BALANCING TERMINOLOGY
130 / TC 108 / WG 6 Document 89 and USAS1 WG36 DRAFT DOCUMENT
MECHANICS
Axis of Rotation (Spin Axis). The axis of rototion (spin
axis) is thot straight line about which a body rotates.
Note 1: If the bearings are anisotropic there is no
stationary axis of rotation.
Note 2: In the case of rigid bearings the axis of rotation
is the shaft axis, but if the bearings are not rigid, the axis
of rotation is not necessarily the shaft axis.
Center of Gravity (Moss Center). The center of gravity
of a body is that point in the body through which posses
the resultant of weights of its component particles for all
orientations of the body with respect to a uniform
gravitational field.
Critical Speed. The rotational speed of the rotor or rotating
element at which resonance occurs in the system.
Equilibrium Center. The point at which the shaft axis
intersects the plone perpendicular to the shah axis
(see 2, “Shaft Axis”) and through the center of gravity
of a rotor, when the rotor is at a standstill.
Principal lnertia Axis. For each set of Cortesion
co-ordinates at a given point, the values of the six
moments of inertia of a body lxixi (i. i = 1, 2, 3) are in
general unequal; for one such co-ordinate system the
moments lxixj (i # j) vanish. The values of lxixj (i = j for
this particular co-ordinate system are called the principal
moments of inertia and the corresponding co-ordinate
directions are called the principal axis of inertia.
:;;;a;;2 - Ixlxj dm, where xi, xj are Cartesian
Note 2: If the point is in the center of gravity of the
body, the axes and moments are called central principal
axes ond central principal moments of inertia.
Note 3: In balancing, the term “principal inertio axis” is
used to designate the one central principal axis (of the
three such axes) most nearly coincident with the shaft axis
of the rotor, and is sometimes referred to OS the balance
axis or the mass axis.
3. U N B A L A N C E
ROTORS
Bearing. A port which supports a journal and in which
the journal revolves..
Bearing Axis. The bearing axis is the mean straight line
joining the centroids of its cross-sectional contours.
(See Note to Journal Axis.)
Flexible Rotor. A rotor not satisfying definition “Rigid
Rotor” is a flexible rotor.
lnboord Rotor. A two-journal rotor which has its center
of gravity between the journals.
Journal. A journol is that port of o rotor that is in contact
with or supported by a beoring in which it revolves.
Journal Axis. The journal axis is the mean straight line
joining the centroids of its cross-sectional contours.
Note: The centroid of the cross-sectional contour is the
center of gravity of the cross-sectional contour.
Journal Center. The intersection of the journal axis and
the central plane of the journal.
Local Mass Eccentricity (for distributed mass rotors). For
small axial elements cut from a rotor perpendicular to
the shaft axis, the distance of the center of gravity of
each element from the shaft axis, the distance of the
center of gravity of each element from the shaft axis is
called its local mass eccentricity.
Mass Eccentricity. For a two-bearing rotor, the distance
of the center of gravity from the shaft axis (see “Center
of Gravity [Moss Center]“).
Outboard Rotor. A two-journal rotor which has its
center of gravity located other than between the journals.
Perfectly Balanced Rotor. A rotor is perfectly balanced
when its mass distribution is such that it transmits no
vibratory force or motion to its bearings as a result of
centrifugal forces.
Note: When run at different speed or when placed in
different bearings, the rotor would not necessarily
remain perfectly balanced.
Rigid Rotor. A rotor is considered rigid when it can be
corrected in ony two (orbitrorily selected) planes (see
“Correction [Balancing] Plane”) and after that
correction, its unbalance does not significantly exceed
the balancing tolerances (relative to the shaft axis) at
any speed up to maximum operating speed and when
running under conditions which approximote closely to
those of the final supporting system.
Rotor. A rotor is a rotating body whose journals are
supported by bearings.
Note 1: The term “‘rotor” is sometimes applied to, say,
a disk-like mass that has no journals (e.g. a fly-wheel).
In the sence of the definition of rotor, such a disc-like
mass becomes a rotor for the purpose of balancing only
when it is placed on a shaft with journals (see “Journal”).
Note 2: In the case of balancing, the rotor to be
balanced is sometimes referred to as a workpiece.
GENERAL: The definitions in this section apply to
unbalance in rigid rotors. They may also be applied to
flexible rotors, but because unbalance in such rotors
changes with speed, ony values of unbalance given for
those rotors must be associated with a particular speed.
