BALANCING OF ROTATING EQUIPMENT COMPONENTS

BALANCING OF ROTATING EQUIPMENT COMPONENTS

Purpose:
To give an overall idea about the balancing of Rotating Equipment components to the
Maintenance and Operations personnel.
Scope:
The scope of the manual is to explain the purpose of balancing the rotating equipment
components and to give a brief information about the balancing procedures, balancing
machines and the prevalent balancing standards.

Table of Contents
Terminology
1.1

Balance Quality Grade: G Xxx

1.2

Center Of Gravity

1.3

Principal Inertia Axis

1.4 Correction Plane (For Balancing)

1.5 Static Unbalance
1.6

Couple Unbalance

1.7

Critical Speed

1.8

Dynamic Unbalance

1.9

Rotor

1.10

Rigid Rotor

1.11

Flexible Rotor

1.12

Specific Unbalance

1.13

Residual Unbalance

1.14

Permissible Residual Unbalance (U per )

1.15

Units Of Unbalance Introduction

2.1

Reasons For Balancing

2.2

Causes Of Unbalance

Safety & Environmental Precautions

3.1

Safety Of The Balancing Machines

3.2

Safety While Balancing The Rotors

3.3

Safety During The Field Balancing Of The Rotating Equipment :

BALANCING MACHINES:

4.1

Gravity Balancing Machines:

4.2

Centrifugal Balancing Machines:

4.2.1

SOFT BEARING BALANCING MACHINES

4.2.2

HARD BEARING BALANCING MACHINES :

BALANCING METHODS

5.1

Preparation For Balancing

5.2

Shop Balancing

5.2.1

SYMMETRICAL ROTOR

5.2.2

SYMMETRICAL ROTOR WITH OUTBOARD BALANCING PLANES

5.2.3

OVERHUNG AND NARROW ROTORS

5.3

High Speed Balancing

5.4

Field Balancing-

BALANCING STANDARDS.

References

1
1.1

Terminology
Balance Quality Grade: G Xxx

For rigid rotors, G , is the product of specific unbalance , e, and rotor maximum service angular
velocity. Service angular velocity is nothing but the service RPM expressed in radians per
second.( w )

G=e* w
1.2

Center Of Gravity

The point in a body of a rotor through which the resultant of the weights of its component
particles passes for all orientations of the body with respect to a gravitational field is called the
center of gravity - C.G.
This can also be described as the point about which the rotors weight is equally distributed.
1.3

Principal Inertia Axis

A line about which the rotor weight is equally distributed is known as Principle Inertia Axis ( PIA
in short ) . It is obvious that the Center of Gravity ( CG ) is always on the Principal Inertia Axis
( PIA )
1.4 Correction Plane (For Balancing)The plane perpendicular to the shaft axis of a rotor in which correction for unbalance is made.
The correction can be in the form of material addition, or material removal, or any change in
the weight distribution in this plane.
1.5

Static Unbalance

It is that condition of unbalance for which the central principal axis is displaced only parallel to
the shaft axis.

1.6

Couple Unbalance

It is that condition of the unbalance for which the central principal axis intersects the shaft axis
at the center of gravity.

1.7

Critical Speed

It is that speed at which a system resonance is excited. The resonance may be of journal
supports ( rigid mode ) or flexure of the rotor ( flexural mode ). There are many critical speeds
for a rotor and they are denoted like first, second, third in lateral and torsional modes.
1.8

Dynamic Unbalance

It is that condition of unbalance for which the central principal axis ( PIA ) is not parallel to and
does not intersect the shaft axis. Obviously the CG is not on the shaft axis as well .It is usually a
combination of the static and couple unbalance. This is the type of unbalance, which is usually
found in practice in the unbalanced rotor.

The Dynamic unbalance is equivalent to two unbalance vectors in two specified planes, which
completely represent the total unbalance of the rotor.
Dynamic unbalance may also be resolved into a static and couple unbalance vectors whose
vector sum is also equal to the total unbalance of the rotor.

1.9

Rotor

A body capable of rotation, which generally has journals supported by the bearings.

