M.E.S.

College of Engineering, Pune-411001

NAME OF STUDENT: CLASS:

SEMESTER/YEAR: ROLL NO:
DATE OF PERFORMANCE: DATE OF SUBMISSION:
EXAMINED BY: EXPERIMENT NO:

TITLE: Static and Dynamic Balancing

AIM: Experimental verification of dynamic balancing of rotating masses.

THEORY:

BALANCING OF THE ROTATING MASSES:

The problem of balancing relates to the elimination (Partial or complete), of the disturbing
effects that arise, owing to the rotation of a mass about a given axis that does not coincide
with the center of gravity of the mass in consideration. The unbalance in rotating systems in
mainly due to the following factors:

1. Tolerances in manufacturing and assembly.

2. Non-homogeneity of the material resulting in deviation due to porosity, grains and
density.
3. Unsymmetrical shape of the rotors.
4. Unsymmetrical distortion because of service conditions.

Consider a case of mass ‘m’ connected on a shaft as shown in fig 1. The presence of this
mass creates a dynamic load of magnitude ‘m.r.2‘. This will result in increased loads on the
bearings. Besides that, cyclic stresses will be developed on the bearings and this will lead to
vibrations. The balancing of this shaft can be achieved by making the center of mass coincide
with the axis of the shaft. This can be achieved by two different methods.

A) Balancing by a single Mass rotating in the same plane or internal balancing: (Refer
figure No. 2)
To achieve balancing,
m.r.2 = mb.rb.2
m.r = mb.rb -----(1)

Internal balancing is thus achieved by adding counter balance mass directly opposite to the
unbalanced mass in the system. The net result will be the complete elimination of the

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shearing force and bending moment within the revolving shaft. This system is considered to
be under internal balance.

B) Balancing by two Masses rotating in Different Planes or External Balancing: (Refer

figure No. 3)
In many situations, it is not possible to introduce a balancing mass in the same plane of
rotation of the unbalanced mass. In such cases, adding a single balancing mass would create
an unbalanced couple, which would rock the shaft in the bearings. Hence, an alternative
arrangement is to introduce two additional balancing masses mb1 and mb2 in the same axial
plane as the unbalanced mass, but on the opposite side of the shaft as shown in figure No. 3.
For complete balancing, both the forces as well as the couples should be balanced.
m.r.2 = mb1.rb1.2 + mb2.rb2.2
m.r = mb1.rb1 + mb2.rb2 -----(2)
For couples to be balanced, we take moments about the reference plane RP,
m.r.2.a = mb2.rb2.2 (a+b)
m.r.a = mb2.rb2. (a+b) -----(3)

In this system too, the reaction at each bearing under dynamic conditions would be zero. This
would result in no vibrations while rotating. Such a system is considered to be externally
balanced.

STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE:

In many applications, it is found that the principal axis of inertia is parallel to the shaft axis of
rotation. This kind of a situation may occur in eccentrically mounted plates. Such a situation
is referred to as system having static unbalance. When a shaft carries a series of masses such
that the center of mass of the system is on the axis of rotation, then it is said to be under static
balance.
In a system having static balance, Dynamic forces on the bearings may occur when rotated.
Consider a system shown in figure No. 4. The system is statically balanced as the sum of
vertical forces is zero and hence the center of mass coincides with the axis. However, there

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would be reactions on the bearings due to an unbalanced couple. To find the reaction, we take
moments about ‘A’.

2 2
m. r .ω .a - m .r . ω . a 1 +R B .(a+b)=0
R B=m.r.ω 2 .(a 1 −a)
Similarly, ( a+b)
R A =m .r .ω2 . (b 1−b)
( a+b)
These forces would be zero only if a 1=a, b1=b, which is the same as having masses opposites
each other.

A system having two masses as shown in the fig 4, can be balanced by placing two other
masses at some distances, such that the summation of vertical forces as well as couples
becomes zero. This means there is no dynamic load on any bearing. Such a system is called
as dynamically balanced system.

Thus, the major conditions to ensure complete balancing are:

1. The center of mass of the system must lie on the axis of rotation (condition for static
balancing).
2. Resultant couple due to dynamic forces must be zero.

