Balancing single/dual plane
Single / Dual PLANE Balancing: User's Manual
Introduction
A rotor is a shaft rotating around its axis during service. In general such a rotor consists of a shaft with one or more discs fitted to the axle. Such discs can be fly wheels, grinding wheels, turbine wheels, etc. The shaft is usually running in bearings allowing the rotation of the body.
Depending on their rotational speed, two basic categories can be defined for rotors: rotors with rigid shaft, and rotors with flexible shaft. If the operating speed remains below half of the first critical bending speed, the shaft does not deflect. At such operational speeds and due to the non circular cross section of the rotor, the axis of rotation and the inertial axis does not coincide (e.g. the mass is not evenly dispatched in a section of the shaft). This may results in a tumbling movement of the structure, which amplitude depends on the bearing clearance and stiffness. In any case, the bearings are subjected to unnecessary or even non allowed loads.
At higher speeds the shaft will deflect, due to the non symmetric circular cross section. Depending on the position of the discs on the shaft they can even be inclined and thus increase the oil whirl.
An increase of the running quality is achieved through reduction of the asymmetry by means of addition or reduction of masses. Thus the inertial axis is moved to approache the rotational axis. Rigid rotors can be sufficiently balanced in one or two planes. In practice depending of the number of transducers used and the number of planes four cases can be considered.
Case |
Number | ||
| Balancing planes | Vibration Transducers | Tach sensors | |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Case 1 | The simplest case is to use one vibration transducer fitted for example to the rotor housing near one bearing in radial direction. | |
| Case 2 | For two planes fit one transducer near each bearing in radial direction, as above. | |
| Case 3 | To take into account the different stiffness of bearings in horizontal and vertical direction, two transducers can be used. The resultant of these two measurements is calculated and then used for balancing. To do this, transducer 1 has to be mounted radial in 45° to the horizontal, and transducer 2 in 135°. | |
| Case 4 | The same applies for two planes with 4 transducers. | |
Angular adjustments
To identify the angular position of the balancing masses, the tach point and the accelerometer direction must be taken into account.
Angular adjustments
Tach point
The tach trigger point should have the same angular position as position 1. If this is not possible, the angular difference can be corrected in the rotor geometry setup as "Offset".
Accelerometer
The measurement direction of the accelerometer must be referred to the tach sensor position. This can be done by the "Angular correction" in the analyzer setup. In our example in Sketch 1, the angular correction is 90° and the offset is -15 °.
Tip
If the angular position of the tach signal is unknown, place a test mass to whatever position and define it as position 1 (0°) in the rotor geometry table. Now all angles are relative, referred to the position of the respective test mass position.
Basic balancing procedure
The execution of this balancing task can easily be achieved with your OROS 3-SERIES Analyzer (and its NVGate software running in the background) and the Balancing module. This module can be used for balancing in the lab, as well as on site. The steps in the balancing procedure are shown in the following Figures, with the corresponding explanations.
Balancing procedure
1 Initial Setting:
- Load or create a project
- Choose number of planes and Transducers (Case 1 – 4)
- Setup OROS 3-SERIES analyzer
- Introduce the rotor data
- Setup Monitor
2 Initial run
- Choose and fix a test weight
3 Test runs 1 or 2
- Calculation of the balancing weights
- Balancing prognosis
4 Balancing run
- Report
- Physical
Physical Background
The initial run analyses the behavior of the rotor due to its initial unbalance.
During the test run, the applied test masses modify the position of the unbalance. This yields the sensitivity of the rotor. Thus with the knowledge of the reaction of the rotor to added masses, suitable masses can be calculated to compensate the initial unbalance.
For balancing in one plane, just one test mass and one test run is necessary. It is important that the angular position of the initial unbalance is changed significantly by the test mass. Take this into account, when choosing test weight and position.
When balancing in two planes, two test runs are necessary. For each run only one test mass is necessary positioned in one of both planes respectively. Again in both test runs the position of the unbalance must be changed by the test masses.
