Chapter 6 Balancing of Rotating Masses

All rotors have some eccentricity. Eccentricity is present when geometrical center of the rotor and the
mass center do not coincide along their length (Figure 1). Examples of rotors are turbines, generator,
compressor or an electric motor. Due to eccentricity, load on bearing will increase. Causes excessive
wear and tear, vibration (which causes fatigue failure and faulty operation i.e. in machining or in
printing machine). Our aim is to reduce bearing load (unbalanced force). This is achieved by proper
balancing of rotating parts.

Figure 1 Geometrical center and center of gravity

Unbalance in one plane: Such unbalance occurs in gear wheels, grinding wheels, single stage
compressor, etc. Unbalance comes from material inhomogeneousity, limitations of manufacturing
process, mounting and limitation errors etc. The unbalance in the disc is defined as (Figure 2)

U = me

( U kg-m)

(1)

y
G
O

Figure 2 Unbalance in a single plane

m
x

where m is mass of disc (kg), e is the eccentricity (m). The unbalance force is given as
F = m 2 e

(2)

where is the angular velocity, rad/sec. If we want to know correction mass mc at a radius of r, it
will be given by
mc =

e/ r
m

(3)

for r ; we have mc = 0 and it should be placed 1800 away from unbalance mass m. Such a

correction is called balancing of disc, which will eliminate the inertia forces transmitted to the
foundation (or bearing).

Static Balancing: In the actual practice location of point G is unknown. The radial direction we can
obtain by keeping the rotor on frictionless (knife edge) support and we will allow rotor to rotate
freely. Rotor will become stationary with heavy spot (G) vertically downwards. Now we will place a
correction mass in at 1800 to the heavy spot (i.e. at light spot) and again allow rotor to rotate. (i) if
heavy spot is again coming vertically downwards means correction mass m to be increased. (ii) if
heavy spot comes vertically upward position, means correction mass is more, and it has to be
decreased. (iii) if heavy spot is resting at some other position, means rotor is nearly balanced. This can
be confirmed by rotating rotor again and finding whether it rests at some indifferent equilibrium
position. Such a process is called static balancing of rotor (disc) and it is valid for a rotor with only
one disc or balancing is required in single plane only. For single plane static balancing rotor will be
dynamically also balanced.

Unbalance in several Planes: For multi-plane (Figure 3) we have to do dynamic tests by rotating the
rotor at moderate speed, that is why some times we call it dynamic balancing.

y
mi
ei Gi

z
x

Plane R
Plane(i)
Plane L
Unbalance in ith plane

Distributed Unbalance

Figure 3 Unbalance in several planes

109

Or
2
3

May be

z
y

For n planes
(Center of
gravity of n
different planes)
(both unbalance
force and
unbalance
moment present)

Statically
balanced (no
unbalance force
but it can
produce
unbalance
moment. (This
can be
balanced by
dynamic tests)

Statically
unbalanced
(both
unbalance
force k
moment are
present)

F3

F1

x
F2

..

Fn

Figure 4 Unbalance vectors in several planes

U1

Ui

U1

Ui

Un

Un

U2

U2
Unbalance in multi-plane
Figure 5 Unbalance in multi-planes.

(i) All forces are || (parallel) and lie in a single plane (transverse). Correction mass would be in same
axial plane and single correction mass will be sufficient for the force as well as for the moment
unbalance.
m2

mC

m2

m1
m3

m1
mG

m3

Figure 6 All the unbalance are in a single transverse plane

110

(ii) When two identical unbalance are in phase with 1800 then they will form a couple (Figure 7).
They are balance in the force but the couple is not balanced. To balance a couple, two || forces should
act in opposite direction. So at least two planes are required to balance the couple. If several
unbalance is there in one plane (Figure 8), we can find out the correcting mass and its angular position
either by the analytical method i.e.
n

U x = mi ai cos i

(4)

i =1

and
n

U y = mi ai sin i

(5)

i =1

So that unbalance U = U x2 + U y2

(6)

Angular position = tan 1 (U y / U x )

(7)

So correction mass would be equal to U and angular position would be + or + (graphical

method can also be used).

m
U1
Ui

r
r

U2
Un

U1

Ui
i

U2

Un

Figure 8 Several unbalance in one plane

Figure 7 A couple unbalance

If unbalance masses are there in different planes (also in different orientation) as shown in Figure 9:
The effect of all these unbalance masses can be resolved in any two planes perpendicular to the axis of
rotation.

111

Ui

1 L

Li

U1

Ui

Un

U2

U2

Un

Two arbitrary
planes L & M
Figure 9 Unbalances in the different orientations and planes
The ith unbalance force can be resolved into a force (of magnitude and direction same as Ui ) in
plane L and moment (of magnitude equal to Ui Li) in a plane containing force Ui and the axis of
rotation.

