Dynamics of Machinery-15ME52

MODULE-2
Balancing of Rotating Masses
CONTENTS

2.1Balancing of Rotating Masses

2.2 Static and dynamic balancing.
2.3Balancing of single rotating mass by balancing masses in same plane and in different
planes.
2.4 Balancing of several rotating masses by balancing masses in same plane and in
different planes.

OBJECTIVES
 To study Importance of Balancing of rotating masses.
 To solve Various problems on Balancing of rotating masses.

2.1Balancing of Rotating Masses

INTRODUCTION:

When man invented the wheel, he very quickly learnt that if it wasn‘t completely
round and if it didn‘t rotate evenly about it‘s central axis, then he had a problem!
What the problem he had?
The wheel would vibrate causing damage to itself and it‘s support mechanism and
in severe cases, is unusable.
A method had to be found to minimize the problem. The mass had to be evenly
distributed about the rotating centerline so that the resultant vibration was at a minimum.

UNBALANCE:
The condition which exists in a rotor when vibratory force or motion is imparted
to its bearings as a result of centrifugal forces is called unbalance or the uneven
distribution of mass about a rotor‘s rotating centerline.

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Rotating centerline:

The rotating centerline being defined as the axis about which the rotor would
rotate if not constrained by its bearings. (Also called the Principle Inertia Axis or PIA).
Geometric centerline:
The geometric centerline being the physical centerline of the rotor.When the two
centerlines are coincident, then the rotor will be in a state of balance. When they are
apart, the rotor will be unbalanced.
Different types of unbalance can be defined by the relationship between the two
centerlines. These include:
Static Unbalance – where the PIA is displaced parallel to the geometric centerline.
(Shown above)
Couple Unbalance – where the PIA intersects the geometric centerline at the center of
gravity. (CG)
Dynamic Unbalance – where the PIA and the geometric centerline do not coincide or
touch.
The most common of these is dynamic unbalance.
Causes of Unbalance:
In the design of rotating parts of a machine every care is taken to eliminate any out of
balance or couple, but there will be always some residual unbalance left in the finished
part because of

i) slight variation in the density of the material or

ii) inaccuracies in the casting or
iii) inaccuracies in machining of the parts.
Why balancing is so important?
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iii) A level of unbalance that is acceptable at a low speed is completely

unacceptable at a higher speed.
iv) As machines get bigger and go faster, the effect of the unbalance is much more
severe.
v) The force caused by unbalance increases by the square of the speed.
vi) If the speed is doubled, the force quadruples; if the speed is tripled the force
increases by a factor of nine!
Identifying and correcting the mass distribution and thus minimizing the force and
resultant vibration is very very important

2.2 Static and dynamic balancing.

BALANCING:

Balancing is the technique of correcting or eliminating unwanted inertia forces or

moments in rotating or reciprocating masses and is achieved by changing the location of
the mass centers.
The objectives of balancing an engine are to ensure:
That the centre of gravity of the system remains stationery during a complete
revolution of the crank shaft and .That the couples involved in acceleration of the different
moving parts balance each other.

Types of balancing:

Static Balancing:
Static balancing is a balance of forces due to action of gravity.
A body is said to be in static balance when its centre of gravity is in the axis of
rotation.
Dynamic balancing:
Dynamic balance is a balance due to the action of inertia forces.
A body is said to be in dynamic balance when the resultant moments or couples,
which involved in the acceleration of different moving parts is equal to zero.
The conditions of dynamic balance are met, the conditions of static balance are also
met.

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In rotor or reciprocating machines many a times unbalance of forces is produced due to
inertia forces associated with the moving masses. If these parts are not properly balanced,
the dynamic forces are set up and forces not only increase loads on bearings and stresses
in the various components, but also unpleasant and dangerous vibrations.
Balancing is a process of designing or modifying machinery so that the unbalance is
reduced to an acceptable level and if possible eliminated entirely.

