Balancing

An Introduction to Dynamic Balancing

Summary
Modern vibration monitoring and analysis instruments include a
dynamic balancing facility. On-board software is used to collect
required data, perform necessary calculations, and deliver
required balance weight corrections in terms of amount and
angular position. These balancing programs can usually be relied
upon for good results; however, inaccuracies do occur. It is
useful in such circumstances to have an understanding of
balancing to make appropriate allowance for particular
influences that may affect results.

MB02004
Mel Barratt
17 pages
April 2002

SKF Reliability Systems

@ptitudeXchange
5271 Viewridge Court
San Diego, CA 92123
United States
tel. +1 858 496 3554
fax +1 858 496 3555
email: info@aptitudexchange.com
Internet: www.aptitudexchange.com

Use of this document is governed by the terms

and conditions contained in @ptitudeXchange.
 Balancing

1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................4
1.1 Unbalance ....................................................................................................................4
1.2 Types of Unbalance .....................................................................................................4

2 Causes of Unbalance.................................................................................................................5
2.1 Deposit Build Up .........................................................................................................5
2.2 Rotor Erosion ...............................................................................................................6
2.3 Rotor Distortion ...........................................................................................................6
2.4 Eccentricity ..................................................................................................................6
2.5 Keys and Keyways.......................................................................................................6
2.6 Casting Defects ............................................................................................................7
2.7 Summary ......................................................................................................................7

3 Field Balancing.........................................................................................................................7
3.1 Preparations..................................................................................................................7
3.2 Recognizing the Type of Unbalance............................................................................8
3.3 Field Balancing Requirements .................................................................................8

4 Single Plane Balancing .............................................................................................................9

4.1 Software .....................................................................................................................10

5 Two-Plane Balancing..............................................................................................................10
5.1 Motivation..................................................................................................................10
5.2 Cross effect ................................................................................................................11
5.3 Applying the Single Plane Method ............................................................................11
5.4 Two-Plane Balancing Method ...................................................................................12

6 Balancing Program Enhancements .........................................................................................12

6.1 Changing the Radius ..................................................................................................13
6.2 Combining Balance Weights .....................................................................................13
6.3 Dividing Balance Weights .........................................................................................14

© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved 2

 Balancing

7 Tolerances...............................................................................................................................15

8 Tips for Improving Balancing Accuracy ................................................................................15

9 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................16

References......................................................................................................................................17

© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved 3


1 Introduction
1.1 Unbalance
According to the International Organization
for Standardization (ISO) unbalance or
imbalance is defined by “that condition which
exists in a rotor when a vibratory force or
motion is imparted to its bearings as a result of
centrifugal force.”
The effect occurs when a rotor’s mass is
unevenly distributed about the axis of rotation.
This can be envisaged as a “heavy spot” on
the rotor (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Simple disc rotor.
The units of unbalance are the product of the
weight of the heavy spot and the diameter at
which it acts. Typically this is expressed as
either gram-millimeters or ounce-inches of
unbalance. The centrifugal force generated by
an unbalanced rotor is a function of the
amount of unbalance and the rotor operating
speed. It may be calculated by the following
formulas:
For metric units
F=0.01 x W x R x (RPM/1000)2
F = Centrifugal force in Kg
W= Unbalance weight in Kg
R= Unbalance radius (centimetres)
RPM = Rotor operating speed
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
For English units:
F=1.77 x W x R x (RPM/1000)2
F = Centrifugal force in pounds
W= Unbalance weight in ounces
R= Unbalance radius (inches)
RPM = Rotor operating speed
Note that the force generated varies with the
square of the rotor speed. This means that
doubling the speed of the rotor results in four
times the force. Given the higher operating
speeds of modern machinery, relatively small
amounts of unbalance can result in very
destructive centrifugal forces.
If a rotor is placed on knife-edges and allowed
to rotate freely, gravity causes the rotor to
come to rest with the heavy spot at the bottom.
A very crude balance is achieved by simply
adding weight at the location radially opposite
this position until the rotor remains stationary
in any position that it is placed.
1.2 Types of Unbalance
Some rotors behave like the simple disc rotor in Figure
1; however, in many cases allowance must be made for
variation in mass distribution along a rotor’s length.
Figure 2. Static unbalance.
The unbalance weight shifts the rotor’s
principle axis of inertia parallel to the
rotational axis. (The principle axis of inertia
4