Assumptions
We assume a linear system. This means the rotor has to run at one stable speed during all measurement runs. The system has to be in a stationary state. If any alterations of the vibration behavior occur during the balancing procedure no meaningful balancing calculations can be obtained. Only the test weight should modify the unbalance of the rotor, but the rest of the system has to stay unchanged.
Example
Imagine a rotating machine to be balanced when standing untightened on the floor. After the test mass is mounted the increased unbalance causes the machine to move. Holding or fixing the machine during the test run will cause wrong balancing results. To overcome this chose lower test mass or position to reduce the unbalance. If this doesn't work you could fix the machine during the complete balancing procedure. After this basic balancing execute a second complete balancing procedure with the machine unfixed (in normal operating conditions).
General advice
If the test weight does not sufficiently modify the angular position of the unbalance, the rotor sensitivity can not be determined precisely, and balancing calculation is not meaningful. If the program detects this case, it will give a corresponding error message.
If no improvement is achieved during a complete balancing run, the angular position of the initial unbalance and the unbalance obtained after positioning of the test mass should be checked. If the difference is less than 10° the test run must be repeated with a different position of the test mass.
Notice: Before repeating the test run with weights in new positions, the balancing weights should be removed. After the test run balancing weights should be calculated again. Now the balancing run can be repeated.
Getting started
To start the application, click on the Balancing-Solution-Icon.
Balancing Solution
The OROS Single / Dual Balancing module appears with the following start screen
Start Balancing Solution of rigid rotors
Choose your preferred language start the Software by clicking
- "Online" to start measurements.
- "Offline" to run the software offline.
When starting online the system will require starting NVGate displaying the dialog window below.
NVGate start request
Start NVGate by click on the NVGate Icon below.
NVGate icon
If the hardware or dongle is not connected, NVGate will detect this error and quit it with the following message.
Ensure either the hardware or the dongle is connected
Then, select the running mode.
Select running mode
- To proceed to a measurement, select: "Connection to hardware"
- For Offline access the "Office mode" can also be used.
- When the software starts the following NVGate window is displayed. Minimize NVGate.
- NVGate - Start'n Go
It is recommended to start with a default project. It is recommended to set your special user name to "Restricted user" to prevent any further changes of your settings. Then, the NVGate window can be minimized.
Settings
Settings follow the same rules whether it is for one plane balancing (single) or two planes balancing (dual). The description below is given for the two planes balancing. For one plane, the description would be the same but with one plane.
Project management
To create a new project click on New or load one of the existing projects after selection OK.
Load an existing Project
| (1)Select the Hard disc partition (for example C) (2) Select the sub directory (for example OROS Balancing Solution) (3) Select the Project in the Project List (for example Rotor 3) |
(4) Selected Project Rotor 3 (5) Click to start the program with the selected project |
Load a Project
Create a new Project
Step 1
(1) Click to open the explorer, (2) In the Explorer, (3) click to open a new sub directory
(4) Rename the new sub directory to "Machine" and double click to change into the new subdirectory
Project generation
Step 2:
(1) Sub directory Machine (2) Enter project name Engine A (3) Click to save the new project
Project generation
Step 3: Load the new Project
(1)Change the directory to "Machine" sub directory
(2) Project List Engine A
(3) Selection Engine A
(4) Click to start the program with the new Project Engine A
Project generation
Activation of measurement channels
Depending on the number of balancing planes and sensors used, one, two or four channels are needed.
Choose what you need for your measurement, by clicking on A, B, C or D or use the following shortcuts: [Alt] + [A], [Alt] + [B], [Alt] + [C], [Alt] + [D]
The corresponding channels are activated. This is shown by a thick on the corresponding BNC connector in the Figure.
Connect your transducers to the corresponding In-puts on your 3-SERIES analyzer.
