Low-Speed Balancing Machine for Rigid Rotors

Low-Speed Balancing Machine for Rigid Rotors

Rotating machinery in an unbalanced condition will result in unacceptable vibrations during operation. 

These vibrations lead to excessive wear and possible damage to the machine depending on the amount of unbalance and the duration of operation. 

For in-service rotors, unbalance can be caused by loss or change of mass due to damage, wear, or deposits. 

Turbine spindles are the most likely candidates for a low speed balance depending on their flexibility.

Due to their larger relative stiffness and large diameters, low pressure (LP) spindles are especially well-suited for a low speed balance.

Goals & Conditions for Low-Speed Balancing

Best application is to rigid rotors

Balancing is carried out in two or three planes

Addresses translation and couple (rocking) rigid body modes

Low speed rigid body forces and moments are compensated by balancing

Does not resolve inner moments that can only be observed at high speed due to the centrifugal force effects of local mass eccentricities