BALANCING OF ROTATING MACHINERY OVERVIEW

Pranabesh De Choudhury, Ph.D., P.E.

Pran RDA Consulting Inc.
Greensburg, PA 15601
 EFFECTS OF UNBALANCE

• Unbalance in rotors causes rotor vibrations @ 1x Rotor

Speed
• Transmits rotating forces to the bearings and to the
foundations.
• Transmitted forces may cause damage to the machine
parts and its foundation.
• Transmitted forces may affect neighboring machines
and structures.

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 CAUSES OF UNBALANCE

• Mass eccentricity
• Parts distortion
• Stacking errors
• Bent or bowed shaft
• Deposits on rotors
• Non-homogeneity of the material

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 TYPES OF UNBALANCE

• Static unbalance
• Couple unbalance
• Quasi-static unbalance
• Dynamic unbalance

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Perfectly balanced rotor – Principal Inertia Axis M-M
coincides with the Shaft Axis

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Static unbalance – Principal Inertia Axis M-M is displaced
parallel to the Shaft Axis by the amount of the Mass
Eccentricity

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Couple Unbalance – Causes the Principal Inertia Axis M-M
to be inclined by an angle α relative to the Shaft Axis. The
CG remains on the Shaft Axis

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Quasi-static Unbalance – Causes the Principal Inertia Axis
M-M to be inclined by an angle α relative to the Shaft Axis.
The axes intersect but not on the CG.

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 VERY STIFF ROTORS

• Insignificant rotor bending occurs through the

operating speed range.
• Machines usually operate well below the first
“bending-type” critical speed.
• May pass through one or two resonances governed
largely by support stiffness.
• Rotors in this class can be balanced at low speed in
two correction planes and retains quality of balance
achieved when operated at service speed.

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 VERY FLEXIBLE ROTORS

• Several changes in modal shape occur as speed is

increased to the operating speed.
• Machines usually operate above two or more major
“bending-type” critical speeds.
• Rotors in this class cannot retain, at service speed, the
quality of balance achieved at low speeds.
• “At-Speed” balancing, preferably in the type of
bearings which will be used in service, is required.

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 QUASI-RIGID ROTORS

• Modal shape in the operating speed range is a

combination of significant rotor bending and rigid-on-
flexible-support response.
• Machines usually operate well above the first
“bending-type” critical speed, but below the higher
major bending critical speeds.
• Most multistage compressors and steam turbines
belong to this class.
• Balancing techniques have been developed which
permit adequate retention at service speeds the
quality of balance achieved at low speed.

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 SINGLE PLANE BALANCING

• The complex amplitude of motion of the single mass running

at the balance speed ω = ωb, and has a bowed rotor is given
by equation:
Z1 = Au Eu + Ar Er (1)

Where, Au is the complex unbalance influence coefficient

Ar is the complex shaft residual coefficient
Eu is the unbalance eccentricity
Er is the complex residual eccentricity

• Unbalance influence coefficient is by the trial weight

method. Add the trial balance of value Ut and run at the
balance speed
ωb.
• The disc response Zt is given by the equation
Zt = Au (Eu + Et ) + Ar Er (2)
• The difference in the responses Z1 and Zt provides the
unbalance influence coefficient:
Au = (Zt – Z1) / Et (3)
• Proper balance correction eccentricity is:
Eb = (Z1 + Er) / Au (4)
 TWO PLANE BALANCING
(Reference: Thomson, W. T., Vibration Theory with Applications,
Prentice Hall, Inc. Englewood, N.J., 1965)

• Refer to the two ends as near and far ends.

• Rotor is first run “as is” and the amplitude vectors N and F
relative to any reference mark on the end of the rotor are
measured.
• N and F represent the effect of the actual unbalance in the
rotor
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TWO PLANE BALANCING

• Add a trial known weight Wtn at any position on the

near end.
• Amplitude vectors N2 and F2 are the effects of the
original unbalance and the trial weight Wtn
• Vector difference N2-N and F2-F are the effect of Wtn
alone on the near and far ends.
• N2-N and F2-F will vary directly with Wtn
• F2-F = α (N2-N) = α A, α is a vector operator depending
on the property of the machine and its

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 TWO PLANE BALANCING

• Remove Wtn. Next add a known trial weight Wtf on

the far end
• Repeat previous measurements and vector calculation.
• N3-N = β (F3-F) = β B