The Tach signal must be connected to Ext. sync. 1
Example
(1) Click on C for two Planes and two Sensors
(2) Channel 1 is activated thick
(3) Ext. sync. 1 is activated File:Balancing 18.png
(4) To continue click on OK
Or use [Alt] + [O]
Balancing Planes Setup – 2 Planes and 2 Sensors
Channels settings
Activated channels are highlighted in green. Channels 1 and 2 and Ext. sync.1 are activated.
Adjustment of channels
Set the input range and the coupling for your transducer, as well as his unit and sensitivity.
To choose your transducer from the transducer data base, click on Transducer.
Notice: Your tach signal must have one pulse per revolution.
- Set the range, coupling and slope for this tach signal.
- Choose the speed range in which you want to observe your rotor.
- Input the balancing speed.
- Set the number of averages for your measurements.
- An eventually needed phase correction can be introduced here. See chapter 1 Introduction.
- Choose an appropriate sampling frequency.
- All adjustments can be saved and reloaded
Saving the channel and measuring setup
All setup settings can be saved and reloaded.
Notice: The balancing module always starts with the analyzer settings that have been used last.
You do not need to do all adjustments for a new project. Just load the setup of an existing project.
Tip:
If you want to make sure, you always start with the same settings, create a reference project with all settings adjusted properly. Each part of the project is saved with a specific extension.
- Reference Project = *.WSR
- Analyzer settings = *.STP
- Monitor = *.DGW
- Rotor geometry = *.ROT (created when saving *.STP)
In the file menu, "File / Save Project" can be used to save the project.
For a new Project with these Settings: Load Reference Project.
This is now the last project that has been used
- Create New Project: It has the settings of the Reference Project.
- Click "Transducer" to open the data base.
Or
- Click "Continue" to proceed to the next step.
Transducer database
Transducer data base
For easier and faster adjustment use the transducer data base.
Input your transducer in the list shown by clicking the corresponding fields and adjust an input transducer label, unit and sensitivity.
To select a transducer click in the corresponding line, and choose the analyzer channel, where this transducer is connected to. Click Set.
The transducer data base can be saved and reloaded.
It is also possible to create several data bases for example for different users and their transducers.
Rotor geometry and balancing quality
Example
| (1) No. of mass positions Enter 12 for both planes (2) Radius 100 [mm] (3) Offset 15 [Deg] (4) Click on Apply to display the circle (5) Unit of Unbalance [g mm] or [oz in] |
(6) Rotor mass (7) Speed RPM (8) Quality class (9) Residual unbalance [g mm] (10) Residual unbalance [oz in] |
Rotor geometry and balancing quality
Measurement monitor settings
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Notice: The balancing module always starts with the monitor that has been used last.
All Settings can be modified:
- Set the number of graphs, the type and the order in which you want to see them.
Graphs with frames can be treated like windows in Windows®.
- Chose the scaling of the axis or use auto scaling (Y-axis only).
- Colors and graph names can be arranged.
- Click "Set" to create your new monitor.
- Use "Save" at the bottom to save your new monitor.
If you want to use several monitors with different layouts put existing monitors into the monitor table (double click a field in the table).
You can save and reload this selection of layouts.
Continue with "Close"
One plane balancing
Measurements, display, storage
Execute the following balancing procedure:
- Initial run
- Test run
- Calculation of balancing weights
- Balancing run
All runs can be saved, reloaded and overwritten.
If you use accelerometers for your measurement the signal can be integrated to show vibration velocity.
The analyzer is now ready for measurement.
To start the analyzer click (1) or [F2] and the Measurement is displayed.
To open and changing any settings click
(a) Analyzer setup
(b) Rotor geometry and balancing quality
(c) Display setup
(d) Balancing calculation
- Measurement display - start analyzer
Initial run
Click "Initial run"
Click "Average" (2), when rotor is at stable speed (Stationary state).
The figure below shows the result of the initial run.
Initial run - start average
Explanation of the graphs:
Polar graph: The blue point represents the magnitude and phase of the first order of averaged order spectrum (10 averages). Click "Initial run" (1) and save the initial measurement (2).
