How does the balancing process work in horizontal balancing machines?

The balancing process in horizontal balancing machines consists of a series of steps that are not as complex as the part itself but require a great deal of attention. First, the rotor to be balanced is correctly and securely placed on the machine's bearings using appropriate mounting fixtures and adapters. This step is key to an accurate measurement because the part must be supported in the machine just as it is in its actual operating conditions.

After the part is secured to the machine, the rotor begins to spin. The machine's sensitive sensors detect the vibrations and forces that occur during rotation. This data is analyzed by the machine's advanced software to precisely determine the amount and angle of unbalance in the two planes of the rotor. This information clearly shows the operator how much weight needs to be added or removed and at what point. Once the correction is complete, the part is spun again to check the residual unbalance. This cycle continues until the part falls within the tolerances specified by international standards like ISO 21940. This process ensures the part operates more efficiently and has a longer service life.

The critical detail specific to horizontal machines is that the rotor is supported by its own journals on cylindrical roller supports (cradles). For this reason, the roundness and roughness quality of the journal surfaces are directly reflected in the measurement; geometric runout on the journal can be perceived as unbalance. To separate this error, the part is turned 180 degrees and measured again (indexing) and the journal-related component is separated from the unbalance.

The drive is selected as belt or cardan (shaft) according to the rotor's weight and journal surface; heavy shafts with high moments of inertia are rotated by cardan drive. The machine simultaneously measures the static and couple components in the two planes and generally gives an independent amount and angle for the correction planes at the shaft ends. As corrections are completed, the part is checked until it comes down to the ISO 21940-11 tolerance. MBS Balance horizontal machines provide repeatable results on long shafts and rotors with low cross-effect and a high unbalance reduction ratio.