Amount of Unbalance. The amount of unbalance is the
quantitative measure of unbalance in a rotor (referred
to a plane), without referring to its angular position. It is
obtained by taking the product of the unbalance mass and
the distance of its center of gravity from the shaft axis.
Note 1: Units of unbalance are, for example, oz. - in.,
g - mm, etc.
Note 2: Weight may be substituted for mass in certain
countries.
Angle of Unbalance. Given a polar coordinate system
fixed in a plane perpendicular to the shaft axis, the angle
of unbalance is that angle at which at unbalance mass is
located with reference to the given coordinate system.
Couple Unbalance. Couple unbalance is that condition
of unbalance for which the central principal axis
intersects the shaft axis ot the center of gravity.
Note 1: The quantitative measure of couple unbalance
can be given by the vector sum of the moments of the two
dynamic unbalance vectors about a certain reference
point in the plane containing the center of gravity and
the shaft axis.
Note 2: If static unbalance in a rotor is corrected in any
plne other than that containing the reference point, the
couple unbalance will be changed.
Dynamic Unbalance. Dynamic unbalance is that condition
in which the central principal axis is not coincident with
the shaft axis.
Note The quantitative measure of dynamic unbalance
can be given by two complementary unbalance vectors
in two specified planes (perpendicular to the shaft axis)
which completely represent the total unbalance of
the rotor.
Initial Unbalance. Initial unbalance is that unbalance of
any kind that exists in the rotor before balancing.
Quasi-static Unbalance. Quasi-static unbalance is that
condition of unbalance for which the central principal
axis intersects the shaft axis at a point other than the
center of gravity.
Residual (Final) Unbalance. Residual unbalance is that
unbalance of any kind that remains after balancing.
Resultant Unbalance Force. The resultant unbalance
farce is the resultont force of the system of centrifugal
forces of all mass elements of a rotor referred to any
point on the shaft axis, provided the rotor revolves
about the shaft axis.
Note: The resultant unbalance force always lies in the
plane containing the center of gravity and the shaft axis.
Resultant Unbalance Moment (Resultant Moment of
Unbalance Forces). The resultant unbalance moment is
the resultant moment of the system of centrifugal forces
of all mass elements of the rotor about a certain
reference point in the plane containing the center of
gravity and the shaft axis.
Note 1: The magnitude and the angle of the plane of
the resultant moment depend in general on the position
of the reference point.
Note 2: There exists a certain position of the reference
paint in which the magnitude of the resultant moment
reaches its minimum (central axis of unbolonce).
Note 3: The resuhant moment is independent of the
position of the reference point in the case where the
resultant unbalance force is zero.
Specific Unbalance. Specific unbalance is the amount of
static unbalance (U) divided by the mass of the rotor (M)
and is equivalent to the displacement of the center of
gravity of the rotor from the shaft axis.
Static Unbalance. Static unbalance is that condition
of unbalance for which the central principal axis is
displaced only parallel to the shaft axis.
Note: The quantitative measure of static unbalance
can be given by the resultant of the two dynamic
unbalance vectors
Unbalance. That condition which exists in o rotor when
vibratory force or motion is imparted to its bearings as a
result of centrifugal forces. (See General.)
Note 1: The term “unbalance” is sometimes used as o
synonym for “amount of unbalance,” or “unbalance
vector.”
Note 2: Unbalance will in general be distributed
throughout the rotor but can be reduced to:
a. static unbalance and couple unbalance described by
three unbalance vectors in three specified planes, or
b. dynamic unbalance is described by two unbalance
vectors in two specified planes.
Unbalance Couple. For the case where the resultant
unbalance force is zero, the unbalance couple is the
resultant couple of the system of centrifugal forces
of all mass elements of the rotor.
Unbalance Force. The unbalance force in a rotor
referred to a correction plane is the centrifugal force
(referred to the shaft axis) due to the unbalance
in that plane.
Unbalance Mass. An unbalance mass is that mass
considered to be located at a particular radius such that
the product of the unbalance mass and its centripetol
acceleration is equal to the unbalance force.
Note: The centripetal acceleration is the product of the
distance from the shaft axis of the unbalance mass and
the square of the angular velocity of the rotor in
radians per second.
Unbalance Moment. The unbalance moment is the
moment of a centrifugal force of a mass element of a
rotor about a certain reference point in the plane
containing the center of gravity and the shaft axis.
Unbalance Vector. An unbalance vector is a vector
whose magnitude is the amount of unbalance and
whose direction is the angle of unbalance.