Initial run
After saving the initial run the results are displayed as shown in the figure below.
Results of Initial run
On this figure, the blue circle, representing the allowed residual unbalance, shows directly after the initial run if the machine meets the required balancing quality or not.
Notice: At this point the tables only show amplitude and phase. The unbalance in [g mm] or in [oz in] can only be calculated after the rotor sensitivity is measured in the test run. Click OK to proceed to the test run.
Test run
Preparation
- Fix a test mass to the rotor.
- Mass, value and position must be set in the rotor geometry table.
To do this, click "Rotor" in the Measurement monitor to open the rotor geometry window.
Your settings are shown by a red point in the polar graph.
There are three methods:
- Remove test masses after test for example bolts etc.
- Keep test masses after the test (for example for welding or drilling etc…)
- Displace two masses per plane for machines with slidable balancing weights.
The figure below shows an example where test mass is to be removed. The test mass of 4.2 grams is set at position 4 (105°; radius 100 mm).
The settings are saved automatically when closing the window. To use these settings in another project, click on export (1) and save it in the sub directory of the other project. Proper settings can be loaded from another project (2).
Test mass positioning for one plane
Click "Test run" (1) and save the measurement (2).
After every test run, don't forget to remove the test mass (3).
Test run
Calculating balancing weights
After saving the test run the result is shown.
The amplitude scaling of the polar graph is now displayed in unbalance unit [g mm] (blue axis).
The blue circle now represents the allowed residual unbalance in [g mm].
The result table now shows the results for initial run and test run.
Proceed to the calculation of the balancing weights now.
Example
(1) Click to save the test run result
(2) Click to start the calculation
Test run results
Click "Calculate" to determine mass and position of the balancing weights.
The weights and positions for zero unbalance appear in the table and are shown by red points.
Blue point initial unbalance
Orange point unbalance with test weight
Proceed to the balancing prognosis to study the effect of available balancing weights.
Example
| (1) Select Init run + Test run (2) Click OK to start the calculation (3) Result - Unbalance and Phase |
(4) Result - proposal mass and position (5) Proposal position |
Calculation of balancing weights
Balancing prognosis
The effect of balancing weights can now be predicted by the mathematical calculations of the balancing prognosis.
Set mass and position of the mass you want to use in column "Mounted Mass".
Click on "Prognosis" to get the calculation of the expected residual unbalance (green point in polar graph).
Only a mass of 4.2 gram was available and set to position 7. The prognosis shows that the residual unbalance (blue point in polar graph) moves to the green point inside the blue circle.
| Example (1) Proposal mass and position (2) Click to enter the mass 4,2 gram (3) Initial Unbalance 
 (inside of the blue circle) |
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These points only appear if they are marked "active" in the result window. Then, save the balancing result. At any stage saved results can be reloaded using the "Load Measurement" buttons. They also can be overwritten.
Example
(1) Click to save the balancing run result
(2) Click to start the calculation
Balancing run results
Balancing report
Balancing results overview
The overview in the following figure now shows the chronological mass predictions and settings as well as the final result ("End").
Also the prehistory (masses present at start of actual balancing) can be seen in column "Start".
This overview can be exported into a Microsoft® Editor file (*.txt) by clicking "Report".
Balancing Report
Scroll if anything is not visible on the screen.
Two planes balancing
Measurements, display, storage
(1) Click "Start" start or F2. Measurement is displayed.
Measurement Display
(1) Click "Average" when rotor is at stable speed (Stationary state).
Measurement Display
Initial run
The figure shows the result of the initial run.
(1) Click "Initial run"
(2) Save your initial measurement
Initial run
Results of Initial run
Test run 1 and 2
Preparation
- Fix a test mass to the rotor.
- Mass, value and position must be set in the rotor geometry table.
To do this click "Rotor" in the Measurement monitor (b) to open the rotor geometry window.
Your settings are shown by a red point in the polar graph.
