Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Mechanical Response of a Rotatory Balancing System for Industrial In-Situ Calibration

The present work introduces the validation of an unorthodox solution for the balancing of rigid rotors: SimMov, a piece of customized equipment for the transport of specific machinery to carry out the balancing process in situ. For such purpose, the FE models used to assess the mechanical response of the structure are exposed. The numerical results were compared, in terms of acceleration, with experimental measurements obtained with the SimMov equipment. The acceleration response was also tested through standard balancers with a permanent and rigid base, which is the usual practice for similar machinery. Moreover, a simple rotor dynamics model was solved to verify the structure's critical operating behavior. These solutions were used as input data for the FE models employed to predict the structure's response. In the FE models, high-order shell elements were used to solve modal problems using the Lanczos block algorithm. The experimental results were probed and compared at critical points, predefined by the numerical models. Data acquisition was performed with six MEMS sensors (designed for industrial applications). A sampling rate of 10.00 kHz was employed. Data processing was performed using power spectral density (Welch's method). The comparison of results demonstrated the correct functioning of SimMov for the unbalance level considered as allowable by the machine manufacturer.