1.10 Rigid Rotor

A rotor is considered rigid if its unbalance can corrected in any two correction planes. After the
correction, the residual unbalance does not change significantly at any speed up to the
maximum service speed. In other words it also means that the rotor service speed is much
lower than its first lateral critical speed.
1.11 Flexible Rotor
A rotor that does not satisfy the definition of the rigid rotor is known as a flexible rotor. It also
means that the rotor needs to be balanced in such a way that it remains reasonably balanced
while it attains the maximum service speed. The rotor of this class runs at least above the first
lateral critical speed. While passing through the critical speeds there is some amount of elastic
deflection depending on the mode shapes. The correction planes are so selected that, the
elastic deflection has no severe impact on the balance of the rotor, at that speed range.
1.12 Specific Unbalance
The static unbalance U divided by the rotor mass M. This will also yield the value for mass
eccentricity, which is denoted by e

1.13 Residual Unbalance

The unbalance of any kind that remains after the balancing of the rotor is known as residual
unbalance. This must be less than the permissible value, as per the balancing standers adopted
for that class of rotor.
1.14 Permissible Residual Unbalance (U per )
The maximum residual unbalance permitted for a rotor or for a correction plane for the rotor is
termed as permissible residual unbalance. This is expressed as
U per = e per x m , Where m is the mass of the rotor.
1.15 Units Of Unbalance
Unbalance is measured in gram-millimeters or ounce inches. It simply means the quantity of
unbalance mass (m) , multiplied by the distance ( R ) from shaft axis.
As an example, an unbalance of 15 gm at 100 mm radius will introduce an unbalance of ( 15 x
100 ) = 1500 gm-mm , in that plane.
This is independent of speed of rotation. However the same unbalance will produce higher
centrifugal force if the speed of rotation increases. In fact the centrifugal force generated due
to unbalance is proportional to the square of RPM. ( F = m x R x W x W)
2

Introduction

One of the basic problems in the rotating machinery is the unwanted vibration. Since the rotor
rotates, if it is out of balance, vibration will be present primarily because of the unbalance. This
can corrected by balancing the rotor. There are many other reasons for balancing the rotors.
2.1

Reasons For Balancing

An unbalanced rotor will cause vibrations, and may result into premature bearing failures, seal
failures, noisy operation, shaft & coupling damage, structural vibrations and failures. This
depends on the degree of unbalance and also the tolerance of the various components to
theses forces produced due to unbalance. Therefore balancing of the rotor is required for the
following reasons Reduce vibration and noise
Reduce stresses on the rotor shaft, bearings, coupling, gears, frame, foundations, adjoining
structure and machinery, etc.
Improve MTBF ( Mean Time Between Failures ) of the rotating equipment by improving
bearing, seal, and coupling life
Increase safety, and improve working environment for operators by reducing vibrations,
noise, and other failures, etc.
Improve the ergonomic quality of the product
2.2

Causes Of Unbalance

Ideally speaking, a fully machined (from outside and inside) and absolutely symmetrical rotor
should be inherently balanced in the as machined condition, even if it is not balanced
after manufacturing. However this is rarely achieved. The reasons are as follows Inaccuracies in the manufacturing processes including tolerances in machining, casting,
welding, and finally the assembly fits.
Anisotropy of the material due to voids in casting, inclusions and blowholes in the welding,
metallurgical differences, and so on.
Geometrical differences resulting in non- symmetry
Distortion during operation because of mechanical forces, thermal distortion, looseness at
higher speeds due to centrifugal forces
Corrosion, erosion and the deposits on the rotating parts in service
3
3.1

Safety & Environmental Precautions

Safety Of The Balancing Machines :

The balancing machines handle rotating components like rotors of pumps, turbines and
compressors. The lifting and shifting of these parts should be done by qualified trained
personnel and by using the load tested lifting equipment like cranes, slings, eyebolts and
shackles.
When the rotors are balanced, they are rotated at a certain speed. The area around the
machine should be well cordoned and should be kept safe for the personnel working nearby.
The rotor should be thoroughly checked for any loose part or the damage so as to exclude any
possibility of loose part on the rotating component.
Please see the photograph of the Balancing Machine equipped with the safety barriers and the
enclosure, for the safety.
The rotor has to be coupled very carefully with the balancing machine coupling. The error at
this point results in a faulty balancing and a chance of rotor getting uncoupled while being
rotated in the balancing machine.
Every balancing machine has a safe working limit as far as the maximum speed and the
maximum weight of the rotor it can safely handle. The balancing machine should be strictly
used within this limit. Exceeding the limit may result in damage to the machine, rotor and the
personnel operating the machine, etc.