Figure 10 Component of a force in an unbalance plane into two balancing planes.

Then we have to split the moment Mi into two forces at planes L and R (i.e. Fi = M i / d ). The net
effect of ith unbalance on planes L and M would be: Fi L = Fi Fi & Fi R = Fi (as shown in Figure 10-

V). Similarly we have to obtain effect of all other unbalances taking one at a time.

112

Figure 11 Effect of all unbalances on the two balancing planes.

Resultant of all these effects on plane L and M can be obtained. In order to balance the system we
have to place correction masses or balances of magnitude FL / 2 and FR / 2 respectively, in
plane L & M and at angular position FL and FR (i.e. 1800 in phase with FL & FR ).

Example 1: Obtain the correction mass required for an unbalanced system as shown in Figure A.

Y
1kg
17.5cm 10cm
3kg
5cm

U2
U1

=25.7

4kg

U =19 kg.cm
Figure A

U3

Figure B

Figure B shows the graphical method of solution and Table 1 gives the tabular method of solution.
Table 1 Tabular calculation for a single plane balancing:
mi

ei

cos i

mi ei cos i

sin i

mi ei sin i

Unbalance

(kg)

(cm)

(degree)

10

1.0

30

0.0

0.0

17.5

135

-0.707

-12.375

0.707

12.375

-90

0.0

0.0

-1.00

-20.0

= 17.625

Total

113

= 7.625

The unbalance magnitude, U, and phase, , is given as

U=

( mi ei cosi )

+ ( mi ei sin i ) =

(17.625)

+ ( 7.625 )

= 19.2 kg-cm

= tan 1 ( mi ei sin i ) / ( mi ei cos i ) = tan 1 {( 7.625 ) / (17.625 )} = 25.7 0

Summary of the equilibrium equations:
For equilibrium:

System of parallel forces

F4 = 0 ; M A = 0

y
B

A
F3

MA = 0; MB

or

For equilibrium:

Figure 12 System of parallel forces

System of forces in parallel plane
y
Fy

Fy

Fy

R
Fz
3

F
z1

Fy

= 0;

Fz

M Ly

= 0;

M Lz

=0
=0

or

Fx
4

Fz
2

=0

Fz
4

M L4 = 0

M L3

=0

M Ry

M Rz

=0

=0

Figure 13 System of forces in parallel planes

Example 2: For a multi plane unbalances as shown in Figure C and given below, obtain the balancing
required.

m1 = 6 kg,

e1 = 4 cm,

1 = 300,

L1 = 15 cm,

R1 = 10 cm,

m2 = 12 kg,

e2 = 4 cm,

2 = 1500,

L2 = 35 cm,

R2 = -10 cm,

e3 = 5 cm,

3 = 300 ,

L3 = 5 cm,

R3 = 20

m3 = 6 kg,

To determine balance masses at a radius of 5 cm in planes L & R.

114

d = 25 cm

m2

d = 25
L 2 = 35

m1

L =15
1

1
R 1 =10

L3= 5

R2
= 10

m3

m3

R = 20
3

Figure C Multi-plane unbalances

Numerical method: For dynamic balance the sum of forces and moments about any plane should be
zero:

(ii) Moment about L

mi ei cos i = 0
(mi ei cos i )Li = 0

Or (iii) Moment about R

(mi ei cos i )Ri

(i) Forces

mi ei sin i = 0
(mi ei sin i )Li = 0

(mi ei sin i )Ri

=0

=0

We can use one force and one moment equations or two moment equations. For the present example
we will use two moment equations.

Table A Tabular calculation for the moment about the plane L

( ) | ( +)
Plane
1
2
3

m
6
12
6

e
4
4
5

meL cos

meL sin

30

311.7

180

15

-1455

840

75

-129.9

L
15
35
5

300

1068.3
R

25

which gives

tan R = ( 890.1) /1068

1068.3

mR

Hence, ( mR eR ) LR cos R = 1068.3

890.1

mR eR LR sin R = 890.1

and

i..e.

115

R = 39.80

-890.1

we have, L R (mr er ) =

(890.1)2 + (1068.3)2

for

LR = 25

mr er = 55.62 kg-cm

Table B Tabular calculation for the moment about the plane R

( +) | ( )
Plane

10

300

12

mL = ?

20

m L e L cos L = 923.5 ,
Similarly,

-10

meR sin

207.8

120

150

415.7

-240

300

300

-519.6

923.5

639.6

-923.5

639.6

L = ?

25

meR cos

m L e L R L sin L = 639.6

L = tan 1 {639.6 /(923.5)} = 145.30

and

m L a e = 44.93

Final results are: 55.62 39.80 for the left plane and 44.93145.30 for the right plane.
Graphical Method: Two moment equation can be solved graphically by using table C & D.

