Application Note #5 www.custommachinerysolutions.

com

Cuussttoomm Maacchhiinneerryy Soolluuttiioonnss LL..LL..CC..

Rotor Balancing Center Hung, Two Plane, Influence Coefficient Method

INTRODUCTION
Pl 1 Pl 2
Most rotors have discs, wheels or impellers supported
between the bearings or center hung. These center hung
rotors are typically balanced the influence coefficient
balancing method as originally described by Thearle(2)
(1934). The process consists of measuring the initial 14
vibration data, then running the rotor twice with trial
weights in plane 1 then plane 2. The influence coefficients 4.5 5
are solved for the weight amount and placement. The
solutions are typically calculated using a computer,
calculator or if a balancing machine is used by the
balancing machine software. The calculations may also be
performed graphically.

STATIC-COUPLE BALANCE

The two plane center hung balancing process will be

demonstrated using the CMS Model 100 Rotor-Kit. The Right
Left
Rotor-Kit was setup with two discs center-hung as shown Bearing
Bearing
in Figure 1 & 2.

Data from the accelerometers used lagging phase

convention. Figure 1: Centerhung Two Plane Rotor Diagram
Two accelerometers were stud mounted in the
horizontal direction at each bearing pedestal.
Weight placement used leading phase convention,
i.e., holes were numbered 1 through 16 against the
direction of rotation.
The leading edge of the reflective tape was sensed
by the optical tachometer. The edge of the tape
was at the same angular location as Hole #1 or 0
Degrees.
The optical tachometer was positioned at the
centerline of the shaft, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. CMS Rotor-Kit Setup For Two Plane Centerhung

Balance.

Copyright 2008 by Custom Machinery Solutions L.L.C.

Step 1: The CMS Rotor-Kit Model 100 was configured Initial Run Trial Run 1 Trial Run 2
as shown in Figures 1 & 2.
Data Amp Phase Amp Phase Amp Phase
Location in/sec Lag in/sec Lag in/sec Lag
Step 2: The rotor was brought to a speed of 3800 RPM pk Angle pk Angle pk Angle
and the initial vibration and phase lag angles measured at Left Plane 0.059 66 0.090 75 0.094 77
both bearings are listed in Table 1. Hor
Right 0.081 62 0.012 73 .129 75
Initial Run Plane Hor
Data Location Amplitude in/sec Phase Lag Angle
pk Table 3: Initial Run & Trial Runs #1 & #2,
Left Plane Hor 0.059 66
Right Plane Hor 0.081 62 Step 6: The trial weight was removed from Plane 2.
Table 1: Initial Run Data. Balance correction weights were calculated using eZ-
Balance with the following results.

Step 3: With the CMS Rotor-Kit stopped, a trial Plane 1 1.225 gr @ 213 Deg (Between holes 10 & 11.
weight of 0.43 grams was installed in Hole 14 in Plane 1. Plane 2 0.951 gr @ 73 Deg (Between holes 4 & 5 ).

Step 4: The CMS Rotor-Kit was brought back to the The correction weights for Plane 1 were split between
same speed as the initial run and the vibration and phase Holes 10 and 11. The split weights were calculated using
lag angles measured. The data are listed in Table 3. eZ-Balance as follows:

Hole 10 (202.5 Deg) 0.686 gr

Note that the trial weight should cause a significant
Hole 11 ( 225 Deg) 0.564 gr
change in vibration amplitude and/or phase lag angle. If it
does not, the accuracy of the influence coefficients is
The correction weights for Plane 2 were split between
reduced. In this case, there is adequate amplitude change.
Holes 4 and 5. The split weights were calculated using eZ-
Balance as follows:
Initial Run Trial Run 1

Data Location Amp Phase Amp Phase Hole 4 (67.5 Deg) 0.729 gr.
in/sec Lag in/sec Lag Hole 5 (90.0 Deg) 0.236 gr.
pk Angle pk Angle
Left Plane Hor 0.059 66 0.090 75 Step 7: The correction weights were carefully
Right Plane Hor 0.081 62 0.012 73
weighed and installed in Plane 1 and Plane 2. Note that
Table 3: Initial Run & Trial Run #1, the exact weight could not be obtained using only the set
screws so small pieces of lead tape were also used. The
rotor was run up to 3800 RPM and the vibration amplitude
Step 5: With the CMS Rotor-Kit stopped, the trial and phase lag angles recorded as shown in Table 4.
weight was removed from Plane 1 and installed in Hole 12
of Plane 2. The rotor was run back to the original speed Initial Run Final Run
and the vibration and phase lag angles measured as shown
in Table 4. Data Location Amp Phase Amp in/sec Phase
in/sec pk Lag pk Lag
Angle Angle
Left Plane 0.059 66 0.006 36
Hor
Right Plane 0.081 62 0.008 47
Hor
Table 4: Initial Run & Final Run.