3.2

Safety While Balancing The Rotors :

The unbalance correction usually carried out by adding or removing the mass on the rotor. The
addition of the mass can be achieved by welding, bolting, riveting etc. This operation should be
performed using all the PPEs (personal protective equipment) like hand gloves, welders glasses
and face shields, etc.
The mass can be removed by grinding, machining etc. The appropriate PPEs life, face shields,
hand gloves, etc must be used. Secondly, if the correction is done, while the rotor is still on the
rollers of the balancing machine, it should be positively ensured that the machine does not
start spinning the job accidentally.

A care must be taken to remove the mass gradually as per the recommended practices and
keep the strength and integrity of the rotor in mind while doing any such operations. The
addition of mass or removal of mass should not result in weak spot or should not cause a major
disturbance to the flow in the equipment.
3.3

Safety During The Field Balancing Of The Rotating Equipment :

Some of the large and slow speed rotors like boiler fans, conveying blowers, and Cooling tower
fans, etc are balanced at site for convenience. The equipment is run for a short time to take the
vibration and phase readings. The correction is made in steps by adding the mass at a specific
radius and angle. Extreme care is necessary while adding the masses and also while taking the
readings. Usually three or even more trials are necessary in the field balancing. After every trial
followed by correction on the rotor the equipment is started for taking the readings. Under no
circumstances the equipment should accidentally start when the job is being carried out on the
rotor.
The addition of the mass can be achieved by welding, bolting, riveting etc. This operation
should be performed using all the PPEs (personal protective equipment) like hand gloves,
welders glasses and face shields, etc. Proper work permits, hot work permits and positive
isolation of the equipment while the weights are being added on the rotor must be strictly
followed. All the concerned personnel should be informed before starting the job and also after
completing the balancing job.
4

BALANCING MACHINES:

The purpose of the balancing machine is to determine the magnitude and angular position of
the unbalance in the plane of reference called the balancing plane.
4.1

Gravity Balancing Machines:

This type of machine includes the Horizontal ways, knife-edges and the roller stand. The rotor
to be balanced is placed on it and rolled slowly so that the heavy side rolls down due to gravity.
This machine is good enough only to detect the static unbalance and useful for narrow rotors
only. This is a useful step for the subsequent dynamic balancing, because the statically
balanced rotor with a reduced residual unbalance is easy to balance on the dynamic balancing
machines.
4.2

Centrifugal Balancing Machines:

The rotor is supported by the balancing machine bearings and rotated around a horizontal or
vertical axis. The centrifugal balancing machine is capable of measuring the static unbalance
(single plane) and static or couple unbalance (in two-plane machine). It should be noted that
only a two plane rotating balancing machine can detect a couple and hence a dynamic
unbalance. In these types of machines, the amplitude and phase of motions or reaction forces
of rotating centrifugal force vector is sensed and measured and also indicated to the operator
for the balance correction.
Two types of the centrifugal balancing machines are commonly used. They are called soft
bearing machines and the hard bearing machines.
4.2.1

SOFT BEARING BALANCING MACHINES

The name soft bearing balancing machine is derived from the fact that these machine
support the rotor to be balanced on the bearings which are very flexible. This allows the rotor
and bearing pedestals to vibrate freely and generously in the direction perpendicular to the
rotor axis. The resonance of the rotor system occurs at a speed much lower than the speed at
which the actual balancing is carried out. Please refer the Phase angle and displacement
amplitude versus rotational speed in the SOFT BEARING balancing machines given below.

Phase angle and displacement amplitude versus rotational speed in the SOFT BEARING
balancing machines

DETAILS OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE BALANCING MACHIUNES

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE ROLLER CARRIAGE FOR ROTOR WITH THEIR OWN JOURNALS

SLEEVE BEARING SUPPORT FOR THE HIGH SPEED BALANCING OF ROTOR

4.2.2

HARD BEARING BALANCING MACHINES :

Hard bearing balancing machines are similar to the soft bearing balancing machines in
construction. The only difference being their bearing supports are much stiffer in comparison.
This results in a resonance of the rotating system occurring much above the balancing speed.
The hard bearing balancing machine is therefore specially designed to be operated well below
the resonance .