• Proper balance weights at the near end Wbn and far

end Wbf can be determined by changing the magnitude
and direction of the trial weights Wtn and Wtf
• Wbn = θ Wtn Wbf = φ Wtf

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 TWO PLANE BALANCING

• Operator θ will have the same effect on A and αA as it

has on Wtn
• Complete balance of the rotor can be expressed by
θ A + φ (β B) = -N and φ B + θ (α A) = -F
• From the above two equations solve for θ and β

θ = (β F – N) / (1 - α β) A

φ = (α N – F) / (1 - α β) B

• Knowing α , β , θ , and φ , the balance weights Wbn and

Wbf can be determined.

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 TYPES OF BALANCING MACHINES

• Soft bearing balancing machines – Balancing machine

having an operating speed above the 1st natural
frequency of rotor-suspension system.
• Hard bearing balancing machines - Balancing machine
having an operating speed below the 1st natural
frequency of rotor-suspension system.

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 THREE PLANE BALANCING

• Rotor is completely assembled using pre-balanced

component.
• Utilizing two-plane technique amount of unbalance in
planes at the outermost wheels is determined.
• This is resolved into a force component and a moment
(couple).
• Single-plane (force) correction is made as near the
center-of-gravity of the rotor as is physically practical.

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 THREE PLANE BALANCING (continued)

• Residual unbalance moment is then corrected in two-

planes through the end wheels, usually near one-
quarter points of the rotor span between bearings.
• Unbalance force correction near the center of the rotor
span minimizes vibration response in the fundamental
mode, especially through the first critical speed.
• Unbalance moment correction near the quarter planes
minimizes vibration response in the second flexural
mode for operation well above the first critical speed.

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 INCREMENTAL OR SEQUENTIAL BALANCING

• Wheels are assembled on the shaft singly or in pairs.

• Following each step, balancing corrections are made in
two planes on the last wheel(s) assembled.
• This stepwise procedure is followed until all rotor parts
are installed and balancing corrections made.
• Whenever possible the rotor should be stacked with
pairs of wheels from the center outboard to each end.
• When rotor stacking must proceed from one end
completed rotor should be check-balanced in the
outermost planes.
• If the indicated unbalance exceeds specified tolerance,
rotor should be stripped, and the whole process
repeated.

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 HIGH SPEED BALANCE PROCEDURE

• Following a preliminary low-speed balance, attempt to

run to over speed before final corrections are made. (If
required, make temporary corrections).
• For required balance corrections, use trial weights at
selected planes for influence coefficients needed by
the balancing program.
• Adjust rotor by grinding or balance weight addition
until tolerances are achieved, both for the peak at the
first critical speed and at max. continuous speed.

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 HIGH SPEED BALANCE TOLERANCES

• Requires consideration of pedestals selected to fit the

bearings and meet pedestal natural frequency limits.
• For a 2000 lb. rotor at 12000 RPM, either pedestals
with stiffness near 8 million or 3 million lb./in. could
be selected.
• Velocity limit for more flexible (smaller) pedestals
could be 1.0 mm/sec, but should be about 0.40
mm/sec for the larger, stiffer pedestals.
• Use rms of horizontal and vertical velocity
measurements on bearing pedestals.
• Evaluate vibration at both first critical speed peak and
at max. continuous speed – Nmc.
• Knowing pedestal stiffness and displacement
(integrating velocity) gives forces at bearings.
• Results should give force within 0.5 “g” at first critical
peak and 0.2 “g” at Nmc.
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 HIGH SPEED BALANCE EXAMPLE

• 2000 lb. Rotor with Nmc=10000 RPM

• First critical speed at 7000 RPM
• Using pedestal K= 3.2 x 106 lb./in.
• Tolerance at first critical speed peak:
Force/pedestal=.50 “g” = 500 lb. (peak)
• Displacement = 500/3.2 x 106=0.000156 in.
• Velocity = 2π (7000/60) x 0.000156
• Velocity = 0.114 in./sec. (peak)
• Velrms = 0.114 x 25.4/1.414 = 2.0 mm/sec