2 of 5
Copyright 2008 by Custom Machinery Solutions L.L.C.
VIBRATION REDUCTION Equation 2-4 Ref 5 can be used to calculate the permissible
residual unbalance.
Vibration amplitude percent reductions calculated as
follows: Where
W (2)
0.006 U PER (oz in) = 6.015iG i
Left Plane Hor 100 (100i ) = 89.8% N
0.059 W
U PER ( g in) = 170.5iG i (3)
0.008 N
Right Plane Hor 100 (100i ) = 90.1%
0.081 W
U PER ( g mm) = 9,549iG i (4)
N
Vibration was reduced significantly to a very low amplitude.
But, what tolerance would this balance meet? G = Balance quality grade
BALANCE TOLERANCE W = Rotor Weight lbs
There are a number of balance standards but the ISO N = Maximum service RPM
1940-1:2003Ref 4 is often used for specifying rotor balance
for rigid rotors. This standard provides methods of Using the values for the CMS Rotor-Kit configured for
specifying the rotor balance tolerance as follows: two plane center hung balance, the permissible unbalance
is calculated using equations (2), (3) and (4) for G2.5 as
Balance quality grade G mm/s and allocation to the follows:
tolerance planes.
Balance tolerance based on bearing force limits. Rotor Weight 5 lbf
Specification of balance tolerance based on Service RPM 3800
vibration limits. Balance Quality Grade G 2.5 mm/s
Specification of balance tolerances based on
established experience. 5
U PER (oz in) = 6.015i2.5i = 0.0198 oz iin
3800
The balance quality grade is most often used since this is 5
readily available from charts. The quality grade is U PER ( g in) = 170.5i2.5i = 0.561 g in
expressed for example as G 2.5 where the units are mm/s. 3800
The permissible residual unbalance using the selected 5
balance quality grade can be obtained using equation U PER ( g mm) = 9, 549i2.5i = 31.411 g mm
3800
(1)Ref 4.
(e per i)im (1)
U PER ( g mm) = 1, 000 Since the rotor is setup with symmetrical located discs, the
balance tolerance is divided by 2 and applied to each
Where bearing. The initial and final run vibration is shown in
Table 4 but these data do not tell us to what level the rotor
U per The permissible residual unbalance in gram was balanced even though the vibration levels are very
millimeters (g mm) low.

The angular velocity of the rotor service The residual unbalance may be verified in situ using the
speed, radians per second (rad/s) and n is same procedure used to balance the rotor as follows:
revolutions per minute (r/min).
(e per i) The numerical value of the selected balance 1) Measure the vibration amplitude and phase lag at
quality grade expressed in millimeters per the bearing housings
second (mm/s)
m The rotor mass in kilograms (kg)
3 of 5
Copyright 2008 by Custom Machinery Solutions L.L.C.
 2) Install a test weight in Plane 1 and run the rotor to
the same synchronous speed. Measure the U per Plane 2( B ) = 0.140 gr 2.125 in = 0.298 gr in
vibration amplitude and phase lag.
The residual unbalance is well below the allowable of
3) Remove the test weight from Plane 1 and install it 0.561 gr-in for the G2.5 balance quality.
in Plane 2. Run the rotor to the same synchronous
speed and measure the amplitude and phase. BEARING FORCE LIMITS
4) Remove the test weight from Plane 2. Evaluate the The lbf generated by a simple unbalance disc can be
readings using the influence coefficient method. calculated using equation (7). For rolling element bearing
supported rotors, most rotor force is seen by the bearing
housing. The oil film absorbs much of the rotor motion in
Initial Run (After Balancing) fluid film bearings so the bearing housing does not see all
of the unbalance force.
Data Location Amp in/sec pk Phase Lag Angle
Left Plane Hor 0.006 36
Right Plane Hor 0.008 47 When balancing a rotor in situ, the balance tolerance
based on bearing force limits can be used if there is a
Table 5. Residual Unbalance Test Initial Run means of measuring the dynamic force such as force
gages. Experimental modal analysis can also be used to
measure the mobility of the bearing housing or housings
Plane 1 Test Wt 0.43 gr 0 Deg (see Application Note #6). The mobility is typically
measured by impacting the housing or pedestal using a
Data Location Amp in/sec pk Phase Lag Angle modal hammer, measuring the response with an
Left Plane Hor 0.035 83 accelerometer or velocity probe and using a multi-channel
Right Plane Hor 0.048 84 analyzer to calculate the transfer function. Then, using the
measured vibration and the mobility transfer function the
Table 6. Residual Unbalance Test Test Weight in
dynamic force at specific frequencies such as the rotor
Plane 2.
synchronous speed can be calculated.