may be thought of as the axis about which the
rotor’s mass is evenly distributed). This type
of unbalance is referred to as static or force
unbalance.
Figure 3. Couple unbalance.
Consider next the cylinder shown in Figure 3.
This rotor effectively has two equal and
opposite unbalance masses. When placed on
knife-edges, the rotor does not attempt to turn,
and thus appears balanced. However, in
service it imparts centrifugal forces to support
bearings.
In this situation the rotor’s principle axis of
inertia intersects the rotational axis at the
rotor’s centre of gravity. This type of
unbalance is known as couple unbalance.
The rotor shown in Figure 4 also has heavy
spots that are radially opposite to each other,
but of unequal weight.
Figure 4. Quasi Static unbalance.
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
In this situation, the principle axis of inertia
intersects the rotational axis at a point other
than the center of gravity. This form of
unbalance is known as quasi-static unbalance.
It is effectively a particular combination of
static and couple elements of unbalance.
A more common combination of static and
couple elements of unbalance is shown in
Figure 4. This is known as dynamic
unbalance.
Figure 5. Dynamic unbalance.
Dynamic unbalance exists when the principle
axis of inertia is displaced from the rotational
axis so the axes are neither parallel nor do
they intersect.
2 Causes of Unbalance
Unbalance in a rotor occurs for a variety of
reasons. An understanding of how unbalance
may develop is useful when undertaking
balancing operations or when performing root
cause failure analysis.
2.1 Deposit Build Up
Unbalance often results from a build up of dirt
or dust on fan blades. A rotor’s balance
condition may change gradually, as it
generally takes time for build up to
accumulate. However, the onset of unbalance
may appear quite sudden. In many situations
5
 Balancing

the deposit build up may be uniform, resulting result of the accumulation of manufacturing
in little change to the rotor’s state of balance. tolerances.
Eventually, the build up becomes so thick and
heavy that pieces break away, resulting in a
sudden change in balance condition.

Often, this unbalance situation may be

corrected by simply cleaning the rotor.
Machine manufacturers usually facilitate this
activity through provision of an access panel
or similar mechanism, which makes it possible
for the rotor to be cleaned without major
disassembly.

2.2 Rotor Erosion

Rotor erosion is most commonly observed in
fans or pumps that handle corrosive gases or
fluids. It is likely that correction of unbalance
resulting from rotor erosion is be accompanied
by additional repair activity.
Turbulent flow associated with a damaged
rotor may be a source of additional vibration.
Therefore, it should be realised that balancing
the rotor may not be enough to restore the
machine to an acceptable level of vibration.
2.3 Rotor Distortion
Rotor distortion can occur for a variety of
reasons. Common causes are thermal effects
and unrelieved stresses induced in rotor
construction during manufacture (by welding,
bending, or other processes).
Including unbalance, rotor distortion may give
rise to other problems (i.e. turbulent flow) so
that dynamic balancing may not provide a
complete solution to the problem.
2.4 Eccentricity
Eccentricity is a common source of unbalance
and can arise for a variety of reasons.
Incorrect machining of a rotating part may
result in a component that has an off-center
bore hole. Eccentricity may also arise as a
Figure 6. Accumulation of tolerances.
Consider the example represented in Figure 6.
The diagram shows a pulley or gear mounted
on a motor shaft. Insertion of the key takes up
the clearance tolerance between bore and
shaft, which causes the weight of the pulley /
gear to shift off centre.
Eccentric pulleys and gears may also cause
other vibration problems. For example, an
eccentric pulley causes reaction forces to be
generated as the drive belt alternately tightens
then loosens. Balancing the pulley simply
make allowances for eccentricities in terms of
unbalance vibration. The reactive forces from
the belt, and any vibration generated by those
forces, is unaffected.
2.5 Keys and Keyways
Keys and keyways can be a source of
unbalance. If the shaft and rotor (to be
mounted on the shaft) are balanced without a
key, then the introduction of the key on
assembly results in an unbalance.
It is increasingly common for rotors to be half
key balanced. (ISO standard 8821 has
relevance here.)

© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved 6


2.6 Casting Defects
Invisible flaws in cast rotors may be a source
of unbalance. Blowholes or inclusion of sand
or other foreign matter in the casting lead to
uneven mass distribution and may be severe
enough to require that the component be
balanced.
2.7 Summary
It is inevitable that all rotors exhibit some
degree of unbalance. Even if technology
allowed a rotor to be perfectly balanced it
would probably be cost prohibitive. The key
issue is that a rotor is fit for purpose.
ISO standard 1940-1 (1986) outlines balance
quality requirements and the permissible level
of residual unbalance for various types of rigid
rotor.
3 Field Balancing
The following discussion assumes use of a
rigid rotor (a rotor that operates below 70% of
its critical speed). A flexible rotor (a rotor that
operates at 70% or above its critical speed)
requires multiple plane balancing, which is
outside the scope of this text.
In certain circumstances it is possible to
balance a rotor in place using vibration
measurement instruments. Many modern
vibration monitoring and analysis instruments
include on-board software to collect the
required data, perform necessary calculations,
and provide the required weight corrections.
These instruments can usually be relied upon
for good results; however, inaccuracies do
occur. It is useful in those circumstances to
have an understanding of balancing from first
principles so appropriate allowance can be
made for any particular influences that may be
present.
Most rotors that require balancing have been
balanced during manufacturing and possibly
following an overhaul. Nevertheless, field
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
balancing can enhance the balance condition
of a machine.
Rotors balanced in the field are balanced in
their own bearings, with all parts assembled.
Therefore, any unbalance caused by
accumulation of manufacturing tolerances is
accounted for. Often, the workshop machine
does not allow the rotor to run at its service
speed, and the workshop’s support structure
has a different stiffness to the rotors in service
mounting. Field balancing makes allowance
for influences such as thermal effects, rotor
distortion under load, environmental effects,
etc., and avoids the expense and time loss
associated with machine disassembly.
3.1 Preparations
Good preparation is the key to successful field
balancing. A thorough inspection of the
machine should be undertaken to ensure that
all bolts are tight, and that there are no
obvious cracks or other damage. The outside
and the inside of the rotor should be checked
for deposit build up. Any build up identified
should be cleaned before an attempt is made
to balance the rotor.
Safety is paramount in balancing. Very often
the field balancing process requires the
machine to be operated in a disassembled state
to allow access to the rotor. All care must be
taken to eliminate unnecessary risks.
The rotor should be checked to identify a safe
and secure method for making the necessary
weight adjustments. Loose weights constitute
a major safety hazard during the balance
process, and can also be highly destructive if
they break away after a machine is returned to
service. It is a sobering thought to realise that
a four-foot diameter fan operating at one
thousand RPM has a blade tip speed
approaching 150 mph!
If correction is to be achieved by adding
weights to the rotor then suitable trial weights
7

