.-Install trial weight in plane 1 and measure
Amplitude and Phase.
3.-Remove trial weight in plane 1. Install trial
weight in plane 2 and measure Amplitude
and Phase.
4.-Remove trial weight in plane 2. Calculate
the correction weights and install.

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 Balancing machine (I)
When the balancing action can not be carried out on-site, the rotor must be extracted and
balanced in a specific machine.
A balancing machine is a measuring tool used for balancing rotating machine parts such as
rotors for electric motors, fans, turbines, disc brakes, disc drives and pumps. The machine
usually consists of two rigid pedestals, with suspension and bearings on top supporting a
mounting platform. The unit under test is bolted to the platform and is rotated either with a
belt-, air-, or end-drive. As the part is rotated, the vibration in the suspension is detected with
sensors and that information is used to determine the amount of unbalance in the part.
Along with phase information, the machine can determine how much and where to add or
remove weights to balance the part.

The balancing method is similar to the studied previously. The same steps must be carried
out in order to get an acceptable residual unbalance. The balancing carried out as many times
as necessary until the residual unbalance is according to ISO 1940.

YES
NO

Correction
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 Balancing machine (II)

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 Balancing machine (III)
Control
console
Transmission
Bearing
Bearing

Pulleys
Transmission

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