Phase angle and displacement amplitude versus rotational speed in the HARD BEARING
balancing machine

BALANCING METHODS

Basically there are three types of balancing jobs encountered and the methods involved used
for those types may be categorized as
Shop balancing
High Speed balancing
Field balancing

BALANCING A ROTOR ON A BELT DRIVEN BALANCING MACHINE

A VERY BIG FAN ROTOR BIENG BALANCED

A BIG , VERY HEAVY STEAM TURBINE ROTOR BEING BALANCED

5.1

Preparation For Balancing

Before starting the balancing of a rotor few things are important to remember. The list is very
long but some of the important points are highlighted below-

If the rotor to balanced is the one which was used in service, clean the rotor thoroughly and
inspect for any damage, cracks, wear etc. A thorough degreasing followed by ash blasting or
ceramic bead blasting is an ideal way to clean the rotor.
In case of a doubt, magnetic particle inspection or Dye Penetration test is helpful in
determining the surface & subsurface flaws and cracks etc.

It is always a good idea to remove all the deposits, especially polymer deposits and the
deposits on fan rotors, turbine blades, before balancing.
The straightness of the rotor shaft must be checked and the ovality, taper and wear on the
journals must be measured. If the shaft is bent and the journals are not within the specified
accuracy, there is no use of balancing in this case. These faults must be corrected first to
achieve the accurate balancing.
The rotor assembly and fitment of the impellers and discs on the shaft must be checked for
proper shrink fits, perpendicularity and axial location. No rotating part should be loosely
installed on the shaft.
It is also important to measure the radial and axial runouts on the impeller discs and shrouds.
This has to be within the limits specified. Any correction or machining required has to be done
before the balancing. After balancing no corrections are possible .
The rotor is balanced by supporting the journals on the balancing machine rollers. Hence both
the journals of the rotor as well as the rollers of the balancing machine have to be inspected
and should be free of inaccuracy.
The compressor, fan and pump rotors must be balanced on the balancing machine by rotating
them in their usual direction of rotation. Where as the turbine rotor is reverse rotated while
balancing.
The rotor to be balanced must be a full assembly including the keys, the coupling half , any
subassemblies like overspeed mechanism, lube oil pump driving gear and so on. This ensures
that the full rotating assembly is precisely balanced as one single unit in the final balancing
step.
5.2

Shop Balancing

Most of the rotors are balanced in the shop where they are manufactured. The Original
Equipment Manufacturers who manufacture pumps , turbines and compressors , carry out the
balancing of their rotors by this method. Depending on the size, weight and the speed of the
equipment, different types of the balancing machines are used. In most of the cases the speed
used to rotate the rotor is much less than the actual speed of the rotor. Depending on the
shape of the rotor different methods are employed. Some of the shop balancing machines have
direct drives and the rotor to be balanced is connected by a suitable end drive adapter, which
connects the rotor to the driver by a universal joint. In some of the balancing machines, the
drive is by a belt for spinning the rotor, as shown on the Universal Balancing machine on the
previous page.
For balancing the rotor the important dimensions like the bearing span ( D), distance between
CG and the correction planes ( BL & BR ), distance between bearing and the correction plane
( A ) must be measured and noted carefully.
5.2.1

SYMMETRICAL ROTOR

The type of rotor that falls under this category must satisfy the following conditions

Correction planes are within the bearings

The distance B is greater than 1/3 of D

The correction planes are equidistant from the center of gravity CG and when the
correction planes are not equidistant from the CG, the permissible unbalance calculated per
plane should be in that proportion.
U per Left = U per ( BR / B )
U per Right = U per ( BL / B )
This type of rotors are typically seen in double entry boiler fans etc. Please see the following
figure.

5.2.2

SYMMETRICAL ROTOR WITH OUTBOARD BALANCING PLANES

These type of rotors are also popularly known as Dumb-bell rotors.

The correction planes are equidistant from the center of gravity CG and when the correction
planes are not equidistant from the CG, the permissible unbalance calculated per plane should
be in that proportion.
U per Left = U per ( BR / B )
U per Right = U per ( BL / B )
This type of rotors is typically seen in turbo-expanders, integral gear air compressor rotors and
so on.