should be prepared in advance, and a speedy
method of supplying the final weights should
be established. Field balancing requires the
machine to be stopped and started several
times. For this reason, field balancing can
rarely be undertaken with the machine in
normal production. Much time in a balancing
exercise is effectively waiting time:
• Waiting for the machine to reach operating
speed
• Waiting (perhaps) for the machine to
achieve operating temperature
• Waiting to hit the start button as the
number of permissible starts per hour is
limited
Lack of adequate preparation can add greatly
to waiting time if the required materials and
equipment are not immediately on hand.
If balancing requires adjusting rotor weight by
removing material (typically drilling or
grinding) then warranty issues surrounding the
machine must be investigated. Drawings
should be studied to ensure rotor integrity and
safety is not compromised by the proposed
action.
Complete a thorough vibration analysis before
attempting to balance a rotor to confirm that:
• Unbalance is indeed the problem
• There are no additional vibrations from
other issues such as flow turbulence or belt
reactions that need to be corrected
3.2 Recognizing the Type of
Unbalance
It may be possible to identify the type of
unbalance from the nature of the vibration
data taken from the rotor’s support bearings.
The comments that follow assume a
symmetrical rotor mounted symmetrically
between bearings. Any asymmetry in the
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
structure should be allowed for when
considering the data.
• If the rotor were suffering from a
condition of static unbalance then
logically the vibration exhibits the same
amplitude and phase at each support
bearings.
• If the rotor is suffering from a condition of
couple unbalance then the vibration
amplitude at the two support bearings is
the same in terms of amplitude with a
phase difference of 180 degrees.
• A rotor having a quasi-static unbalance
problem shows different vibration
amplitudes with an accompanying phase
difference of 180 degrees.
• A rotor with a dynamic unbalance exhibits
no discernable relationship between the
vibration amplitude and phase readings at
the support bearings.
3.3 Field Balancing Requirements
In-place rotor balancing requires the
following:
• The ability to stop and start the rotor to
carry out necessary calibration runs.
• Access to the rotor to add and remove
weight at the required location.
• A safe and secure method of attaching
required weights.
Field balancing is based on two simple
assumptions that hold true for most machines:
• The machine exhibits a linear vibratory
response to unbalance. In other words, the
vibration generated by unbalance is
directly proportional to the amount of
unbalance that is present.
8

• The phase of the unbalance vibration shifts
through an angle equal to a shift in the
angular position of the heavy spot.
Vibration instruments used for balancing
should have the ability to tune in to the
unbalance component of vibration and
measure its phase. There does exist a vector
solution for single plane balancing that does
not require phase measurements (known as the
three circle method); however, most modern
vibration analyzers have phase capability so it
is not widely used. This discussion assumes
that phase measurements are available.
Field balancing is performed by first
observing the vibration characteristics of the
unbalanced rotor. The machine is then stopped
and arbitrary trial weights are added. The
effect of the trial weight(s) upon vibration data
is then observed. This data is used to calculate
the actual correction (location and amount)
required.
It is customary for vibration balance
calculations to be based on measurements of
vibration displacement (units are mils or
microns). In reality, there is no reason why
field balancing calculations are not based on
vibration velocity measurements provided
consistency is maintained throughout the
balancing operation. For the purposes of this
discussion, we will conform to the convention
and employ displacement measurements.
4 Single Plane Balancing
The simple disc rotor illustrated in Figure 7
could be crudely balanced on knife-edges as
discussed earlier. It is also possible to balance
the rotor in a similar fashion by observing its
behaviour when mounted in place, provided
that it is able to rotate freely on its own
bearings. A better level of balance is certainly
achieved by employing calculations based on
vibration measurements.
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
The rotor is run in its original condition, and
the amplitude and phase of vibration are
recorded from one of the support bearings. For
the purposes of this example, we shall assume
that the amplitude is 300 microns with a phase
of 300 degrees. This vibration can be
represented on the diagram in Figure 7 as the
vector O (the length of the line is scaled to
represent the amplitude, and it’s angular
position to represent the phase).
Figure 7. Vector calculation for single plane balance.
An arbitrary trial weight is added to the rotor.
In a reality, of course, we need to ensure that
the trial weight used is not too heavy to cause
damage, yet heavy enough to have a
measurable effect. For optimum results the
trial weight should produce approximately a
thirty percent change in vibration amplitude,
and/or a thirty degree change in the phase
angle. Most modern balancing software
includes a utility for estimating trial weight
size. The calculation employed is based upon
rotor weight and speed, and the software is
designed to ensure the centrifugal force
generated by the trial weight does not exceed
ten percent of the static load on the support
bearings.
When the trial weight is added to the rotor one
of three things could happen:
• Purely by chance the trial weight may be
placed on the heavy spot, making it
9

