Experiment # 8

Title:
To perform balancing of single rotating mass by one mass in same plane.
Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to analyze the phenomenon of balancing of one disturbing
mass (DM) with one balancing mass (BM) in same plane.
Apparatus:
 Balancing equipment. (angles are mention on the rotating parts)
 Scale rule
 Loads (In pounds)

Equipment Diagram:

Figure1: Balancing Equipment

Theory:
Balancing:
A balancing machine is used to determine the location and amount of unbalanced masses on a
rotor. The rotor is mounted on the machine bearings and the machine spins the rotor. Soft
bearing machines measure the displacement of the ends of the rotor and bearings.
The balancing of rotating bodies is important to avoid vibration. In heavy industrial machines
such as gas turbines and electric generators, vibration can cause catastrophic failure, as well
as noise and discomfort. In the case of a narrow wheel, balancing simply involves moving the
center of gravity to the center of rotation. For a system to be in complete balance both force
and couple polygons should be closed.in order to prevent the effect of centrifugal force.
Importance of balancing in machines.
Balancing plays a very important part in machines. Balancing in machines helps to rotating
bodies to avoid vibrations; vibration in machines can lead to failure. Common failure occurs
in generators and heavy machinery, so undertaking in balancing can help to avoid machines
from breaking down.Balancing refers to the act of reducing (or even eliminating) the
unbalanced forces and couples in a mechanical system. Unbalanced forces prevailing in the
system can cause vibrations, noise, ear damage, structural damage, lack of precision and
accuracy in the machining process etc.
Balancing plays a very important part in machines. Balancing in machines helps to rotating
bodies to avoid vibrations; vibration in machines can lead to failure. Common failure occurs
in generators and heavy machinery, so undertaking in balancing can help to avoid machines
from breaking down.
Types of balancing:
There are two types of balancing.
1. Static balancing
2. Dynamic balancing
Static balance
Static balance occurs when the centre of gravity of an object is on the axis of rotation. The
object can therefore remain stationary, with the axis horizontal, without the application of any
braking force. It has no tendency to rotate due to the force of gravity. This is seen in bike
wheels where the reflective plate is placed opposite the valve to distribute the centre of mass
to the centre of the wheel. For example: Grindstones, Discs or Car Wheels.
Dynamic balance
Rotating shaft unbalanced by two identical attached weights, which causes a
counterclockwise centrifugal couple Cd that must be resisted by a clockwise couple Fℓ = Cd
exerted by the bearings. The figure is drawn from the viewpoint of a frame rotating with the
shaft, hence the centrifugal forces.
A rotating system of mass is in dynamic balance when the rotation does not produce any
resultant centrifugal force or couple. The system rotates without requiring the application of
any external force or couple, other than that required to support its weight. If a system is
initially unbalanced, to avoid the stress upon the bearings caused by the centrifugal couple,
counterbalancing weights must be added. This is seen when a bicycle wheel gets buckled.
The wheel will not rotate itself when stationary due to gravity as it is still statically balanced,
but will not rotate smoothly as the center of mass is to the side of the centre bearing. The
spokes on a bike wheel need to be tuned in order to stop this and keep the wheel operating as
efficiently as possible.
Unbalanced systems
When an unbalanced system is rotating, periodic linear and/or torsional forces are
generated which are perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The periodic nature of these forces
is commonly experienced as vibration. These off-axis vibration forces may exceed the design
limits of individual machine elements, reducing the service life of these parts. For instance, a
bearing may be subjected to perpendicular torsion forces that would not occur in a nominally
balanced system, or the instantaneous linear forces may exceed the limits of the bearing. Such
excessive forces will cause failure in bearings in short time periods. Shafts with unbalanced
masses can be bent by the forces and experience fatigue failure.
Under conditions where rotating speed is very high even though the mass is low, as in
gas turbines or jet engines, or under conditions where rotating speed is low but the mass is
high, as in ship propellers, balance of the rotating system should be highly considered,
because it may generate large vibrations and cause failure of the whole system. [1]
Disadvantages:
Vibrations produce stresses in the body that can cause the failure of the mechanism. The
reasons for failure are discussed below:
 Inhomogeneous material.
 Unconscious Change during machining.
 Due to environment, wear and tear in machines.
 Centrifugal Affect.

Modes:
In order to balance masses, there are to different parts:
i. Rotating parts:

These parts can completely be balanced.

ii. Reciprocating parts:

These parts cannot be completely balanced. Because of some components that are
remained un-balanced. [2]
Balancing of rotating parts:
We have already discussed, that whenever a certain mass is attached to a rotating shaft, it
exerts some centrifugal force, whose effect is to bend the shaft and to produce vibrations in it.
In order to prevent the effect of centrifugal force, another mass is attached to the opposite
side of the shaft, at such a position so as to balance the effect of the centrifugal force of the
first mass. This is done in such a way that the centrifugal force of both the masses are made
to be equal and opposite. The process of providing the second mass in order to counteract the
effect of the centrifugal force of the first mass, is called balancing of rotating masses.
The following cases are important from the subject point of view:
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 different masses rotating in the same plane.
4. Balancing of different masses rotating in different planes.

Balancing of a Single Rotating Mass by a Single Mass Rotating in the Same Plane:

Consider a disturbing mass m1 attached to a shaft rotating at ω rad/s as shown in Fig.

2. Let r1 be the radius of rotation of the mass m1 (i.e. distance between the axis of rotation of
the shaft and the center of gravity of the mass m1). We know that the centrifugal force
exerted by the mass m1 on the shaft,

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

Figure 1: Case 1
Procedure:
1. First of all, we have to check the balance of apparatus before applying the masses.
2. Now we have to apply a known disturbing mass at the shaft at known radius and
angle.
3. Using formulas, calculate the force. This force is balanced to the balancing force at
180-degree angle.
4. Calculate the balancing mass using different value of radius.
5. After calculation, apply the mass and check the balance of apparatus again.

Observation & Calculations:

Sample calculations:

Sir No. Md Rd Θd Md.Rd Mb Rb Θb Mb.Rb

1 1 6 30 6 1 6 210 6

2 1 6 120 6 1 6 300 6

3 1.25 6 60 7.5 1.25 6 240 7.5

4 1.5 6 150 9 1.5 6 330 9

Given data:
m=mass of DM =¿
r =radius of DM =¿
r 1=radius of BM =¿
2
F=m .ω . r
F=force of DM=force of BM =F 1

m .r =m1 . r 1

Results:
In this experiment we have perform balancing of single rotating mass by one mass in same
plane. First mass was put at angle of 30 degrees and a second mass was at 120 degrees.
This is done in such a way that the centrifugal forces of both the masses are made to be equal
and opposite. The process of providing the second mass in order to counteract the effect of
the centrifugal force of the first mass is called balancing of rotating masses.
Comments:
Whenever an object containing mass is attached to a rotating shaft, it exerts some centrifugal
force. This centrifugal force's effect is to bend the shaft and to produce vibrations in it.
References:
1. Class noted Lectures.
2. http://qu.edu.iq/el/pluginfile.php/81441/mod_resource/content/1/Balancing
%20of%20Rotating%20Masses.pdf