5.2.3

OVERHUNG AND NARROW ROTORS

These are very common for the overhung fans and overhung pump impellers. These types of
rotors are supported by two bearings and as compared to the impeller diameter the width of
the impeller is very small making it a narrow rotor.

The following rules and conditions apply to the overhung and narrow rotors.
The distance between the correction planes is less than 1/3 the distance between the bearings.
( B < 1/3 D.)
The permissible dynamic bearing loads are assumed to be equal.
Couple corrections are made 180 degrees apart in their respective planes.
The plane for static corrections may be a third plane or either of the planes used for couple
corrections.
Allocate per as static and couple residual unbalance as follows :
U per Static = U per / 2 * D / 2*C
U per Couple = U per / 2 * 3*D / 4*C
Permissible unbalance allocation for overhang and narrow impellers require that two-plane
unbalance correction divided into static and couple unbalance equivalents.
5.3

High Speed Balancing

The high speed balancing or at speed balancing is done for high speed critical centrifugal
compressors and turbines etc. It requires a very sophisticated set up and a balancing machine.
These types of facilities are limited in number worldwide and they are very expensive as well.
The installation consists of a chamber capable of holding the rotor along with the bearing
pedestals, and also a place for the balancing personnel to move inside for weight correction on

the same rotor by machining, grinding, etc. The complete set up is in a bunker and the in an
airtight chamber or enclosure. The chamber is connected to the vacuum pumps. The vacuum is
maintained to avoid the airflow through the impeller. At very high speed the windage and
friction will be very disturbing, and dangerous as well. Secondly it will require a prime mover of
very high horsepower to spin the rotor at that speed. One more problem will be the heating up
of the air inside the chamber. Rotating the rotor in a vacuum chamber solves all these
problems. There are protection devices to safeguard against the vacuum failure.
Normally a variable speed drive or motor and gearbox combination is used. The balancing
equipment are also very sophisticated and they include computerised system which calculates
the unbalance and the angular position etc. It records the initial unbalance and also records all
the stepwise corrections. It is worth noting that for balance correction, say by grinding, the
rotor must be stopped and vacuum must be relieved. Again after the correction, the rotor must
be tested in re-evacuated chamber. This makes the High Speed balancing a very time
consuming, labour intensive and expensive operation.
It must be noted that all the rotors do not deserve such a stringent testing. The multistage,
critical rotors, falling in the category of Flexible Rotors, meaning operating above their first
lateral (bending) critical speed, must be tested this way. This testing revels characteristics of
the dynamic rotor response.
Please refer to the following pictures showing a complete set-up for high speed balancing. Note
the enclosure, the bearings with pickups and the vacuum seals, etc. On these types of
machines the critical multi-impeller rotors are also tested for what is popularly known as Over
Speed Testing .

5.4

Field Balancing

This is one more practical way of balancing the rotating equipment and the name of this
method is due to the fact that it is done in the field. This is also suitable for big rotors rotating
at lower speeds for example air blowers, fans, etc. Generally this method is used for small finer
corrections and not the major adjusting. This is usually done when the machine vibrations show
an increase and the cause is the imbalance. The rotors such as ID fans show out of balance
after some use due to thermal distortion, corrosion, erosion, wear and tear and deposits etc. If
the imbalance resulting due to such a problem is not very high, it can be corrected easily by
field balancing. It is much easier to do a field balancing than, de-coupling, opening the
equipment, and taking out the complete rotor assembly, transporting from site to balancing
facility and then fixing back the same way after the shop balancing.
Secondly, many of the equipment are so designed that a field balancing provision is made on
the rotor. Electric motors, air fan rotors, and sometimes even the steam turbines have a
provision for adding the balance correction weights without removing the rotor from the casing.
The end covers have widows to get access to the balance correction ring or slots in which the
balance weights are added and fixed permanently so that they do not move in service.
In the field balancing, single plane, two-plane and multi plane balancing is possible. It depends
on the shape of the rotor and the running speed. Very narrow overhung type rotors are
balanced in the single plane. Relatively broad rotor life ID fan rotors and electric motor rotors
are balanced in two planes.