BALANCING OF ROTATING MASSES

When a mass moves along a circular path, it experiences a centripetal acceleration and a
force is required to produce it. An equal and opposite force called centrifugal force acts
radially outwards and is a disturbing force on the axis of rotation. The magnitude of this
remains constant but the direction changes with the rotation of the mass.
In a revolving rotor, the centrifugal force remains balanced as long as the centre
of the mass of rotor lies on the axis of rotation of the shaft. When this does not happen,
there is an eccentricity and an unbalance force is produced. This type of unbalance is
common in steam turbine rotors, engine crankshafts, rotors of compressors, centrifugal
pumps etc.

meω2

The unbalance forces exerted on machine members are time varying, impart vibratory
motion and noise, there are human discomfort, performance of the machine deteriorate
and detrimental effect on the structural integrity of the machine foundation.

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Balancing involves redistributing the mass which may be carried out by addition or
removal of mass from various machine members
Balancing of rotating masses can be of
1) Balancing of a single rotating mass by a single mass rotating in the same plane.
2) Balancing of a single rotating mass by two masses rotating in different planes.
3) Balancing of several masses rotating in the same plane
4) Balancing of several masses rotating in different planes

STATIC BALANCING

A system of rotating masses is said to be in static balance if the combined mass centre of
the system lies on the axis of rotation

DYNAMIC BALANCING

When several masses rotate in different planes, the centrifugal forces, in addition to being
out of balance, also form couples. A system of rotating masses is in dynamic balance
when there does not exist any resultant centrifugal force as well as resultant couple.

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2.3 Balancing of single rotating mass by balancing masses in same plane and in
different planes.

CASE 1.
BALANCING OF A SINGLE ROTATING MASS BY A SINGLE
MASS ROTATING IN THE SAME PLANE

Consider a disturbing mass m1 which is attached to a shaft rotating at ω

rad/s. Let
r1 = radius of rotation of the mass m1
=distance between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the centre of
gravity of the mass m1
The centrifugal force exerted by mass m1 on the shaft is given by,
Fc1 = m1 ω 2 r1 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(1)

This force acts radially outwards and produces bending moment on the shaft. In order to
counteract the effect of this force Fc1 , a balancing mass m2 may be attached in the same
plane of rotation of the disturbing mass m1 such that the centrifugal forces due to the two
masses are equal and opposite.

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Let,

r2 = radius of rotation of the mass m2

= distance between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the centre of
gravity of the mass m2
Therefore the centrifugal force due to mass m2 will be,
Fc2 =m2 ω2 r2 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(2)
Equating equations (1) and (2), we get

F
c1 =Fc2
m ω2 r = m ω 2 r or m r = m r − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(3)

The product m 2 r2 can be split up in any convenient way. As for as possible the radius
of rotation of mass m2 that is r2 is generally made large in order to reduce the balancing
mass m2.

CASE 2:

BALANCING OF A SINGLE ROTATING MASS BY TWO MASSES ROTATING

IN DIFFERENT PLANES.

There are two possibilities while attaching two balancing masses:

1. The plane of the disturbing mass may be in between the planes of the two
balancing masses.
2. The plane of the disturbing mass may be on the left or right side of two planes
containing the balancing masses.
In order to balance a single rotating mass by two masses rotating in different
planes which are parallel to the plane of rotation of the disturbing mass i) the net dynamic
force acting on the shaft must be equal to zero, i.e. the centre of the masses of the system
must lie on the axis of rotation and this is the condition for static balancing ii) the net
couple due to the dynamic forces acting on the shaft must be equal to zero, i.e. the
algebraic sum of the moments about any point in the plane must be zero. The conditions
i) and ii) together give dynamic balancing.

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CASE 2(I):

THE PLANE OF THE DISTURBING MASS LIES IN BETWEEN THE PLANES

OF THE TWO BALANCING MASSES.