4. BALANCING
Acceptability Limit. That value of an unbalance
paramter that is specified as the maximum below which
the state of unbalance of a rotor is considered acceptable.
Balancing. A procedure by which the mass distribution
of a rotor is checked and, if necessary, adjusted in order
to ensure that the vibration of the journals and/or
forces on the bearings at a frequency corresponding to
operational speed are within specified limits.
Correction (Balancing) Plane. A plane perpendicular to
the shaft axis of a rotor in which correction for
unbalance is made.
Measuring Plane. A plone perpendicular to the shaft
axis in which the amount and angle of unbalance are
determined.
Method of Correction. A procedure whereby the mass
distribution of a rotor is adjusted to reduce unbalance,
or vibration due to unbalance, to an acceptable value.
Corrections are usually made by adding material to, or
removing it from, the rotor.
Multi-Plane Balancing. Multi-plane balancing as applied
to the balancing of flexible rotors refers to any balancing
procedure that requires unbalance correction in more
than two axially. separated correction planes.
Reference Plane. Any plane perpendicular to the shaft
axis to which an amount of unbalance is referred.
Single Plane (Static) Balancing. Single plane balancing
is a procedure by which the mass distribution of a rigid
rotor is adjusted in order to ensure that the residual
static unbalance is within specified limits and which
requires correction in only one plane.
Note: Single-plone balancing can be done on a pair of
knife edges without rotation of the rotor but is now more
usually done on centrifugal balancing machines.
Two-Plane (Dynamic) Balancing. Two-plane balancing is
a procedure by which the mass distribution of a rigid
rotor is adiusted in order to ensure that the residual
unbalance in two arbitrary planes is within specified
limits referred to those planes.
2
’ Unbalance Tolerance. The unbalance tolerance with
respect to a radial plane (measuring plane or correction
plane) is that amount of unbalance which is specified as
the maximum below which the state of unbalance is
considered acceptable.
5. BALANCING MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT
Angle Dotum Marks. Marks placed on a rotor to denote
on angle reference system fixed in the rotor; they may
be optional, magnetic, mechanical, or radioactive.
Angle Indicator. The device used to indicate the angle
of unbalance.
Angle Reference Generotor. In balancing, a device used
to generate a signal which specifies the angular position
of the rotor.
Balancing Machine. A balancing machine is a machine
that provides a measure of the unbalance in a rotor which
can be used for adjusting the mass distribution of that rotor
mounted on it so that once per revolution vibratory motion
of the journals or force on the bearings can be reduced
if necessary.
Balancing Machine Accuracy. Is given by the limits
within which the amount and angle of unbalance can be
measured under specified conditions.
Balancing Machine Minimum Response. The measure of
the machine’s ability to sense and indicate a minimum
amount of unbalance under specified conditions.
Balancing Machine Sensitivity. Of a balancing machine
under specified conditions is the increment in unbalance
indication expressed as indicator movement or digital
reading per unit increment in the amount of unbalance.
Calibration. Calibration of a balancing machine is the
process of adjusting a machine so that the unbalance
indicator(s) reads in terms of selected corrections units
in specified correction plones for a given rotor ond other
essentially identical rotors and may include adjustment .
for angular location if required.
Calibration Rotor. A calibration rotor is a rotor (usually
the first of a series) used for the calibration of a
balancing machine.
Centrifugal (Rotational) Balancing Machine. A machine
that provides for the support ond rotation of a rotor and
for the measurement of once per revolution vibratory
forces or motions due to unbalance in the rotor.
Compensating (Null Force) Balancing Machine. A
compensating (Null Force) balancing machine is a
machine with a bulit in colibroted force system which
counteracts the unbalance forces in the rotor.
Compensator. A facility buih into a balancing machine
which enables the initial unbalance of the rotor to be
nulled out, usually electrically, so speeding up the
process of plane setting and calibration.
Component Measuring Device. A device for measuring
and displaying the amount and angle of unbalance in
terms of selected components of the unbalanced vector.
Correction Plane Interference (Cross-Effect). The change
of balancing machine indication ot one correction plane
of a given rotor, which is observed for a certain change
of unbalance in the other correction plane.
Correction Plane Interference Ratios. The interference
ratios (IAB, IBA) of two correction planes A and B of a
given rotor are defined by the relotionships:
IAB - UAB
UBB
3
Where UAB and UBB are unbalance indications referring
to plones A and B respectively, caused by the addition
of a specified amount of unbalance in plane B:
IBA = UBA
cix
Where UBA and UAA are the unbalance indications
referring to plones B and A respectively, caused by the
addition of a specified amount of unbalance in plone A.