heavier. This results in a vibration
amplitude increase but does not change the
phase.
• Purely by chance the trail weight may be
placed immediately opposite the heavy
spot. If the trial weight is heavier than the
heavy spot the vibration phase changes by
180 degrees, and some new amplitude of
vibration results. If the trial weight is
lighter than the heavy spot the phase does
not change but the amplitude is reduced.
• The most likely occurrence is that the trial
weight is positioned somewhere between
these two positions, and the resulting
vibration displays a new amplitude and the
phase reading is unrelated to the original
data.
For the purposes of this example, assume the
new readings give amplitude of 250 microns
displaying a phase of 210 degrees. This
vibration results from the cumulative effect of
the original rotor unbalance, plus the effect of
the trial weight. This data can be plotted on
the diagram in Figure 7 as the vector O+T.
Joining the ends of the two vectors O and
O+T gives the vector T, which represents the
effect of the trial weight used.
In practice, we look for a correction weight
that is equal in magnitude but opposite to the
original unbalance O. Scaling the value of
vector T from the diagram, and using this
value in the formula below, enables the
correct weight to be calculated.
Correct Weight = Trial Weight x (O/T)
In this example, the value of vector T is 390
microns. Thus, the required balance weight is
the trial weight x (300/390), or 0.77 times the
trial weight.
The trial weight readout is in terms of
multiples of the trial weight. For this reason, it
does not usually matter what units of weight
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
are used. If weighing scales are not available
to support the balancing operation then it
makes little difference to the balancing
instrument. For example, if a washer is used
as a trial weight, a trial weight value of one
unit is entered in the balancing program. The
balancing system’s ultimate readout of the
required correction of 0.77 (weight units
irrelevant) simply means the required
correction is 0.77 washers.
The included angle β between vectors O and T
is measured from the diagram. This represents
the location of the required correction relative
to the location of the trial weight. For this
example, the included angle β is 40 degrees.
Therefore, the result of our balancing exercise
instructs us to replace the trial weight with a
weight 0.77 times as heavy, and position it 40
degrees away from the location of the trial
weight. The direction of movement for the
correct weight location (with shaft rotation or
against shaft rotation) depends upon the
method employed for measuring the vibration
phase. Modern software balancing systems
usually present this information clearly.
4.1 Software
The vector calculation outlined above
provides the basis for today’s software-driven
field balancing systems. Instruments store the
data from original and trial weight runs and
automatically compute the required correction.
5 Two-Plane Balancing
5.1 Motivation
The single plane solution outlined above holds
well for narrow rotors operating at less than
approximately 1000 RPM. Balancing needs to
be carried out using more than one correction
plane for wider rotors operating at higher
speeds. Some guidelines are offered:
• If the rotor operates above 70% of its first
critical speed, it should be treated as a
10

flexible rotor that requires multiple-plane
balancing (outside the scope of this
document).
• A rotor requires two-plane balancing if its
ratio of length to diameter is greater than
0.5 and it operate above 150 RPM.
• Long rotors (i.e. paper machine rolls) with
a length / diameter ratio greater than 2 and
a service speed above 100 RPM, require
two plane balancing.
5.2 Cross effect
Consider now the rotor in Figure 8. From the
sketch it appears to have a length to diameter
(L/D) ratio greater than 0.5. It is assumed that
two-plane balancing is required.
The rotor has two support bearings at A and
B, and two planes where weight correction
can be made (at #1 and #2).
Figure 8. Rotor with two correction planes.
Recognize that some vibration measured at
bearing A actually results from unbalance in
plane #2. Similarly, some vibration at bearing
B originates from plane #1. This is known as
cross effect.
5.3 Applying the Single Plane Method
The single plane solution can also be applied
to solve the two-plane problem presented in
Figure 8. The start point for the exercise is the
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
bearing that exhibits the highest level of
unbalance vibration. For the purpose of this
discussion it is assumed that this is bearing A.
With the pickup mounted at bearing A, a
single-plane balance can be performed to
make weight corrections in plane #1. After the
vibration is reduced at bearing A, an
investigation will probably show that vibration
at the second bearing (B) also changes. The
sensor is then repositioned at bearing B and
the single plane balance is repeated to make
weight corrections in plane #2. The exercise
should be repeated, alternating between the
two bearings until vibration at both bearings is
within limits.
This approach (treating a two-plane problem
effectively as two single planes) is still widely
used despite the advent of two-plane
balancing programs.
Some rotors can exhibit a very high level of
cross effect, such as the rotor represented in
Figure 9.
Figure 9. Rotor with pronounced cross effect.
A solution to this situation is to simply reverse
the correction planes: take vibration data from
bearing A, make weight corrections in plane
#2, and vice versa.
11