The ISO 1940-1:2003(E)Ref 4 provides the following

Plane 2 Test Wt 0.43 gr 0 Deg equations for specifying balance based on bearing force.
Data Location Amp in/sec pk Phase Lag Angle FA
U per A = (5)
Left Plane Hor 0.037 84 2
Right Plane Hor 0.054 86

Table 7. Residual Unbalance Test Test Weight in FB

U per B = (6)
Plane 2.
2

Using the influence coefficient data in Tables 5 7 the

residual unbalance calculated to: Where:
Plane 1 0.173 gr @ 58 deg Uper A = The permissible residual unbalance at bearing
Plane 2 0.140 gr @ 205 deg A
Uper B = The permissible residual unbalance at bearing
Then the permissible unbalance in gr-in is calculated for B
each plane as follows: FA = The permissible bearing force caused by
U per Plane1( A) = 0.173 gr 2.125 in = 0.368 gr in unbalance in bearing A.
FB = The permissible bearing force caused by
unbalance in bearing B.
4 of 5
Copyright 2008 by Custom Machinery Solutions L.L.C.
 = The angular velocity of the maximum service 2. Thearle, E. L., 1934, Dynamic Balancing of
speed. Rotating Machinery in the Field, Transactions of
ASME, 56: 745-753.
Dynamic force generated by an eccentric mass in lbf can 3. Salamone, D. J., and E.J. Gunter, 1978, Effect of
be calculated using equation (7). Shaft Warp and Disc Skew on Synchronous
Unbalance Response of a Multi-Mass Rotor in
Fluid Film Bearings, Topics in Fluid Film
2
Flbf = 1.77ioz iini( ) (7) Bearings and Rotor Bearing Systems Design and
1000 Optimization, ASME, New York, pp 79-107.
Where: 4. International Standard (ISO) 1940-1, Second
Edition 2003-08-15, Mechanical vibration
Flbf = The dynamic force generate by an eccentric Balance quality requirement for rotors in a
mass in lbs force. constant (rigid) state Part 1: Specification and
Oz = Unbalance mass in ounces. verification of balance tolerances.
In = Mass eccentric distance inches. 5. IRD Balancing Technical Paper 1, Balance
= The angular velocity of the maximum service Quality Requirements of Rigid Rotors, The
speed in RPM. Practical Application of ISO 1940/1,
www.irdbalancing.com
Using the CMS Rotor-Kit residual unbalance data
previously measured as an example and equation (7):
Rotor weigh = 5 lbs
Balancing speed 3,800 RPM
Disc balance weight radius = 2.125 inch
Residual unbalance in grams calculated above:
o Plane 1 = 0.173 gr
o Plane 2 = 0.140 gr

Using Equation (7) the force generated at each balance

plane was calculated.
0.172 gr 3800 2
FlbfPlaneA( Left ) = 1.77i( )i 2.125ini( ) = 0.329 lbf
28.4 gr / oz 1000

0.140 gr 3800 2
FlbfPlaneB ( Right ) = 1.77i( )i2.125ini( ) = 0.268 lbf
28.4 gr / oz 1000

Note: See CMS Application Note #6 which demonstrates

the experimental modal analysis method to estimate the
bearing pedestal dynamic forces.

REFERENCES

1. Enrich, Fredric F., Handbook of

Rotordynamics, Chapter 3, Balancing Of Rigid
And Flexible rotors, Gunter, Dr. Edgar J., Jackson,
Charles, P.E., ISBN 0-07-019330-4.

5 of 5
Copyright 2008 by Custom Machinery Solutions L.L.C.