Single plane balancing

Single plane balancing

Single plane balancing also called Static balancing method. This occurs when there is no resulting centrifugal force and the center of gravity is on the axis of rotation. A condition of static unbalance exists when the mass center does not lie on the axis of rotation. Static unbalance is also known as Force Unbalance. As defined, static unbalance is an ideal condition, it has the additional condition that the axis of rotation be parallel to the central principal axis. Static unbalance can be corrected with a single weight. Ideally the correction is made in the plane of the mass center and is sufficient to shift the mass center onto the axis of rotation. It is important to align the correction with the initial unbalance to move the mass center directly towards the axis of rotation. Static unbalance can be detected on rotating or non-rotating balancers.

Single-Plane Balancing is best represented by thinking of a disk which is placed on a machine and rotated to a specific speed. If the disk were to have a hole located off the geometric center, it would be out of balance because the hole would shift the center of gravity off the center of rotation. This unbalance can be thought of as a weightless rod connected at one end to a shaft and having a large iron ball equal in weight to the amount of unbalance, at the other end. The unbalanced weight (mass) rotates in a single plane of rotation.

Single plane machines are ideal choice for balancing components with large diameters to thickness ratios i.e. disc type components, such as flywheels, clutch parts, brake discs, pulleys, fans or gears.