5.4 Two-Plane Balancing Method
Section 4 outlined the single plane vector
calculations on which single plane balancing
programs are based.
A vector solution is used to solve two-plane
balancing problems. Like the single plane
solution, it relies on unbalance vibration
amplitude and phase readings taken from the
bearings. Employing the terminology of
Figure 8, the sequence of data collection for a
two-plane balance is as follows:
• Measure the unbalance vibration
(amplitude and phase) at bearings A and B
and record the results.
• Add an arbitrary trial weight at plane #1.
• Measure the unbalance vibration
(amplitude and phase) at bearings A and B
and record the results.
• Remove the weight from plane #1 and add
an arbitrary trial weight to plane #2.
• Measure the unbalance vibration
(amplitude and phase) at bearings A and B
and record the results.
Similarly to single plane balancing, the data
gathered during the balance exercise is plotted
on a vector diagram and used as the basis for
calculations. The resulting diagram might look
like
Figure 10.
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
Figure 10. Vector diagram for two-plane balance
calculation.
The diagram and associated calculations are
more complex than those required for single
plane balancing. This is the basis of the
modern balancing program, which eliminates
the need for manual preparation of vector
diagrams.
The advantage of using the two-plane solution
by employing a software based balancing
program is that it requires fewer runs of the
rotor to collect the required data. This reduces
data collection time and eliminates the waiting
time.
6 Balancing Program
Enhancements
A common enhancement offered by many
modern balancing programs is flexibility in
the means of making weight corrections. The
user may opt to correct either by adding or
removing weight (this is simply an adjustment
of 180 degrees in the location angle). A few
programs offer the facility to balance using an
add-on trial weight but make the final
correction using weight removal.
A few modern dynamic balancing systems
allow the option of leaving the trial weight(s)
in place by automatically adjusting the readout
12
 Balancing

for size and location of the final correction
weight.
Sometimes, the balancing process may spread
over a considerable time period due to delays
(as outlined in section 3.1). Some modern
systems store intermediate trial run data,
which allows the balancing instrument to be
used for other purposes until the balancing job
is resumed.
is added to each of the rotor’s correction
planes. Sometimes it is necessary or desirable
to combine these various weights into a single,
final correction weight for the same effect. A
simple vector calculation is all that is required,
and many balancing programs include a utility
to facilitate this. A graphical example of the
vector calculation is given below.

6.1 Changing the Radius

It may be convenient to add the trial weights
used during the balance exercise at a different
radius than where the final, permanent
correction weights are to be fitted.

For example, when appropriate plasticine or

modelling wax may be used to add weight
during the balancing exercise. When an
adequate level of balance is achieved then a
permanent weight may be fashioned from
some other material. Wax or plasticine needs Figure 11. Rotor with three correction weights.
to be attached in a location on the rotor so that
it cannot fly off and become a hazard when Figure 11 represents a rotor with three balance
the rotor runs up to speed. Obviously, the weights. The units of weight are irrelevant to
permanent weights will be attached with a this discussion, provided consistency is
different method, and it is very possible that maintained. In practice the angular locations
the final weights are at a different radius to the are measured relative to a keyway or other
trial weights. suitable reference point on the shaft.

