Why balancing is necessary

Bearing Bearing

As the shaft rotates at an angular speed ω, a centrifugal ω

ω
force equivalent to mrω2 is produced and it acts radially
r m r
outwards. This centrifugal forces causes,

(a) Steady stress in the revolution shaft

(b) Alternating stresses in supports which give rise to vibrations.
m rω2

These forces tend to wear only one side of the shaft and the whole circumference of the bearings.
The dynamic forces which arise from any lack of balance, not only increases the bearing loads, but also sets up
unpleasant and even dangerous vibrations.

Therefore, it is very essential to balance rotating moments in order to arrest vibrations and to reduce wearing of
supporting bearings.
 Static balancing
When a shaft carries a series of masses such that the centre of gravity of the combined system is on the axis of rotation
it is said to be “statically” balanced. Such a system may nevertheless apply dynamic forces (resultant force) to the
bearings, when it is rotated.

Centre of
Bearing Bearing Bearing Bearing Centre of
Rotation Rotation
m
r
r
X
X CG CG
r r r r
m m

unbalance Statically balance

Statically balanced by adding Yellow mass (m) on the opposite side
of the same plane. So that the CG of the combined system is on the
rotating axis
 Dynamic balancing
 The centre of mass of the system should lie on the axis of rotation (in other words it must be statically balanced).
 The resultant couple (moment) due to dynamic forces (centrifugal forces) about any plane, when rotating must be zero.

X X mrω2 mrω2
Centre of
Bearing Bearing Bearing Bearing Centre of
Rotation Rotation
ω ω m
ω r ω r
X
X CG CG
r r r r
m m

X X

Reference mrω2 mrω2 Reference mrω2 mrω2

plane (X-X) plane (X-X)
X (Statically unbalanced) X
- = 0 (Statically balanced)
Moment at x − x=Centrifugal force × distance Moment at x − x=𝑚𝑟 𝜔 X −𝑚𝑟 𝜔 X
2 2

∴ Moment at x − x =0 (𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 )

 Statically balanced but Dynamically unbalanced

Centre of
Bearing Bearing Bearing Bearing Centre of
Rotation Rotation
m
r
r
X
X CG CG
r r r r
m m

unbalance Statically balance

Statically balanced by adding Yellow mass (m) on the opposite side
of the other plane. So that the CG of the combined system is on the
rotating axis

 But when this system rotates, the centrifugal forces created by masses produces a couple, which tends to rock
the shaft in its bearing.
 Therefore, this system is statically balanced but dynamically unbalanced.
BALANCIN
g
OF
ENGINES
ω Piston – Crank Mechanism

TDC

X
Dynamically equivalent system for a connecting rod
M
If the following conditions are satisfied by the equivalent two mass system, the CG

connecting rod is dynamically equivalent to two mass system,

1) The total mass must be equal to that of the rigid body 𝑚1 +𝑚2 =𝑀
Ideal connecting Rod

2) The centre of gravity must coincide with rigid body 𝑚1 𝑎=𝑚2 𝑏

a b
3) The total moment of inertia about an axis through the centre of gravity must
CG
be equal to that of the rigid body. 2
𝑚1 𝑎 + 𝑚2 𝑏 = 𝑀 𝑘
2 2
m1 m2
Mass-less link
K is the radius of gyration about CG
L

Two-mass system, dynamically

𝑀𝑏 𝑀a equivalent to ideal connecting rod
𝑚1= 𝑚2 = 2
𝑘 =𝑎𝑏
𝐿 𝐿
For crank For connecting rod
ω
Balancing of engine

Rotating Mass
Balancing

Reciprocating Mass
Balancing
Balancing of engine

Rotating Mass –
Balancing
1) Masses are in a single plane
2) Masses are in different
planes

Reciprocating Mass
- Balancing
1) Balancing of rotating masses - Masses are in a single plane

m2r2ω2 ω
ω m1r1ω2 Force polygon

γ
m2 m2
m1
r2 β r1
m1 m2r2ω2
α m3r3ω2
β
γ

r3
Resultant
m3 m3 θ force
= m1r1ω2
Balancing α
force
(MRω2)
m3r3ω2
Thin Disc Thin Disc

Unbalanced system

If the system is balanced, there is no resultant force, so the force needed to balance the system must be
equal and opposite of the resultant force (the vector that closes the polygon)
1) Balancing of rotating masses - Masses are in a single plane
ω
Force polygon
Resultant
γ
m2 force
m1
m2r2ω2
(θ-180) m3r3ω2
β
θ
R

M Resultant
m3 θ force
Balanced system = m1r1ω2
Balancing α
force
Thin Disc Balancing (MRω2)
force
(MRω2)

The result obtained would be the same whatever the value of ω and when ω = 0, we have static balance. In order to make
the solution easier, we may make ω = 1 and calculate Mr for each vector This is called Mr polygon
2) Balancing of rotating masses - Masses are in different planes

m1r1ω2 m1r1ω2 m1r1ω2 m1r1ω2

X X m2r2ω2 m2r2ω2
Centre of Centre of
X1 Rotation X1 Rotation

ω r1 m1 ω r1 m2 m1
r1 r1
ω ω

r2 m2 r2 r2 m2 r2
m1
X2
X2
Reference m2r2ω2 m2r2ω 2
m2r2ω2 m2r2ω2
plane (X-X)
X X m1r1ω2 m1r1ω2
Reference +- -= 0
- 0 (Statically unbalanced) plane (X-X)
(Statically balanced)
- 0
1 2
0
Balancing of engine

Rotating Mass -
Balancing

Reciprocating Mass
- Balancing
Balancing of reciprocating masses

Piston

𝑓 𝑃 − 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒

( M)
Method of representative crank * Read balancing of reciprocating masses in your text book (5.7 & 5.8)

Primary Component of the inertia force ( FP ) Secondary Component of the inertia force ( FS )
2
𝐹 𝑃 =𝑀 𝑅 𝜔 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 𝐹 𝑠=
𝑀 𝑅 𝜔 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃
𝑛
=
𝑀
4𝑛 ( )
2
𝑅 ( 2 𝜔 ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃

ω 𝑀
𝑀
4 𝑛 2ω
R R
𝜃 2 𝜃
Line of stroke θ 2θ
Line of stroke

𝜔 2 𝜔

Method of Representative crank for primary components Method of Representative crank for secondary component
Balancing of Reciprocating Mass - by using CONTRA-ROTATING MASSES method

 With these, the centrifugal force produces two components,

1) one in line with the cylinder.
2) one normal to it.
 The centrifugal force produced by each is
 Resolving horizontally, we see the horizontal components cancel
 Resolving horizontally vertically, the vertical components add up
to and so cancel the force produced by the piston.
 The mass and radius can be changes so long as the total product
of (MR)/2 is the same.

For the balance of primary components, the contra-rotating masses revolve at the crank speed. For secondary components the contra-
rotating cranks must rotate at twice the crank speed (2ω) in order to satisfy the double angle requirement. It was argued earlier that the
secondary mass is hence M/4 so the masses on contra rotating wheels must be M/8.