Consider the disturbing mass m lying in a plane A which is to be balanced by two

rotating masses m1 and m2 lying in two different planes M and N which are parallel to the
plane A as shown.
Let r, r1 and r2 be the radii of rotation of the masses in planes A, M and N respectively.
Let L1, L2 and L be the distance between A and M, A and N, and M and N respectively.
Now,
The centrifugal force exerted by the mass m in plane A will be,
Fc =m ω2 r − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(1)
Similarly,
The centrifugal force exerted by the mass m1 in plane M will be,

Fc1 =m1 ω2 r1 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(2)

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And the centrifugal force exerted by the mass m2 in plane N will be,

Fc2 =m2 ω2 r2 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(3)

For the condition of static balancing,

Fc = Fc1 + Fc2
or mω2 r = m ω2 r + m ω2 r

i.e. mr = m1 r1 + m2 r2 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − −(4)
Now, to determine the magnitude of balancing force in the plane ‗M‘ or the dynamic
force at the bearing ‗O‘ of a shaft, take moments about ‗ P ‘ which is the point of
intersection of the plane N and the axis of rotation.
Similarly, in order to find the balancing force in plane ‗N‘ or the dynamic force at the
bearing ‗P‘ of a shaft, take moments about ‗ O ‘ which is the point of intersection of the
plane M and the axis of rotation
For dynamic balancing equations (5) or (6) must be satisfied along with equation (4).

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CASE 2(II):

WHEN THE PLANE OF THE DISTURBING MASS LIES ON ONE END OF THE
TWO PLANES CONTAINING THE BALANCING MASSES.

For static balancing,

Fc1 = Fc + Fc2

or m1 ω2 r1 =mω2 r + m2 ω2 r2

i.e. m1 r1 = mr+ m2 r2 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − (1)

For dynamic balance the net dynamic force acting on the shaft and the net couple due to
dynamic forces acting on the shaft is equal to zero.
To find the balancing force in the plane ‗M‘ or the dynamic force at the bearing ‗O‘ of a
shaft, take moments about ‗P‘. i.e.

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Fc1 xL= Fc xL2
or m ω2 r x L = mω2 r xL
1 1 2
Therefore,
L2
m r L = mrL or m r = mr − − − − − − − −(2)
11 2 11
L

Similarly, to find the balancing force in the plane ‗N‘ , take moments about ‗O‘, i.e.,

Fc2 xL= Fc xL1

or m ω2 r x L = mω2 r xL
2 2 1
Therefore,
L1
m r L = mrL or m r = mr − − − − − − − −(3)
22 1 22
L
2.4 Balancing of several rotating masses by balancing masses in same plane and in
different planes.

CASE 3:
BALANCING OF SEVERAL MASSES ROTATING IN THE SAME PLANE

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Consider a rigid rotor revolving with a constant angular velocity ω rad/s. A number of
masses say, four are depicted by point masses at different radii in the same transverse
plane.

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If m1, m2, m3 and m4 are the masses revolving at radii r1, r2, r3 and r4 respectively in the
same plane.
The centrifugal forces exerted by each of the masses are Fc1, Fc2, Fc3 and Fc4 respectively.
Let F be the vector sum of these forces. i.e.
1. =Fc1 +Fc2 +Fc3 + Fc4
=m1 ω2 r1 + m2 ω2 r2 + m3 ω2 r3 + m4 ω2 r4 − − − − − − − − − (1)
The rotor is said to be statically balanced if the vector sum F is zero. If the vector sum F
is not zero, i.e. the rotor is unbalanced, then introduce a counterweight ( balance weight)
of mass ‗m‘ at radius ‗r‘ to balance the rotor so that,
m1 ω2 r1 + m2 ω2 r2 + m3 ω2 r3 + m4 ω2 r4 + m ω2 r = 0 − − − − − − − − − (2)
or
m1 r1 + m2 r2 + m3 r3 + m4 r4 + m r = 0 − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − (3)

The magnitude of either ‗m‘ or ‗r‘ may be selected and the other can be calculated.
In general, if ∑m i ri is the vector sum of m1 r1 , m 2 r2 , m 3 r3 , m 4 r4 etc, then,

∑mi ri + mr= 0− − − − − − − −(4)

The above equation can be solved either analytically or graphically.