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 HIGH SPEED BALANCE EXAMPLE

• 2000 lb. Rotor with Nmc=10000 RPM

• Second critical speed at 16000 RPM
• Using pedestal K= 3.2 x 106 lb./in.
• Tolerance at Nmc <<< 2nd critical speed:
Force/pedestal=.20 “g” = 200 lb. (peak)
• Displacement = 200/3.2 x 106=0.000063 in.
• Velocity = 2π (10000/60) x 0.000063
• Velocity = 0.066 in./sec. (peak)
• Velrms = 0.066 x 25.4/1.414 = 1.2 mm/sec

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 OPERATING SPEED BALANCING

Main Advantages

• For flexible rotors above first critical, optimizes

unbalance distribution for mode shape of rotor at full
speed.
• Seasons rotor at over speed, e.g., removal of
temporary bows, effect of shrink fits, blade seating.
• Provides rotor with a lower vibration baseline to
accommodate changes, e.g., added unbalance during
process operation.

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 OPERATING SPEED BALANCING
Main Precautions

• Bearing pedestals’ low mass and stiffness affect

criticals, especially the 2nd and 3rd.
• Mode shapes at speed to be similar to actual
operation; thus bearings with characteristics similar to
those for actual machine are needed.
• Both pedestal and rotor/bearing natural frequencies
can give a much more sensitive system (vibration
limits should be adjusted).

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Verification of Unbalance Response Predictions at an At Speed
Balance Bunker
This section does not address the balancing of a rotor, but a
requirement per API 612 and API 617.
This section relates to the possibility of verification of
unbalance response predictions at an at speed balance bunker,
instead of on the test floor which has few restrictions.
Generally, during the unbalance response verification on the
test floor, the unbalance can only be put on the coupling hub.
In order to more accurately verify the location of first critical
speed, the more appropriate location would be at a location
between the bearings for non-overhung rotors. This would
generally be difficult without opening the casing. The same is true
for verification of the location of second critical speed, where one
needs to put the unbalances at quarter span.
However, if these verification tests are conducted on an at
speed balance speed bunker the above two difficulties will not
arise.
If it is mutually agreed upon between the manufacturer and
the user to conduct such a test where at speed balance facility is
available and used for such a purpose, the following steps need to
be taken.
1. The subject rotor has to be balanced first with simulated half
coupling weight.
2. For such a test it is recommended that the job bearings be
used.
3. The rotor assembly is balanced first.
4. Analyses should be conducted using the expected pedestal
flexibility, mass, and damping data.
5. Record vibration data up to over speed and coast down of the
balanced rotor. Obtain bode plots, run out subtracted.
6. Put unbalance at the rotor mid span. Amount and location to be
mutually agreed upon with the customer. Run up to over speed
and coast down. Record vibration data. Obtain bode plots run
out subtracted. Correlate location of peak response, and
amplitude, at probe locations, using vector change between 5
and 6. Correlate amplification factors at peak response.
7. Take out the mid span unbalance. Put out of phase unbalances
at the rotor quarter spans (end impellers, or, disks). Amount
and locations to be mutually agreed upon with the customer.
Run up to over speed and coast down. Record vibration data.
Obtain bode plots, run out subtracted. Correlate location of
peak response, and amplitude, at probe locations, using vector
change between 5 and 7. Correlate amplification factors at
peak response.
8. Location of peak responses, amplitudes and amplification
factors are expected to be within percentages mutually agreed
upon, or, per API.
 Minimum Achievable Residual Unbalance (Umar)
(Hatto Schneider, “Balancing Technology”)

• Residual unbalance which can be achieved on a balancing

machine
• Expressed in g mm/kg. Specific unbalance corresponding to
readout instrument for this value.
• In hard bearing balancing machines, the Umar may be given
in g mm instead of specific unbalance.
• Parameters are valid for the whole working range of the
balancing machine, defined by a combination of rotor weight
and speed limits
• Umar is influenced by the type of instrumentation,
amount and angle indication, plane separation,
sensitivity, drive, bearing etc.
• Umar can be checked by a traverse test carried out with
a special proving rotor
 Test for Umar

This is the Residual Unbalance in the Proving Rotor

Test comprises of the following steps

(Hatto Schneider, “Balancing Technology”)