Example of a single plane field balancing, showing measurement points

As a preparation for the field balancing of the rotor it is essential to verify that the cause of the
vibration is unbalance. After this is confirmed, it is a god idea to inspect the rotor for any major
damage. If the rotor is coated with dirt and dust or some polymer deposits, it is essential to
clean the rotor. High-pressure hot water cleaning is one of methods to clean at site. Then some
field dimensions like bearing span (D), correction plane and CG ( BL & BR ) , correction radius
(R), correction planes and bearings ( A ) etc are required, to calculate correction weights.

Example of a two - plane field balancing, showing measurement points

The field balancing is done by using many different equipment. There are some portable field
balancing equipment available. They have portable vibration pickups and strobe light. The

vibration measure provides an indication of the unbalance mass and the reading is in
proportion of the unbalance.

The vibration magnitude indicated by the equipment may be displacement, velocity or

acceleration depending on the type of transducer and the selected unit of display.

As indicated in the two previous examples, the pickup is mounted on the bearing housing to
measure the vibrations. The angle of unbalance can be found out if there is a shaft key
which is used to trigger the strobe. Other wise optical pickup is also used to determine the
angle.

Second possible way is to use the three trial runs method. The first run is take in the rotor in
as it is condition. The vibration amplitude and the phase are measured. In the second trial a
suitable trial weight is attached to the rotor and the rotor is brought to the operating speed
again.

This time the vibration amplitude and the angle is noted. Then based on these two readings,
the exact balance correction weight is found out and attached. The third run is usually is a final
run and it is expected that the rotor is balanced at this stage. The vibration levels are within the
permissible level. Occasionally a last trim balancing is carried out if necessary.
6

BALANCING STANDARDS.

There are many standards available today, which give guidelines for balancing. One can easily
determine the allowable limits from these standards. One of the most commonly used standard
is ISO-1940. This gives the values of Balance Quality Requirements of the Rigid Rotors.
To use this standard one must know what type of rotor is to be balanced. See the Table 1 for
determination of the type of rotor. From this table the second thing to note is the grade. For
example centrifugal pump impellers, and flywheels fall under G 6.3 grade. The steam and gas
turbine rotors and turbo compressor impellers are under grade G 2.5. After selecting the grade
from table 1, next step is to go to Figure 1-A or Figure 1 B, to find the maximum permissible
residual unbalance e per .
As an example, we have a centrifugal compressor rotor of weight 2200 lb. weight. The
maximum operating speed is 5000 RPM. The grade as per table 1 is G2.5. Then the formula
become
U per = ( G * e per * weight of rotor / 2 ) Max cont. RPM
= ( 2.5 * 6.0 * 2200 / 2 ) / 5000
= 3.3 oz-inch

If we use the formula given in API - 617, the formula is

U per = 4 W / N , where W = total rotor weight in lbs. and N = Max Continuous operation RPM.
Applying this formula to the previous example, we get
U per = 4 W / N = 4 * 2200 / 5000 = 1.76 oz inch.
Obviously API - 617 standard is more stringent, as it allows a smaller permissible unbalance of
1.76 oz-inch compared to the 3.3 oz-inch allowed by ISO -1940.

The other API standards also specify the similar things as far as dynamic balancing of the rotors
is concerned. The allowable residual unbalance per plane as specified by different API
standards is tabulated as follows-

S.N
.

API STD .

APPLICABLE FOR

FORMULA

API 611

Gen. Purpose Steam Turbines

U max = 4 W / N

API 616

Gas Turbines For Refineries

U max = 4 W / N

API 6 17

Centrifugal Compressors

U max = 4 W / N

API 610

Where

Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum , gas

etc

U max = 4 W / N

Umax = residual unbalance in ounce-inches ( gram-millimetres in SI )

W = Journal static weight load in pounds ( kilograms in SI )
N = maximum continuous speed in revolutions per minute RPM.

The above formula for SI units is expressed as , U max = 6350 W / N

TABLE 1 : BALANCE QUALITY GRADES & THE ROTOR TYPES , ISO 1940
Balance
Quality
Grade

Product
of

G 4000

4000

Crankshafts/ drives of rigidly mounted slow ( where the piston speed is

less than 9 m/s ) marine diesels with uneven number of cylinders.

G 1600

1600

Crankshafts/ drives of rigidly mounted two-cycle engines.