1. Analytical Method:

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2. Graphical Method:

Step 1:
Draw the space diagram with the positions of the several masses, as shown.
Step 2:
Find out the centrifugal forces or product of the mass and radius of rotation exerted by
each mass.
Step 3:
Now draw the vector diagram with the obtained centrifugal forces or product of the
masses and radii of rotation. To draw vector diagram take a suitable scale.
Let ab, bc, cd, de represents the forces Fc1, Fc2, Fc3 and Fc4 on the vector diagram.
Draw ‗ab‘ parallel to force Fc1 of the space diagram, at ‗b‘ draw a line parallel to force
Fc2. Similarly draw lines cd, de parallel to Fc3 and Fc4 respectively.
Step 4:
As per polygon law of forces, the closing side ‗ae‘ represents the resultant force in
magnitude and direction as shown in vector diagram.
Step 5:
The balancing force is then , equal and opposite to the resultant force.

Step 6:
Determine the magnitude of the balancing mass ( m ) at a given radius of rotation ( r ),
such that,

Fc =mω2 r
or
Mr=resultantofm1 r1 ,m2 r2 ,m3 r3 andm4 r4
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CASE 4:

BALANCING OF SEVERAL MASSES ROTATING IN DIFFERENT PLANES

When several masses revolve in different planes, they may be transferred to a reference
plane and this reference plane is a plane passing through a point on the axis of rotation
and perpendicular to it.

When a revolving mass in one plane is transferred to a reference plane, its effect is to
cause a force of same magnitude to the centrifugal force of the revolving mass to act in
the reference plane along with a couple of magnitude equal to the product of the force
and the distance between the two planes.
In order to have a complete balance of the several revolving masses in different planes,
1. the forces in the reference plane must balance, i.e., the resultant force must be zero and
2. the couples about the reference plane must balance i.e., the resultant couple must be
zero.
A mass placed in the reference plane may satisfy the first condition but the couple
balance is satisfied only by two forces of equal magnitude in different planes. Thus, in
general, two planes are needed to balance a system of rotating masses.

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Example:
Consider four masses m1, m2, m3 and m4 attached to the rotor at radii r1, r2, r3 and r4
respectively. The masses m1, m2, m3 and m4 rotate in planes 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

a) Position of planes of masses

Choose a reference plane at ‗O‘ so that the distance of the planes 1, 2, 3 and 4 from ‗O‘
are L1, L2 , L3 and L4 respectively. The reference plane chosen is plane ‗L‘. Choose
another plane ‗M‘ between plane 3 and 4 as shown.
Plane ‗M‘ is at a distance of Lm from the reference plane ‗L‘. The distances of all the
other planes to the left of ‗L‘ may be taken as negative( -ve) and to the right may be taken
as positive (+ve).
The magnitude of the balancing masses mL and mM in planes L and M may be obtained
by following the steps given below.
Step 1:
Tabulate the given data as shown after drawing the sketches of position of planes of
masses and angular position of masses. The planes are tabulated in the same order in
which they occur from left to right.

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Centrifugal Distance 2
Plane Mass (m) Radius (r) force/ω2 from Ref. Couple/ ω
(m r L)
1 2 3 (m r) plane ‗L‘ (L)
6
4 5
1 m1 r1 m1 r1 - L1 - m1 r1 L1
L mL rL mL rL 0 0
2 m2 r2 m 2 r2 L2 m2 r2 L2
3 m3 r3 m3 r 3 L3 m3 r3 L3
M mM rM mM rM LM mM rM LM
4 m4 r4 m4 r 4 L4 m4 r 4 L4

Step 2:
Construct the couple polygon first. (The couple polygon can be drawn by taking a
convenient scale)
Add the known vectors and considering each vector parallel to the radial line of the
mass draw the couple diagram. Then the closing vector will be ‗mM rM LM‘.

The vector d ‘o‘ on the couple polygon represents the balanced couple. Since the

balanced couple CM is proportional to mM rM LM , therefore,

C =m r L = vector d' o'

M MM M

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vector d' o'

or m =
M
rM LM

From this the value of mM in the plane M can be determined and the angle of inclination
φ of this mass may be measured from figure (b).
Step 3:
Now draw the force polygon (The force polygon can be drawn by taking a convenient
scale) by adding the known vectors along with ‗mM rM‘. The closing vector will be ‗mL
rL‘. This represents the balanced force. Since the balanced force is proportional to ‗mL rL‘
,
mL rL = vector eo
vector eo
or m=
L
rL
From this the balancing mass mL can be obtained in plane ‗L‘ and the angle of
inclination of this mass with the horizontal may be measured from figure (b).

