Some Experiments on the Balancing of Small Flexible Rotors: Part II-Experiments

Abstract

A theoretical balancing technique was proposed by Bishop and Gladwell (***2) and an experimental investigation of its usefulness is reported. Experiments conducted on the laboratory scale were believed necessary before full-scale tests on large industrial rotors (such as alternator rotors) could be properly justified. The thin shafts which were used clearly showed the importance of initial bend (as opposed to mass unbalance) as a source of forced vibration. This required some additions to the original theory, and they formed the subject of Part I of this paper (published in the previous issue of this Journal, March 1963, p. 114). Part II contains an account of the actual experiments and of the test apparatus. It is concluded that the theory is fully borne out on the laboratory scale.