• Choose the proving rotor. Residual unbalance of the rotor

must not exceed five times the specified Umar
• Two test weights are applied which correspond to 10
to 20 times Umar. Care must be taken that they are not
applied
1. In the same plane.
2. In one correction plane.
3. At the same angular position or 180° apart.
• Rotor is balanced in 2 planes. A maximum of 4 balancing
runs are permitted.
• The angle reference mark is changed by 60° or 90° e.g., turn
the end-drive shaft with respect to the rotor.
• Two test weights each equivalent to 5 times Umar are
applied in the two correction planes. Both test weights at
the same angular position.
• In subsequent test runs the test weights are moved to
positions in arbitrary sequence. The amount indication for
each angular position is noted for each correction plane.
• The amount readouts are plotted against angular position.
The points connected by mean sine curve.
• If all amounts lie within these two straight lines the claimed
residual unbalance has been achieved.
• If amount indication is not stable, the maximum and
minimum values must be taken and plotted for each angular
position. All points must lie within the straight lines.
 Diagram Showing Residual Unbalance

Scale Indicator in Divisions

Arithmetic
Mean

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Angle of Test Mass
 Balancing Softwares mainly for Field Balancing

Two softwares are included in this write up:

• Single Plane Balancing

• Two Plane Balancing
Waiver of Warranties and Limitations of Liability

. Pran RDA Consulting Inc. makes no warranties of any kind related to the softwares or
its use, or the results obtained from the use thereof. Users hereby waive all warranties,
expressed, implied, or statutory, including but not limited to, any warranty of
merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose.
In no event Pran RDA Consulting Inc. be liable for any damage, whether special,
consequential or otherwise, resulting from the use of the softwares hereunder even if Pran
Rda Consulting Inc. has been advised of the proposed use of the results of said services and
the possibility of such damage.
In addition the user agrees that Pran RDA Consulting Inc. will not be liable for any lost
profits, nor for any claim of demand against the user by any other party. The results
specified herein are exclusive.
 Sample Run using Single Plane Balancing Software
SINGLE PLANE BALANCING PROGRAM.
BE SURE TO ENTER IN FREE FORMAT INFORMATION IS REQUESTED.

ENTER "0.5" IF 200 MV/MIL PROXIMITOR PROBES ARE USED

"1.0" IF 100 MV/MIL PROXIMITOR PROBES WERE USED
"3.0" IF NEITHER 100 MV/MIL NOR 200 MV/MIL PROXIMITORS
WERE USED.
.5
ENTER "1.0" TO SUBMIT DIRECT DIRECT DEFLECTIONS, "0.0" TO SUBMIT OSCILLOSCOPE TRACES.
1.
ENTER "1.0" IF ANGLES ARE FROM KEYER TO ACTUAL HIGH
SPOT. (ARE ABSOLUTE). OTHERWISE ENTER "0.0".
1.

ENTER ANGLE IN DEGREES FROM KEYER TO BALANCE PROBE

"+" IN DIRECTION OF ROTOATION.

0.
ENTER RESIDUAL UNBALANCE AND ANGLE
RUNNING SPEED UNBALANCE AND ANGLE
TRIAL WEIGHT UNBALANCE AND ANGLE

-----------!!!!!!!!EXPRESS ALL ANGLES IN DEGREES.

1. -90.
4.69 -72.9
6.73 -53.5

ENTER TRIAL WEIGHT AND

THE ANGLE FROM THE KEYER TO THE TRIAL WEIGHT
"+" IN THE DIRECTION OF ROTOATION.

1. 360.
RESIDUAL BOW UNBALANCE : 1.0000 AT -90.000 DEGREES.
RUNNING SPEED HIGH SPOT: 4.69000 AT -72.900 DEGREES.

TRIAL WEIGHT OF 1.00000 AT 360.00000 DEGREES

WITH RESPECT TO THE KEYER.

ANGLE FROM KEYER TO BALANCE PROBE: 0.00000

TRIAL WEIGHT HIGH SPOT: 6.73000 AT -53.500 DEGREES.

PLACE A BALANCE WEIGHT OF, 1.34588 AT , 0.1310643E 03 FROM THE

KEYER TO BALANCE THE ROTOR.
POSITIVE IS IN THE DIRECTION OF SHAFT ROTATION.
BALANCE WEIGHT : 1.25033 AT 135.00000 DEGREES WITH 0.13064 AT 90.00000
DEGREES WILL PROVIDE ABOVE BALANCE.

ENTER "1.0" TO REEXECUTE, "0.0", TO END PROGRAM.

0.0
 Sample Run using Two Plane Balancing Software
**********TWO PLANE BALANCING METHOD**********

BE SURE TO INCLUDE A DECIMAL POINT WITH ALL ENTRIES IN THIS PROGRAM.