Both these conditions when achieved provide a system with dynamic stability.

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

The apparatus consists of a steel shaft mounted in ball bearings in a rectangular mainframe. A
set of four blocks of different weights is provided and may be clamped in any position on the
shaft, and also easily detached from the shaft.

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- A disc carrying a circular protractor scale is fitted to one side of rectangular frame. A Shaft
carries a disc and the rim of this disc is grooved to take a light cord provided with two
cylindrical metal pans of exactly the same weight (i.e. weighing pans).
- A longitudinal scale is fitted to the main frame to facilitate fixing of the blocks along the
shaft at the required positions. The protractor with pointer is provided for fixing blocks at the
required orientations.
- The shaft is driven by 230 V, single phase, 50 Hz electric motor mounted under the main
frame through a belt. For static balancing, the assembly is suspended from the main frame by
nut-bolt arrangement and in this position the motor driving belt is removed. For dynamic
balancing of rotating mass system, the system is suspended from the main frame by two short
chains.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

To balance statically and dynamically a system of four rotating blocks. Block No. 1 is fixed
on the shaft. Block No. 3 is fixed at ____ cm along the shaft from block no. 1 at ___o. Find
out mass of each block. Also find the distance and orientations of block no. 2 and 4 along the
shaft with respect to block no. 1. The above problem is to be solved theoretically and the
results are to be verified experimentally.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

Static and dynamic balancing apparatus: Standard steel balls-150 nos.

4 revolving masses (blocks), spanner set, Allen key.

PROCEDURE:

A) Finding Unbalance Effect Of Each Block:

- Remove the drive belt. The value of ‘mr’ of each block is then determined by clamping
each block on the shaft.
- Weighing pans are suspended over the grooved discs. Initially block No.1 is selected and
fixed at a convenient position on the shaft. It is kept oriented vertically downward,
keeping the pointer at zero position. Steel balls of equal weight are placed into one of the
containers to balance the block on the shaft. When the block becomes horizontal, number
of balls ‘N’ will represent the value of ‘mr’ for the block.
- Repeat the same procedure for other blocks.

B) To Draw Force And Couple Polygons:

- Draw the force polygon to find the unknown orientations of the Block No. 2 and block
No. 4. Then draw couple polygon and find the distances for these blocks with respect to
block No. 1.

C) Assembly And Balancing:

- Four blocks are mounted on shaft at distances and orientations as found out from the
force and couple polygons.

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 M.E.S. College of Engineering, Pune-411001

- The shaft was connected to motor by means of belt and pulley.

- The shaft and motor assembly was suspended from the frame by means of two chains.
- The motor was run for some time and observations were made to ascertain the extent of
vibrations.

OBSERVATION TABLE:

Sr. No. Block Mass of balls required for 90°rotation of shaft with block (N)
1. 1 89

2. 2 100

3. 3 110

4. 4 108

We have
m r g = N m1 R g
Where,
N = Number of balls required for 90° rotation of shaft with block
m1 = Mass of each ball
R = Radius of pulley
m = Mass of block
r = Distance of CG of block from shaft axis

m1 and R constant.

mr α N

CALCULATION:

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RESULT TABLE:

Sr. No. Mass of Balls (N) Length (cm) Couple (Ncm) Angle
1. 89 0 0 0

2. 100 2.16 216 173

3. 110 8.66 1100 30

4. 108 10 836 38

CONCLUSION:

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QUESTIONS:

1. What do you mean by balancing? Why it is necessary for high-speed engines?

2. What are the reasons for unbalance in rotating components?
3. What do you understand by Internal and External balancing?
4. Explain how a single revolving mass is balanced by two masses revolving in different
planes?
5. Explain the method of balancing several masses rotating in the same plane?
6. Explain the method of balancing several masses rotating in several planes?
7. Explain the terms ‘Static balancing’ and ‘Dynamic balancing’?
8. What do you understand by primary and secondary balancing of reciprocating masses?
9. Explain the concept of direct and reverse cranks?
10. What is the importance of firing order in balancing of Multi-cylinder in-line engines?

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