Problems and solutions

1. A shaft carries four masses A, B, C and D of magnitude 200 kg, 300 kg, 400 kg and
200 kg respectively and revolving at radii 80 mm, 70 mm, 60 mm and 80 mm in planes
measured from A at 300 mm, 400 mm and 700 mm. The angles between the cranks
measured anticlockwise are A to B 45°, B to C 70° and C to D 120°. The balancing
masses are to be placed in planes X and Y. The distance between the planes A and X is
100 mm, between X and Y is 400 mm and between Y and D is 200 mm. If the balancing
masses revolve at a radius of 100 mm, find their magnitudes and angular positions.

Given : mA = 200 kg ; mB = 300 kg ; mC = 400 kg ;mD = 200 kg ,rA = 80 mmv= 0.08m ;

rB = 70 mm = 0.07 m ; rC = 60 mm = 0.06 m ; rD = 80 mm = 0.08 m ; rX = rY = 100 mm =
0.1 m

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2. Four masses A, B, C and D as shown below are to be completely balanced. The planes
containing masses B and C are 300 mm apart. The angle between planes containing B
and C is 90°. B and C make angles of 210° and 120° respectively with D in the same
sense. Find :
1. The magnitude and the angular position of mass A ; and
2. The position of planes A and D.
Given rA = 180 mm = 0.18 m ; mB = 30 kg ; rB = 240 mm = 0.24 m ; mC = 50 kg ;
rC = 120 mm = 0.12 m ; mD = 40 kg ; rD = 150 mm = 0.15 m ; ∠BOC = 90° ;
∠BOD = 210° ; ∠COD = 120°

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3. A, B, C and D are four masses carried by a rotating shaft at radii 100, 125, 200 and 150
mm respectively. The planes in which the masses revolve are spaced 600 mm apart and
the mass of B, C and D are 10 kg, 5 kg, and 4 kg respectively. Find the required mass A
and the relative angular settings of the four masses so that the shaft shall be in complete
balance.

Given : rA = 100 mm = 0.1 m ; rB = 125 mm = 0.125 m ; rC = 200 mm = 0.2 m ;

rD = 150 mm = 0.15 m ; mB = 10 kg ; mC = 5 kg ; mD = 4 kg

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4. A shaft is supported in bearings 1.8 m apart and projects 0.45 m beyond bearings at
each end. The shaft carries three pulleys one at each end and one at the middle of its
length. The mass of end pulleys is 48 kg and 20 kg and their centre of gravity are 15 mm
and 12.5 mm respectively from the shaft axis. The centre pulley has a mass of 56 kg and
its centre of gravity is 15 mm from the shaft axis. If the pulleys are arranged so as to give
static balance, determine : 1. relative angular positions of the pulleys, and 2. dynamic
forces produced on the bearings when the shaft rotates at 300 r.p.m.

Given : mA = 48 kg ; mC = 20 kg ; rA = 15 mm = 0.015 m ; rC = 12.5 mm = 0.0125 m ;

mB = 56 kg ; rB = 15 mm = 0.015 m ; N = 300 r.p.m. or ω= 2 π × 300/60 = 31.42 rad/s

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OUT COMES

1. Students will be able Check static and Dynamic balancing for Rotating systems.
2. Students able to solve problems on balancing of rotating masses

Exercise

1. What is meant by balancing of rotating masses?

2. Why rotating masses are to be dynamically balanced?
3. Define static balancing.
4. Define dynamic balancing.

FURTHER READING

1. Theory of Machines by S.S.Rattan, Third Edition, Tata McGraw Hill Education

Private Limited.
2. Kinematics and Dynamics of Machinery by R. L. Norton, First Edition in SI units, Tata
McGraw Hill Education Private Limited.
3. Primer on Dynamic Balancing ―Causes, Corrections and Consequences‖ By
Jim Lyons International Sales Manager IRD Balancing Div. EntekIRD International

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