There are three methods:
- Remove test masses after test: for example bolts etc.
- Keep test masses after test for example welding or drilling etc.
- Displace two masses per plane for machines with slidable balancing weights.
It shows an example where test mass is to be removed. The test mass of 4.2 grams is set at position 3 (2) (75°; radius 100 mm) (1)
The settings are saved automatically when closing the window.
Test mass positioning for two planes - Test run 1 - Test mass 1 - Plane 1
Test run 1
Click "Test run" (1) and save the measurement (2).
After every test run, don't forget to remove the test mass (3).
Remove Test mass 1
Test run 1 results
Preparation
- Fix a test mass to the rotor.
- Mass, value and position must be set in the rotor geometry table.
To do this click "Rotor" in the Measurement monitor to open the rotor geometry window.
Your settings are shown by a red point in the polar graph.
There are three methods:
- Remove test masses after test for example bolts etc.
- Keep test masses after test for example welding or drilling etc.
- Displace two masses per plane for machines with slidable balancing weights.
An example is shown where test mass is to be removed. The test mass of 4.2 grams (3) is set at position 4 (105°; radius 100 mm) (4)
The settings are saved automatically when closing the window.
Test mass 2 positioning for two planes - Test run 2 - Test mass 2 - Plane 2
Set the Run number to 2 (1) and save the measurement (2).
Test run 2
Remove Test mass 2
Example
(1) Results for Plane 1 and Plane 2
(2) Save the results
(3) Click to start the calculation
Test run 2 - Result, Save and Start Calculate
Calculating balancing weights
Example
(1) Select Init run + Test run
(2) Click OK to start the calculation
Test run 2
After saving the test run the result is shown.
The amplitude scaling of the polar graph is now displayed in unbalance unit [g mm] (blue axis).
The blue circle now represents the allowed residual unbalance in [g mm].
The result table now shows the results for initial run and test run.
Proceed to the calculation of the balancing weights now.
Example
(1) Result - Unbalance 1 and Phase 1
(2) Result - Unbalance 2 and Phase 2
(3) Unbalance and Phase Plane 1
(4) Proposal mass and position Plane 1
(5) Unbalance and Phase Plane 2
(6) Proposal mass and position Plane 2
Test run results
Balancing prognosis
The effect of balancing weights can now be predicted by the mathematical calculations of the balancing prognosis.
Set mass and position of the mass you want to use in column "Mounted Mass" (1), (2)
Click on "Prognosis" to get the calculation of the expected residual unbalance (green point in polar graph).
Only a mass of 4.2 grams was available, and set to position 7. The prognosis shows that the residual unbalance (blue point in polar graph) moves to the green point inside the blue circle.
Prognosis
Execution:
- Click "balancing run" (bottom left)
- Click "Start" start or F2. Measurement is displayed.
- Click "Average", when rotor is at stable speed .(Stationary state)
The figure below shows the result of the balancing run.
Explanation of graphs:
Polar graph;
Blue point Initial run
Orange point Test run 1
Olive point Test run 2
Green point Balancing run
(These points only appear if they are marked "active" in the result window)
Save the balancing result.
At any stage saved results can be reloaded using the "Load Measurement" buttons.
Balancing run
To visualize hidden points deactivate the respective covering points. (click the respective field in column "Active" of the tables!)
The dark green point in plane 1 and the orange point in plane 2 were deactivated and the black points are visible again.
- Click "Overview" to see a summary of the whole balancing job.
- Click "Report" in to export this table into a Microsoft® Editor file (*.txt).
Balancing run results
Balancing report
Balancing results overview
The overview now shows the chronological mass predictions and settings as well as the final result ("End").
Also the prehistory (masses present at start of actual balancing) can be seen in column "Start".
Scroll if anything is not visible on the screen.
This overview can be exported into a Microsoft® Editor file (*.txt) as a Balancing Report.
Balancing Report
Unbalance before 
and after 
balancing
Vibration measurement before 
and after 
balancing