Table C: Moments about plane L

Plane

meL
0

15

30

12

35

1500

300

300

150
1680

= 320
R
(meL)R in plane R
m R = 1400 / e R LR

130

1400
360

= 1400 / 5 25 = 11.2

30

Figure D Graphical solution of the moment about plane L

116

360
1680
150

Moment vector diagram: (actual direction can be obtained by RH screw rule, we will get similar
polygon with rotated by 900).
mR R = 11.23200

Table D: Moments about plane R

Plane

10

300

meR

240

-480
600

12

-10

150

10

3000

1500
240

300
480

3000

(meR )L

600

145 0 = L

m L = 1120 / 5 25 = 11.22 < 145 = m L < L

0

Figure E Graphical solution of the moment about plane R

Example 3: Obtain the balancing of a four-cylinder engine for primary forces & couples as shown in
Figure F. mr2 = mr3 = 4448 / 9.81 = 453.41 kg. Crank 2 and 3 are at 900 phase. Find the angular
position of 1 and 4 crank, and m r1 = ? ,

(L)
1

1 & 2 = ?

mr4 = ?

(R)
4
2
4

90

3
Reference axis

0.61m
2.44m
Figure F: A multi-cylinder engine

117

Our problem is reduced to finding balancing masses in plane 1 and 4, when there is a unbalance
(revolving mass type) in plane 2 and 3.

By two moment equation:

(mrec. .r cos )Li = 0

(mrec. .r cos )Ri = 0

(mrec. .r sin )Li = 0

(mrec. .r sin )Ri = 0

and
and

Tabale E: Tabular calculation for moments about Plane L (1)

Plane

mrL cos

mrL sin

453.41

0.305

0.915

900

126.5354

453.41

0.305

1.525

210.8923

210.8923

126.5354

-210.8923

-126.5354

m4 r4 L4 cos 4

m4 r4 L4 sin 4

R(4)

0.305

2.44

Hence, tan 4 = 126.5354 / 210.8923 ; 4 = 30.96 0 + 180 0 = 210.96 0

and m4 =

(i)

210.89 2 + 126.53 2 / r4 L4 = 330.6 kg

(Ans)

If we choose phase between cranks is equal to 900.

Primary force will be zero for all values of

when

mr cos = 0

mr sin = 0 .

If

m1r1 = m2 r2 = m3 r3 = m4 r4 then above both equation can be satisfied for equal phase of crank i.e.
900.
If m1r1 m2 r2 m... then phase angle should be other than 900.

(ii)

For i = 90 0 and mi ri = constant, C p 0 so, F p = 0 . However, we want both to be

balanced simultaneously.

(iii)

So we have to use i other than 900 for two remaining crank for FP = 0 and C p = 0 ,
simultaneously.

118

Table F: Moment about Plane R(4):

Plane

mrR cos

mrR sin

453.41

0.305

1.525

210.8923

453.41

0.305

0.915

900

126.5354

126.5354

210.89

-126.5354

-210.89

L(1)

0.305

2.44

m1r1 R1 cos 1

m1r1 R1 sin 1

Hence, tan 1 = 210.89 / 126.53 1 = 59.04 0 + 180 0 = 239.04 0 .

And m1r1 R1 = 126.53 2 + 210.89 2 ; R1 = 330.6 kg

2
3
4

o
31
31o

1
Figure G: Balancing masses and its positions

Example 4: Four-cylinder engine, crank arranged at 900. Given r = 457.2 m, = 90 rpm = 9.425
rad/s., m rec = 8006.4 N per cylinder. Order of cranks to be arranged for the best balance of
reciprocating masses.
1

2
a

3
a

4
a4

1.22 m
3.05 m

2
Common shaft

Plane of symmetry

Figure H: A four-cylinder engine

119

Solution: Cp = ?

Fp = ?

The cranks are arranged such that the distribution firing order of cylinders should be symmetrically
take place, with respect to the plane of symmetry of cylinder. For primary force acting on each
cylinder plane:

F p = mrev . 2 r [cos + cos( + 90 ) + cos( + 180 ) + cos( + 270 )]

= mrev 2 r [cos sin cos + sin ] = 0

Primary force is balanced.
It is acting along the line of action either towards or away from the bearing.
Primary couple: a1 = 0.915 = a 4 ; a 2 = 0.61 = a3 with + ve for CCW.

C p = mrev . 2 r a1 cos + a 2 cos + 180 0 a3 cos + 270 0 a 4 cos + 90 0

)]

= (8006.4 / 9.81) (9.425)2 0.4572[0.915 cos + 0.61( cos ) 0.61 sin 0.915 ( sin )]
= (325166.82 / 9.81)[0.305 cos 0.305 sin ]

(C p )max when C

= 0 0.305 [ sin ] 0.305cos = 0

C pmax = 14.30 kN-M and tan = 1 so that = 450 or 1350 .

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120