Note 1: The correction plane interference ratio for a
balancing machine on which the plane separation has
been carefully adjusted, should be a minimum.
Note 2: The ratio is usually given in percent.
Counter Weight. A weight added to a body so as to
reduce a calculated unbalancea at a desired place.
Note: Such weights may be used to bring on assymetric
body to a state of balance or to reduce bending
moments within a body, e.g. crankshafts.
Direct Reading Balancing Machine. A machine which
indicates the unbalance directly.
Dynamic (Two-Plane) Balancing Machine. A dynamic
balancing machine is a centrifugal balancing machine
that furnishes information for performing two-plane
balancing.
Note: Dynamic balancing machines are sometimes used
to accomplish single-plane balancing.
Field Balancing Equipment. An assembly of measuring
instruments for providing informotion for performing
balancing opcrotions on assembled machinery which is
not mounted in a balancing machine.
Gravitational (Non-Rotating) Balancing Machine. A
machine that provides for the support of o rigid rotor
under non-rotating conditions and provides information
of the amount ond angle of the static unbalance.
Hard Beoring (Below Resonance) Boloncing Machine. A
machine having on operating speed below the natural
frequency of the suspension-and-rotor system.
Mondrel (Balancing Arbor). An accurately machined
shaft on which work is mounted for balancing.
Mechanical Adjustment. Mechonicol adjustment of a
balancing machine is the operation of preparing the
machine mechanically to balance a rotor.
Nodol Bar. A rigid bar coupled through bearings to a
flexibly supported rigid rotor whose motion is essentially
parallel to that of the shaft axis.
Note 1: Its function is to provide correction plane
reparation by locating the motion transducers at centers
of rotation corresponding to centers of percussion
located in correction. planes.
Note 2: A motion transducer so located has minimum
correction plane interferance rotio.
Porositic Mass. The porositic mass of a balancing
machine is any mass, other than that of the rotor being
balanced, that must be moved by the unbalance force(s)
developed in the rotor.
Permonent Calibration. Permanent calibration is that
feature of a hard-bearing balancirig machine which
provides calibration for any rotor within the capacity
and speed range of the machinc by setting the machine.
Plane Separation. Of a balancing machine, is the Soft Bearing (Above Resonance) Balancing Machine.
operation of reducing the correction plane interference A machine having on operating speed above the
ratio for a particular rotor. natural frequency of the suspension-and-rotor system.

Plane Separation (Nodal) Network. An electrical circuit Swing Diameter. The maximum workpiece diameter that
interposed between the motion transducers and the can be accommodated by a balancing machine.
unbalance indicators that perform the plane-separation
function electrically without requiring particular locations Unbalance Indicator. An unbalance indicator on a
for the motion transducers. balancing machine is the dial, gauge or meter with
which a measured amount of unbalance or the effect of
Practical Correction Unit. A unit corresponding to a unit this unbalance is indicated.
value of the amount of unbalance indicated on a
balancing machine. far convenience, it is associated Unbalance Reduction Ratio. Unbalance reduction rotio
with a specific radius and correction plane and is is the ratio of reduced unbalance by single balancing
commonly expressed as units of on arbitrarily chosen correction to the initial unbalance.
quantity such as drill depths of given diameter, weight,
lengths of wire solder, plugs, wedges, etc.
U.R.R. = -UI - u2- = I - l-3
UI UI
Proving (Test) Rotor. A proving rotor is a rigid rotor
where U l Amount of initial unbalance.
of suitable moss designed for testing balancing machiner
and balanced sufficientiy to permit the introduction of where U R Amount of remaining
unbalance after one
exact unbalance by means of additional masses with
balancing correction.
high reproducibility of magnitude and angular position.

Note 1: Unbalance reduction ratio is a measure of

Resonance Balancing Machine. A machine having an
overall efficiency of unbolonce correctton, and this value
operating speed at the natural frequency of the
should be a maximum for careful procedure.
suspension-and-rotor system.

Note 2: The ratio is usually given in percent.

Setting. Setting a balancing machine is the operation of
entering into the machine information concerning the
Vector Measuring Device. A device for meosuring and
location of the correction planes, the location of the
displaying the omount and angle in terms of an
bearings, the radii of correction, and the speed if applicable.
unbalance vector, usually by means of o point or line.
Single-Plane (Static) Raloncing Machine. A single plane
balancing machine is a gravitational or centrifugal
balancing machine that provides informotion for
accomplishing single plane balancing.

1908