G 630

630

Crankshafts/ drives of rigidly mounted large four-cycle engines and

ROTOR TYPES GENERAL EXAMPLES

E per *
W

Crankshafts/ drives of elastically mounted marine diesel engines.

G 250

250

Crankshafts/ drives of rigidly mounted fast( where the piston speed is

more than 9 m/s ) four cycle diesel engines

G 100

100

Crankshafts/ drives of fast diesel engines with six or more cylinders.

And complete engines for cars, trucks, etc

G 40

40

Car wheels, wheel rims, wheel sets, drive shafts,

Crankshafts/ drives of elastically mounted fast four-cycle engines with
six or more cylinders.
Crankshafts/ drives of engines of cars, trucks, etc

G 16

16

Drive shafts ( propeller shafts, cordon shafts with special

requirements ) ,
Parts of crushing machines, agricultural machinery, individual
components of engines for cars, trucks, etc.

G 6.3

6.3

Parts of the process plant machines Centrifuge drums, paper

machinery rolls, print rolls, fans, flywheels, assembled aircraft gas
turbine rotors, , pump impellers, machine tool and general machinery
parts, medium and large electric armatures, small electric armatures

G 2.5

2.5

Gas and steam turbines, rigid turbo generator rotors, turbo

compressors, machine tool drives, medium and large electric
armatures with special requirements, turbine driven pumps

G1

Tape recorder and phonograph drives, grinding machine drives

Small electric armatures with special requirements

G 0.4

0.4

Spindles, discs and armatures of precision grinders,

Gyroscopes

Note : W = 2 p N / 60 rad / sec.

SUMMARY ON API STANDARDS FOR BALANCING ASPECT : API 617 For Centrifugal Compressors specifies the following guidelines.
Ref. Para 2.9.5.1: - Major parts of the rotating element, such as shaft, balancing drum, and
impellers shall be dynamically balanced. When a bare shaft with a single keyway is dynamically
balanced, the keyway shall be filled with a fully crowned half-key. The initial balance correction
to the shaft shall be recorded. A shaft with keys 180 degrees apart but not in the same
transverse plane shall also be treated as described above.
Ref. para 2.9.4.3: - The rotating element shall be multiplane dynamically balanced during the
assembly. His shall be accomplished after adding no more than two major components.
Balancing correction shall be applied only to the elements that are added. Other components

may require minor corrections during the final trim balancing of the completely assembled
element. On rotors that have single keyways, the keyway shall be filled with fully crowned halfkey. When specified, the weight of all half keys used during the final balancing of the assembled
element shall be recorded on the residual unbalance worksheet. The maximum allowable
residual unbalance per plane ( journal ) shall be calculated as follows; U max = 4 * W / N

( and in SI units U max = 6350 W / N )

Where Umax = residual unbalance in ounce-inches ( gram-millimetres in SI )

W = Journal static weight load in pounds ( kilograms in SI )
N = maximum continuous speed in revolutions per minute RPM.
When spare rotors are supplied they shall be dynamically balanced to the same tolerance as
main rotor.
Ref. Para 2.9.5.4 High speed balancing ( balancing in the high speed balancing machine at
the operating sped ) shall be done only with the purchasers specific approval. The acceptance
criteria for this balancing shall be mutually agreed upon by the purchaser and the vendor.
The other standards like API : 610-for pumps, API :611 for steam turbines, API : 672
packaged integrally geared compressors, etc also provide similar guidelines.

References

ISO 1940 Balance Quality Of Rotating Rigid Bodies classifies all rigid rotors and recommends
balance tolerances for them.
API STANDARD 610 - Centrifugal Pumps For Petroleum , Heavy Duty Chemical, And Gas
Industry.
API STANDARD 611- General Purpose Steam Turbines For Refinery Services.
API STANDARD 616 Gas Turbines for Refinery Services.
API STANDARD 617 - Centrifugal Compressors For Petroleum , Chemical, and Gas Service
Industry.
Machinery Component Maintenance and Repair by Heinz P Bloach & Fried K. Geitner Gulf
Publishing.
Compressors Selection & Sizing By Royce N. Brown Gulf Publishing Company.
Hard Bearing Balancing Machines SHENCK RoTec GmbH.
PGW- Turbo Compressors for the Process Industry Pumpen- und Geblasewerk Leipzig GmbH.