Balancing Equipment
Description
Balancing equipment are measuring tools used for correcting or testing the dynamic balance of rotating machine parts. The components of balancing equipment are rigid pedestals with suspensions and bearings on the top. The unit to be tested or measured is kept on the bearings and is rotated. The rotation of bearing is done by air- or belt- or end-drive. When the unit rotates, vibrations in the suspension are measured with the help of sensors, and this measurement is utilized to determine the amount of imbalance in the unit. Angular position and the imbalance amount in a particular correction plane can also be measured by using balancing equipment.
Types
The various types of balancing equipment are given below:
Soft-bearing balancing Equipment - Consists of a soft and flexible vibratory suspension system, which is used in the work support structures of the machine; balancing is done at a frequency higher than the resonance frequency of the suspension
Hard-bearing balancing Equipment - Are essentially of the same construction as soft bearing machines, except that their supports are significantly stiffer in the transverse horizontal direction; balancing is done at a frequency lesser than the resonance frequency of the suspension
Dynamic balancing Equipment - Distributes the mass of the rotating body equally around the axis of rotation; improves performance and accuracy, reduces vibration and wear
Static balancing Equipment - Differ from soft- and hard-bearing balancing machines in that the part does not rotate to take a measurement; the part, which is in a vertical position, rests on its geometric center
Applications
The applications of balancing equipment are given below:
Balancing equipment are used in automotive, aerospace, fluid power and general industrial applications
Blade balancers are used for balance measurement of turbine fans and propellers
Hard-bearing balancing equipments are used in production facilities
Soft-bearing balancing equipments are used in maintenance and repair facilities