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A balancing machine is a measuring tool used for

balancing rotating machine parts such as rotors
for electric motors, fans , turbines ,disc
brakes, disc drives, propellers and pumps. The
machine usually consists of two rigid pedestals,
with suspension and bearings on top supporting a
mounting platform. The unit under test is bolted to
the platform and is rotated either with a belt, air, or
end-drive. As the part is rotated, the vibration in the
suspension is detected with sensors and that
information is used to determine the amount of
unbalance in the part. Along with phase
information, the machine can determine how much
and where to add weights to balance the part«..
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There are two main types of balancing
machines,
î hard-bearing
î Soft-bearing.
The difference between them, however,
is in the suspension and not the
bearings.
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wn a hard-bearing
machine, balancing is
done at a frequency
lower than
the resonance
frequency of the
suspension. wn a soft-
bearing machine,
balancing is done at a
frequency higher than
the resonance frequency
of the suspension.

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A soft bearing machine is not
so versatile with respect to
amount of rotor weight to be
balanced. The preparation of
a soft-bearing machine for
individual rotor types is more
time consuming, because it
needs to be calibrated for
different part types. wt is very
suitable for high-production
volume and high-precision
balancing tasks.
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A hard-bearing machine is generally more versatile and can
handle pieces with greatly varying weights, because hard-
bearing machines are measuring centrifugal forces and
require only a one-time calibration. Only five geometric
dimensions need to be fed into the measuring unit and
the machine is already for use. Therefore, it works very
well for low- and middle-size volume production and in
repair workshops.
Hard- and soft-bearing machines can be automated to
remove weight automatically, such as by drilling or milling,
but hard-bearing machines are more robust and reliable.
Both machine principles can be integrated into
a production line and loaded by a robot arm or gantry,
requiring very little human control.
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3ith the rotating part resting on the bearings, a vibration
sensor is attached to the suspension. wn most soft-
bearing machines, a velocity sensor is used. This sensor
works by moving a magnet in relation to a fixed coil that
generates voltage proportional to the velocity of the
vibration. Accelerometers, which measure acceleration of
the vibration, can also be used. A photocell (sometimes
called a phaser), proximity sensor, or encoder is used to
determine the rotational speed, as well as the relative
phase of the rotating part. This phase information is then
used to filter the vibration information to determine the
amount of movement, or force, in one rotation of the part.
Also, the time difference between the phase and the
vibration peak gives the angle at which the unbalance
exists.
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Amount of unbalance and angle of unbalance give an
angle. wn a soft-bearing machine, trial weights must be
added in correction planes for each part. This is because
the location of the correction planes along the rotational
axis is unknown, and therefore it is unknown how much a
given amount of weight will affect the balance. By using
trial weights, you are adding a known weight at a known
angle and getting the unbalance vector caused by it. This
vector is then compared to the original unbalance vector
to find the resultant vector, which gives the weight and
angles needed to bring the part into balance. wn a hard-
bearing machine, the location of the correction plane
must be given in advance so that the machine always
knows how much a given amount of weight will affect the
balance.

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Static balancing machines differ from hard- and soft-

bearing machines in that the part is not rotated to
take a measurement. Rather than resting on its
bearings, the part rests vertically on its geometric
center. Once at rest, any movement by the part away
from its geometric center is detected by two
perpendicular sensors beneath the table and returned
as unbalance. Static balancers are often used to
balance parts with a diameter much larger than their
length, such as fans. The advantages of using a
static balancer are speed and price. However a static
balancer can only correct in one plane, so its
accuracy is limited.
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A blade balancing machine attempts to balance a part
in assembly, so minimal correction is required later
on. Blade balancers are used on parts such as
fans, propellers, and turbines. On a blade balancer,
each blade to be assembled is weighed and its
weight entered into a balancing software package.
The software then sorts the blades and attempts to
find the blade arrangement with the least amount of
unbalance.

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—ortable balancing machines are used to balance parts
that cannot be taken apart and put on a balancing
machine, usually parts that are currently in operation
such as turbines, pumps, and motors. —ortable
balancers come with displacement sensors, such as
accelerometers, and a photocell, which are then
mounted to the pedestals or enclosure of the running
part. Based on the vibrations detected, they calculate
the parts unbalance. Many times these devices
contain a spectrum analyzer so the part condition can
be monitored without the use of a photocell and non-
rotational vibration can be analyzed.
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Hofmann horizontal balancing machines provide

accurate readings, time after time. Sturdy design
combines the precision of piezoelectric transducers in
a reliable, hard-bearing support system on a solid-
steel base.
Standard designs include adjustable supports and
changeable bearings, enabling you to run different
rotor types on the same balancing machine. 3e
engineer custom and special designs, such as whip
sensors for flexible rotors and side spindles for
overhung rotors, to individual rotor specifications.
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Hofmann vertical balancing machines are

known for reliability and absolute accuracy.
Their well-engineered design combines a
high-precision spindle with the consistency of
a hard-bearing support system using
piezoelectric transducers. These are
mounted in a well-engineered, sturdy
housing, which protects the measuring
components and prevents vibration from
influencing unbalance readings.