School of Mechanical Engineering

Laboratory Manual
ENME3TM Theory of Machines
Experiment on Static and Dynamic Balancing of Rotors
This experiment has been designed to allow the student to check experimentally the method of calculating the locations and
magnitudes of balancing masses in a rotating mass system. The student is required to study recommended literature on the
subject before attending the practical. He will be expected to submit a report containing a short dissertation on the theory
and applications of balancing together with calculations and results of the experiment.
1.

Fundamental Theory
If an unbalanced mass is mounted on a shaft and caused to rotate, as shown in Fig 1, undesired forced vibrations
appears. The equation of motion of the system is:
(1)

where:
m
m

- the total mass of the system,

- the unbalanced mass
- the angular velocity of the shaft
- the spring constant

The amplitude of the vibration is given by:

(2)

Figure 1: Unbalanced Rotating Mass

where:

As it is seen from Figure 2, if conditions are near resonance ( = p), the amplitude may become large to cause failure
of the shaft, the bearings, or the support. The vibration can be minimized by balancing the system in such a manner
that the resultant of the inertia forces of the mass me and the counterbalance is zero. In a general case, balance of
moments of inertia forces is also required.

Figure 2: Amplitude versus Frequency Ratio

1.1

Dynamic Balance
Dynamic balance is a balance of forces due to the action of inertia forces. Figure 3 shows a rigid motor consisting
of two masses rotating in a common transverse plane about the axis O. A third mass is to be added to the system
so that the sum of inertia forces is zero and balance is achieved. For constant angular velocity of the shaft , the
inertia force of any given mass mi is
For balance, the vector sum of the inertia forces of the system is zero:

(3)
or

(4)
As shown in Figure 3, the m3r3 value of the third mass can be determined by drawing the vector polygon. The
balancing vector mi is equal, opposite and collinear with the resultant
as shown. The unbalance can also be
determined analytically by summing x- and y- components around the vector loop. Any number of masses
rotating in a common radial plane may be balanced with a single mass.

Figure 3: Masses Rotating in a Common Transverse Plane

For the case in which the rotating masses lie in a common axial plane, but in different transverse planes, as shown in Figure
4, the inertia forces are parallel vectors. Balance of inertia forces is achieved in this case as in the previous case by
satisfying equation 3. However, balance of the moments of inertia forces is also required. In the previous case, moment
equilibrium is inherent since the inertia force vectors are concurrent. Thus, the sum of moments of the inertia forces about
an arbitrarily chosen point A must be zero:

Figure 4: Masses Rotating in a Common Axial Plane

(5)
or

(6)
For the case considered, the last equation can be rewritten in the following form:

(7)

If upward miri values and counterclockwise aimiri are taken as positive, the following set of equations can be used
to obtain unknown values m3r3 and a3:

Figure 5: Masses Rotating in Various Transverse and Axial Planes

m1r1 - m2r2 + m3r3 = 0

a1m1r1 - a2m2r2 + a3m3r3

(8)
= 0

(9)

The most general case of distribution of rotating masses on a rigid rotor is that in which the masses lie in various
transverse and axial planes as in Figure 5. Equations 3 and 5 must be satisfied for balance of inertia forces and
their moments. The transverse plane A-A is arbitrarily chosen about which moments of the inertia forces are
evaluated. The moments of the various individual forces are in different axial planes. In the general case, the
resultant, unbalanced, moment is in a different axial plane from the moment of the resultant of inertia forces.
Thereafore, a single balancing mass does not satisfy both equations 3 and 5. The resultant is obtained from a
vector polygon as shown in Fig 5a. Plane B-B has been chosen as a transverse plane in which a balancing mass
m3 is to be placed to achieve a balance of moments. A vector polygon of moments is drawn as in Figure 5b. The
vectors as shown in the same direction and sense as the inertia forces. A true moment polygon would be obtained
by rotating the polygon 90o counterclockwise since a moment vector is equal i x . The known vectors of the
magnitudes M1 = a1m1r1 and M2 = a2m2r2 are laid of first, and the closing side M3 = a3m3r3 determines the required
moment for balance. The direction of this side shows also the axial plane in which the balancing mass m3 is to be
placed. The magnitude of the force vector m3 is calculated as equal to
and laid off on the force polygon. For
balance of forces, a second balancing mass is required to close the force polygon as indicated by m 4 By placing
m4 in plane A-A such that it has zero moment about A, the moment vector polygon is unchanged. Any number of
masses may be balanced by a minimum of two masses placed in any two arbitrarily selected transverse planes
such as A-A and B-B.
The problem of Figure 5 can be solved analytically.
respectively, the following formulas are obtained:

Writing equations of moments about x- and y-axis

(10)

(11)
The unknown values of m3r3 and
can be calculated from the above to achieve balance of moments. The
parameters m4r4 and
of the second mass to be placed in plane A-A can be determined from the equations of
forces:

(12)

(13)
1.2

Static Balance

Figure 6: Static Balance

Static balance is a balance of forces due to the action of gravity. Figure 6 shows a shaft-mass system resting on hard rigid
rails. The system will not roll if it is in static balance regardless of the angular position of the shaft. The requirement for
static balance is that the center of gravity of the system be at axis O of rotation. This requirement yields exactly the same
formulas which have already been expressed in the form of equations 12 and 13. Thus, if the conditions for dynamic
balance are met, the conditions for static balance are also met. However, it is not true that if a rotor is statically balanced, it
is also dynamically balanced. Static balance fails to indicate moment balance required for a dynamic case. A static balance
is a reliable test of dynamic balance only in the case of Figure 3, where all masses lie in a common transverse plane.