ENTER IN FREE FORMAT THE INFORMATION REQUESTED

ENTER "1.0" TO SUBMIT DIRECT DEFLECTIONS, "0.0", TO SUBMIT OSCILLOSCOPE TRACES.

1.

ENTER "0.5" IF 200 MV/MIL PROXIMITOR PROBES WERE USED

"1.0" IF 100 MV/MIL PROXIMITOR PROBES WERE USED
"3.0" IF NEITHER 100 MV/MIL NOR 200 MV/MIL PROXIMITORS
WERE USED.
3.

ENTER NUMBER OF MILS DISTANCE CHANGE REQUIRED FOR PROBE TO PRODUCE 1.0 VOLT.
30.
ENTER "1.0" IF ANGLES ARE FROM KEYER TO ACTUAL HIGH
SPOT. (ARE ABSOLUTE). OTHERWISE ENTER "0.0".
1.
ENTERNEAR END AMPLITUDE
NEAR END ANGLE (DEGREES)
FAR END AMPLITUDE
FAR END ANGLE (DEGREES)
MAY BE ENTERED ON ONE LINE OR ONE DATUM PER LINE.

1.3 7. 1.6 52.

WITH A TRIAL WEIGHT ADDED AT THE NEAR END
ENTER NEAR END AMPLITUDE
NEAR END ANGLE (DEGREES)
FAR END AMPLITUDE
FAR END ANGLE (DEGREES)
MAY BE ENTERED ON ONE LINE OR ONE DATUM PER LINE.

1.5 65. 1.2 76.

WITH A TRIAL WEIGHT ADDED AT THE FAR END
ENTER NEAR END AMPLITUDE
NEAR END ANGLE (DEGREES)
FAR END AMPLITUDE
FAR END ANGLE (DEGREES)
MAY BE ENTERED ON ONE LINE OR ONE DATUM PER LINE.

1.1 -15. .9 162.

ENTER NEAR END TRIAL WEIGHT AND ANGLE FROM THE TRIAL WEIGHT TO
THE KEYER. "+" IN THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION.
2. 90.
ENTER FAR END TRIAL WEIGHT AND ANGLE FROM THE TRIAL WEIGHT TO
THE KEYER. "+" IN THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION.
.5 180.

NEAR END RESIDUAL UNBALANCE: 1.30000 AT: 7.00000 DEGREES.

FAR END RESIDUAL UNBALANCE: 1.60000 AT: 52.00000 DEGREES.
NEAR END N2 UNBALANCE: 1.50000 AT: 65.00000 DEGREES
FAR END F2 UNBALANCE: 1.20000 AT: 76.00000 DEGREES
NEAR END N3 UNBALANCE: 1.10000 AT: -15.00000 DEGREES
FAR END F3 UNBALANCE: 0.90000 AT: 162.00000 DEGREES
NEAR END TRIAL WEIGHT: 2.00000 AT: 90.00000 DEGREES
FAR END TRIAL WEIGHT: 0.50000 AT: 180.00000 DEGREES.
ALL VALUES ARE WITH RESPECT TO THE KEYER.

NEAR END BALANCE WEIGHT: 1.81581 AT 147.95294 DEGREES.

FAR END BALANCE WEIGHT: 0.23803 AT -164.92392 DEGREES.
WITH RESPECT TO THE KEYER.

RESOLUTION OF BALANCE WEIGHTS YIELDS:

NEAR END COMPONENTS ARE:

0.57561 AT 180.00000 DEGREES AND 1.36259 AT 135.00000 DEGREES.

FAR END COMPONENTS ARE:

0.08756 AT 225.00000 DEGREES AND 0.16793 AT 180.00000 DEGREES

ENTER "1.0" TO REEXECUTE, "0.0," TO END PROGRAM.

0.
 References

1. Thomson, W. T., Vibration Theory with Applications,

Prentice Hall, Inc. Englewood, N.J., 1965.
2. Hatto Schneider, Balancing Technology , Schenk Trebel,
1977, pp 107-109.
3. Douglas G. Schneider, Fundamentals of Balancing,
Schenk Trebel, 1983.
4. Edgar J. Gunter, Jr. et. al. , RODYN SHORT COURSE
NOTES, May, 1977.