Earlier we explained that unbalance is the

product of the weight and radius at which it
acts. This means that if the radius is doubled
then the weight must be halved, and so on.

Although this is a very simple calculation

many balancing programs include a utility to
compensate for weight radius changes.

6.2 Combining Balance Weights

Often it takes more than one attempt to reduce
unbalance vibration to an acceptable level.
The improvement achieved by the first
attempt may not be enough to bring vibration
within tolerance. Additional trim balancing
runs mean that more than one balance weight
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved 13
 Balancing

First, a vector A is plotted, which represents

weight A. The length of the line is scaled to
represent the weight amount, and the direction
represents angular location. The line ends with
an arrowhead. Starting at the end of vector A,
vector B is plotted to the same scale. In the
same manner, starting at the end of vector B,
vector C is plotted. The resulting diagram is
shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12. Vector diagram for combining weights. Figure 13. Eight bladed fan requiring balance
correction between blades.
A line is then drawn to join the original start
For this example, assume that a correction of
point with the end of vector C. This line,
ten weight units needs to be made at an
shown here in red, represents the vector sum
angular location of 60 degrees. The blades are
of A+B+C, and therefore represents the
at 45 degree intervals, which means there is no
weight with the same effect as A+B+C. The
possibility of attaching the weight at the
direction of this vector indicates the angular
required angle. Therefore it is necessary to
position on the rotor at which this correction
add to the adjacent blades a combination of
should be made.
weights that have the same cumulative effect.
Scaling from the diagram indicates that the
Most balance programs include a simple
three weights A, B, and C can be replaced
utility for performing the required calculation.
with a single weight of 9.7 units, located at
Based on the example given above, the
104 degrees relative to the reference point.
following vector calculation is the basis for
6.3 Dividing Balance Weights these utilities.

For safety reasons, it is often impractical to

attach a correction weight at the location
suggested by a balancing program. This
commonly occurs when attempting to balance
fan impellers, as balancing program often
suggest that weight correction needs to be
made at a position between adjacent fan
blades. By way of example consider the eight-
bladed rotor represented in Figure 13.

© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved 14


Figure 14. Vector calculation for dividing balance
weights.
• From point O, lines OB and OC are
drawn, which represent the location of
blades B and C.
• A line OW is drawn (scaled to represent
the required 10 units of weight) in a
direction that indicates the required
angular position.
• From point W, a line is drawn parallel to
line OC, which intersects line OB at point
W1.
• From point W, a line is drawn parallel to
line OB, which intersects line OC at point
W2.
• Scaling the length from O to W1 gives the
weight that must be added to blade B (in
this example 7 weight units are needed).
• Scaling the length from O to W2 gives the
weight that must be added to blade C (in
this example 3.7 weight units are needed).
7 Tolerances
International standard ISO 1940 specifies
balance quality requirements for rigid rotors.
However, it is difficult to apply this standard
to field balancing as it is primarily directed at
balancing machine operation in a workshop or
rotor-production environment.
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
More typically, field balancing utilizes general
vibration severity standards such as ISO 2372
or other vibration tolerances as may be
dictated by local usage and experience.
8 Tips for Improving Balancing
Accuracy
Vibration sensors used in data collection
should be positioned for maximum sensitivity.
In other words, they should be positioned in
the axis of measurement where the amplitude
of unbalance vibration is greatest. If the signal
is strongest in the vertical direction then
position sensors accordingly. Sensors do not
need to be in the horizontal plane for
balancing.
When running the rotor up to speed, time
should be allotted for rotor stabilization before
taking vibration readings. Some rotors may
take considerable time to reach normal
running speed and it is important that all trial
run readings are taken at the same speed.
Other operating conditions that take time to
achieve (such as temperature) should also be
realized.
Obviously, weighing scales used to accurately
measure weight corrections are advantageous
over estimating. If weight correction is to be
achieved by welding weights to the rotor, the
weight of the weld should be allowed for,
particularly if a fine level of balance is being
sought. To assess the weight of weld:
• Obtain a sample of the material and weigh
it.
• Have the welder run a few inches of weld
along it, and weigh again.
• Calculate the weight of weld per inch run
from the difference between the two
results.
15