2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS

The apparatus is TECHQUIPMENT static and dynamic balancing machine. It consists of a perfectly balanced
parallel steel shaft mounted in ball bearings, in a stiff rectangular main frame. A set of four blocks of different
weights are provided and may be clamped in any position on the shaft.
A disc carrying a circular protractor scale is fitted to one end of the shaft and the rim of the disc is grooved to take
a light cord and container arrangement. This latter consists of two cylindrical metal containers of exactly the same
weight.
A scale is fitted to the lower member of the main frame and, when used in conjunction with the circular protractor
scale, allows the exact longitudinal and angular position of each block to be determined.
A small pulley is fitted on the front end of the shaft and a 230 volts single phase 50 cycles electric motor mounted
under the main frame drives the shaft through a rubber belt.
For static balancing of individual weights the main frame is rigidly attached to the support frame by two knurled
screws and in this position the motor driving belt is removed.
For dynamic balancing of the rotating mass system the main frame is suspended from the support frame by three
short chains and in this position the main frame and the support frame are in the same plane.

3.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
The shaft together with weights form a system as shown in Figure 5. It is assumed that the angular position 3, 4
and planes of rotation of two of the blocks are given. It is suggested that the two blocks are clamped at the ends of
the shaft and 4 = 90o and 3 = 20o.
In order to determine angular positions and planes of rotation of the other two weights a polygon of inertia forces
can be drawn and equations of moments can be applied.
First, the values miri will be determined applying the following procedure:
(1) fix the main frame of the apparatus at right angles to the support frame
(2) remove the motor driving belt to allow the shaft to revolve freely;
(3) clamp each individual block in turn on the shaft and, with the cord and container system suspended over the
protractor disc, place a number of steel balls, which are all of equal weight, into one of the containers to
exactly balance the block on the shaft; the block will be stationary in a horizontal position when balanced by
the correct number of steel balls.
(4) the value of miri for each block is determined in terms of the number of steel balls Ni.
After the above procedure is completed, using equation 3, for assumed values 3 and 4, a polygon of forces can be
drawn. In that way the angular position 1 and 2 are determined.
The longitudinal positions a1 and a2 can be found writing equations of moments in the form of 10 and 11.
On completion of the calculations all the blocks are finally clamped on the shaft in their appropriate positions.
The motor belt is supposed to be replaced and the main frame transferred to its hanging position. By running the
motor it can be verified that the calculations are correct. Should it happen that they are not, the fact that the blocks
are not dynamically balanced will at once be clearly shown by the vibrations of the suspended assembly.
Recommended literature:
1.
2.

Shigley JE and Uicker JJ Theory of Machines and Mechanics. McGraw Hill 1980.
Mabie HH and Ocvrik FW Mechanics and Dynamics of Machinery, John Wiley & Sons 1975

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Dimensions of the Apparatus

Length
---------- 22 inches
(56 cms)
Width
---------- 11 inches
(28 cms)
Height
---------- 24 inches
(61 cms)
Nett Weight
---------- 54 lbs
(25 Kilos)
Driving Motor ---------- 1/40 H.P., 1400 r.p.m Voltage and Frequency
--------------------------------------

Machine rigidly fixed in position for determination of Wr

Machine in the suspended position ready for running up to speed

Typical Results
Experiment: To statically and dynamically balance a four plane rotating mass system. Block No.2 is to be
positioned 70o anticlockwise and 6" along the shaft from block No.1. Determine the angular and longitudinal
positions of blocks 3 and 4 for perfect balance.

Solution
(a) Determinations of Wr for each of the blocks
Block No. 1
Block No. 2
Block No. 3
Block No. 4

-------------------------W1r1
-------------------------W2r2
-------------------------W3r3
-------------------------- W4r4

=
=
=
=

65)
62)
73)
70)

Steel Balls

(b) The Polygon of Forces, Fig 3, is drawn to determine the angular positions of blocks Nos.3 and 4.
From the diagram = 10o and = 14o
(c) Calculation of the longitudinal positions of blocks Nos.3 and 4
Let the distances from Block No.1 be m. and 1 inches respectively, Fig.4.
Taking Moments about A in the vertical plane:6 x 62.cos.70o =
127.2 =
1

1 x 70 cos. 10o + m x 73.sin.14o

68.8.1 + 17.68 m.
------------=

(A)

-------------

(B)

Taking Moments about A in the Horizontal plane:6 x 62.sin.70o + 1 x 70.sin.10 o = m x 73. Cos.14o.
349 +

12.78.1 =

70.8 m. --------------

(C)

Substituting m for 1 in equation (C):349

12.78

24 000 +

1625 -

226 m. = 4860 m.

Substituting in equation (B):m

= .551m

On fixing the blocks on the shaft in these positions and running the shaft up to speed the system was found to be in
balance.
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