FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

MMB342 Theory of Machines

Date: 20/04/2023
Name: Adeela Zehra Zaidi
ID number: 202006206

Lab 2- Balancing of Rotating Masses

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Table of Contents

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Aim..........................................................................................................................................................3
Theory.....................................................................................................................................................4
Procedure.................................................................................................................................................4
Results.........................................................................................................................................................5
Discussion...................................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................5
References...................................................................................................................................................6

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 Introduction

Aim
The aim of the experiment was to investigate the unbalance in rotary masses and to practically
prove conditions for dynamic and static balance of these systems.

Apparatus
For experiment 1A, the equipment used was the Static and Dynamic Balancing Apparatus
manufactured by TQ Education and Training Lt as shown in figure 1 below. The equipment
contains an electric motor that powers a shaft using pulley or belt which can have 4 blocks
attached to it. Ball bearings support the shaft at the ends and it is intentionally made to be
unbalanced by clamping the boxes at different positions. Discs can also be fitted onto the
rectangular blocks to balance it out.

Experiment 1B used the equipment shown in figure 2 below, the Balancing Apparatus
manufactured by Norwood Instruments Ltd from the UK. A shaft is mounted (using bearings) to
a metal frame that is suspended by two vertical helical springs. The imbalance level can be
observed by looking at the shaking of the frame. An electric motor powers the shaft which has 4
discs attached to it. Balancing masses must be placed in a symmetrical way around the disc on
the threaded mass holder.

Figure 1 showing apparatus for Lab 1A

Figure 2 showing Lab 1B apparatus

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Theory
Balancing of rotary masses is altering the machinery in order to reduce or completely eliminate
the unbalance of forces that occurs in the machines due to inertias forces of the moving masses.
As the particle of mass in the machines rotates, it experiences a centripetal force which gets
opposed by a radial force that is the centrifugal force which remains constant but changes
direction with rotation of the mass (Gowda, 2013). There are two types of balancing; static and
dynamic balancing. Static balancing is when forces balance due to the action of gravity. When a
body has its centre of gravity on the rotation axis, it is said to be in static balance. Dynamic
balance happens due to inertia forces. A body is in dynamic balance when its resultant moments
or couples are equal to zero (BONGALE).

The resultant force and resultant moment can be calculated using the formulas:
ƩF = Ʃmiriω2
ƩM = Ʃmiriliω2 (Uziak & Mokenti, 2005)

Procedure
Lab1A
Experiment 1: the experiment was done to check conditions of static balance of a 2 mass system.
The safety dome, the shaft drive belt and the rectangular blocks were removed. Two blocks were
then set up at relative angular displacement of 180 degrees at anywhere along the shaft. It was
then observed to see if the shaft remained in any angular position to show that it was statically
balanced. The apparatus was then connected to a 12 volts supply and the safety dome shaft drive
belt was placed back onto the system. The motor was run to observe the imbalance of the system.
Lastly, the position of the blocks along the shaft was changed and it was then observed if the
system was statically or dynamically balanced.

Experiment 2: the experiment was done to demonstrate static and dynamic balance of a 4 mass
system. The perspex dome was removed and the four blocks were set up as shown below in
figure 3. The shaft was then tested for static balance. The drive belt and the dome were placed
back onto the system and the motor was run showing that the shaft was dynamically balanced
through a lack of vibration.

Figure 3 showing the set up of the 4 blocks

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Experiment 3: the experiment was done to statically and dynamically balance a 4 mass system.
Shaft drive belt and perspex dome were removed. Extension pulley was unclipped and inserted
in the pulley end of the shaft driven by the motor. A weight bucket is looped around the
extension pulley ensuring that the movement will not be obstructed as the bucket moves. A
rectangular block with the eccentric disc is clamped to the shaft at 0 degrees with the label ‘block
1’. Steel balls are then added gradually to the weight bucket until it moves 90 degrees and the
number of balls required for this is recorded. An eccentric disc is fixed to each block and the
procedure is repeated.

Lab1B
Experiment 1: the experiment was done to check condition for static balance of a 2 mass system.
The shaft drive belt was removed and two masses were set up at the inner discs with a relative
angular displacement of 180 degrees. It was then observed if the shaft stayed in any angular
position rendering it statically balanced. The shaft drive belt is then replaced and the motor is run
showing the imbalance of the system. The position of one of the masses along the shaft is then
changed to the outer discs and it is then observed if the system is statically or dynamically
balanced.

Experiment 2: the experiment is done to demonstrate the dynamic and static balance of a simple
4 mass system. A simple 4 mass system that is statically and dynamically balanced is set up and
the shaft is tested for static balance. The motor is run and the lack of vibration is observed
showing that the system is dynamically balanced.

Results
The experimental value results were not obtained as the experiment was not completed.

Discussion

Lab 1B
Experiment 1: the system had an imbalance as it shook when the masses were placed on the
inner discs as the motor powered up the system hence it was statically balanced. The system
experienced even more of an imbalance when one mass was moved from inner disc to outer disc
while the other remained at the inner disc showing it was dynamically balanced.
Experiment 2: the system experienced slight shaking or imbalance when the motor ran at high
velocity and there was little to no shaking or imbalance at a lower velocity.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the experiment was a difficult one to understand and carry out. There was a lot of
confusion in carrying out the experiment that no experimental values were obtained. However,
the observational part of the experiment was carried out and observations were made.

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References

BONGALE, V. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://ramadossegsp.weebly.com/uploads/9/3/7/8/93786092/unit4-vvb.pdf

Gowda, H. N. (2013, November 27). Retrieved from slideshare:

https://www.slideshare.net/hareeshang/unit-4-balancing-of-rotating-masses

Uziak, J., & Mokenti, M. P. (2005). Mechanics of Machines Laboratory manual .