• Take this into account when preparing
correction weights.
Experience shows, however, that errors in
weight angular positioning are more
detrimental to the outcome of a balancing than
errors in the magnitude of weights. Whatever
balance process is employed, the system
specifies that the correction weight must be
positioned exactly at the angular location
specified. In reality this is impractical, and the
required weight often spans several degrees of
arc. Minimising these angular errors by using
angle-point meters or some other mechanism
for accurate assessment improves the
effectiveness of balancing exercises.
A common source of angular errors often
arises when a single channel measurement
instrument is used for the purposes of two-
plane balancing. Unless an extra vibration
sensor and switchbox is employed, it is
necessary to repeatedly move the instrument’s
single sensor between the two measurement
locations. Frequently, small angular errors
occur in repositioning sensors for subsequent
runs. These small errors can be equally
detrimental to the outcome. The ideal situation
requires use of two sensors mounted to the
machine for the duration of the exercise.
9 Conclusion
This document has demonstrated that field
balancing is not an art, but rather a practical
exercise based on some basic assumptions and
simple calculations. Today, vibration
analyzers offer on-board dynamic balancing
software, which greatly simplifies the process
of gathering required data and performing
calculations.
Occasionally however, a balancing exercise
does not always go as planed. Underlying
assumptions may not hold true (i.e. the rotor’s
vibratory response may be non linear) or some
other influence (such as a high level of cross
effect) may affect the result. In these
© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved
Balancing
circumstances it is sometimes useful to go
back to first principles, to gain an
understanding of what is going on, and
compensate accordingly.
Field balancing can be a very rewarding
experience for the vibration analyst running a
predictive maintenance program, as it offers
the opportunity to see the processes of fault
detection, diagnosis, and correction. Too often
the vibration analyst provides early warning of
problems and fault diagnosis, but fault
correction becomes someone else’s
responsibility. However, in this situation he
or she is able to employ skills and equipment
to correct the fault and witness machine
improvement.
Vibration-based data collection instruments
are the basis of many predictive maintenance
(PdM) programs. Many instruments are
capable of making required measurements for
dynamic balancing. Some instrument
manufacturers provide balancing software for
these instruments (sometimes at an additional
cost). Others, such as the SKF Microlog
instruments, are supplied standard with on-
board balancing software.
The cost of acquiring the simple hardware
accessories necessary is usually relatively
small in comparison to the basic cost of the
instrument itself. The modest outlay can
represent a highly cost effective investment.
• Impact on maintenance costs. Typically
bearings endure the brunt of unbalance
forces. Balancing, therefore, has a direct
effect on bearing life. Reducing the
unbalance forces also reduces structural
stress.
• Impact on product quality (where product
quality is dependent on low machinery
vibration levels).
• Impact on productivity. Plant availability
is improved by eliminating the need for
16
 Balancing

disassembly and associated delays References

required for workshop balancing. The
reduction in forces also reduces International Organization for Standardization
maintenance downtime. (ISO) no. 1925: Mechanical vibration -
Balancing - Vocabulary (1990).
• Impact on operating costs. Frequently
balancing reduces a machine’s energy International Organization for Standardization
consumption. (ISO) no. 8821: Mechanical vibration-
balancing-shaft and fitment key conventions,
• Impact on health, safety, and environment (1989).
issues. Balancing frequently results in
lower noise levels, which reduces operator International Organization for Standardization
irritation and fatigue. The reduction in (ISO) no. 1940-1: Balance quality of rigid
airborne noise may have environmental rotors (1986).
impacts beyond the boundary of the plant
itself. Safety is also improved as risks
associated with machine failure are
minimized.

© 2004 SKF Reliability Systems All Rights Reserved 17