BIZOMAT MAKEOS · Mechanics

Two-Plane (Dynamic) Balance Corrections

What correction masses in two planes give this rotor a running (dynamic) balance?

Correction masses and angles in two chosen correction planes that balance up to three masses lying in different planes along a rotor, by taking moments about one correction plane.

Open the calculatorRuns in your browser. No account needed.

How this tool works

Inputs, units and where to find them

InputUnitTypical source
Distance between correction planes A and BmmAxial distance between the two correction planes.
Masses (axial position measured from plane A)
Mass 1gFirst unbalanced mass.
Radius 1mmIts radius.
Angle 1°Its angle.
Axial position 1mmIts axial distance from plane A (negative if outside, beyond A).
Mass 2gSecond mass.
Radius 2mmIts radius.
Angle 2°Its angle.
Axial position 2mmIts axial position.
Mass 3gThird mass (0 if unused).
Radius 3mmIts radius.
Angle 3°Its angle.
Axial position 3mmIts axial position.
Correction radii
Correction radius in plane AmmRadius for the correction mass in plane A.
Correction radius in plane BmmRadius for the correction mass in plane B.

What each input means

Open an input to see what it is, its units, the worked example and the common mistakes, with a small diagram.

What this means: Distance between correction planes A and B
Illustration: Distance between correction planes A and BA bar with a dimension line and arrows from one end to the other, marking the length Distance between correction planes A and B.LExample: 400 mmDistance between correction planes A and B
What it is
The axial distance along the rotor between correction plane A and correction plane B, the two planes where correction masses will be fitted.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0.000001 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 400 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
Get it right
Choose planes where mass can actually be added or removed, such as the faces of a rotor or pulley.

Masses (axial position measured from plane A)

What this means: Mass 1
Illustration: Mass 1A weight resting on a scale; Mass 1 is how much matter it contains, in kilograms or grams.m₁Example: 40 gMass 1
What it is
An unbalanced mass somewhere along the rotor, with its radius, angle and axial position given in the same row. Zero leaves the row out.
Units and format
Enter a number in g: grams. The form accepts 0 g to 10000000 g. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 40 g as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
Get it right
Use only the eccentric mass; material symmetrical about the axis causes no unbalance.
What this means: Radius 1
Illustration: Radius 1A circle with a line from its centre to its edge, marking the radius Radius 1; the radius is half the diameter.r₁centre to edge= half the diameterExample: 100 mmRadius 1
What it is
The distance from the rotor axis to the centre of gravity of the matching mass.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 100 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
What this means: Angle 1
Illustration: Angle 1Two lines meeting at a point with an arc between them, marking the angle Angle 1.θ₁Example: 0°Angle 1
What it is
The angular position of the matching mass, measured from one reference line on the rotor in a consistent direction.
Units and format
Enter a number in °: degrees of angle. The form accepts -360° to 360°. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 0° as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
Get it right
Use the same reference line and direction for every mass; the correction angles are reported on that basis.
What this means: Axial position 1
Illustration: Axial position 1A bar with a dimension line and arrows from one end to the other, marking the length Axial position 1.z₁Example: 100 mmAxial position 1
What it is
The distance along the axis from correction plane A to the plane of the matching mass, positive towards plane B and negative for a mass lying beyond plane A.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100000 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 100 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
Get it right
Measure every position from plane A; a mass beyond plane B has a position greater than the distance between the planes.
What this means: Mass 2
Illustration: Mass 2A weight resting on a scale; Mass 2 is how much matter it contains, in kilograms or grams.m₂Example: 30 gMass 2
What it is
An unbalanced mass somewhere along the rotor, with its radius, angle and axial position given in the same row. Zero leaves the row out.
Units and format
Enter a number in g: grams. The form accepts 0 g to 10000000 g. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 30 g as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
What this means: Radius 2
Illustration: Radius 2A circle with a line from its centre to its edge, marking the radius Radius 2; the radius is half the diameter.r₂centre to edge= half the diameterExample: 100 mmRadius 2
What it is
The distance from the rotor axis to the centre of gravity of the matching mass.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 100 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
What this means: Angle 2
Illustration: Angle 2Two lines meeting at a point with an arc between them, marking the angle Angle 2.θ₂Example: 120°Angle 2
What it is
The angular position of the matching mass, measured from one reference line on the rotor in a consistent direction.
Units and format
Enter a number in °: degrees of angle. The form accepts -360° to 360°. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 120° as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
What this means: Axial position 2
Illustration: Axial position 2A bar with a dimension line and arrows from one end to the other, marking the length Axial position 2.z₂Example: 300 mmAxial position 2
What it is
The distance along the axis from correction plane A to the plane of the matching mass, positive towards plane B and negative for a mass lying beyond plane A.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100000 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 300 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
What this means: Mass 3
Illustration: Mass 3A weight resting on a scale; Mass 3 is how much matter it contains, in kilograms or grams.m₃Example: 0 gMass 3
What it is
An unbalanced mass somewhere along the rotor, with its radius, angle and axial position given in the same row. Zero leaves the row out.
Units and format
Enter a number in g: grams. The form accepts 0 g to 10000000 g. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 0 g as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
What this means: Radius 3
Illustration: Radius 3A circle with a line from its centre to its edge, marking the radius Radius 3; the radius is half the diameter.r₃centre to edge= half the diameterExample: 0 mmRadius 3
What it is
The distance from the rotor axis to the centre of gravity of the matching mass.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 0 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
What this means: Angle 3
Illustration: Angle 3Two lines meeting at a point with an arc between them, marking the angle Angle 3.θ₃Example: 0°Angle 3
What it is
The angular position of the matching mass, measured from one reference line on the rotor in a consistent direction.
Units and format
Enter a number in °: degrees of angle. The form accepts -360° to 360°. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 0° as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
What this means: Axial position 3
Illustration: Axial position 3A bar with a dimension line and arrows from one end to the other, marking the length Axial position 3.z₃Example: 0 mmAxial position 3
What it is
The distance along the axis from correction plane A to the plane of the matching mass, positive towards plane B and negative for a mass lying beyond plane A.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100000 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 0 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.

Correction radii

What this means: Correction radius in plane A
Illustration: Correction radius in plane AA circle with a line from its centre to its edge, marking the radius Correction radius in plane A; the radius is half the diameter.r_Acentre to edge= half the diameterExample: 100 mmCorrection radius in plane A
What it is
The radius at which the centre of gravity of the correction mass in plane A will sit.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0.000001 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 100 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
Effect on the result
The plane A correction mass is inversely proportional to this radius.
What this means: Correction radius in plane B
Illustration: Correction radius in plane BA circle with a line from its centre to its edge, marking the radius Correction radius in plane B; the radius is half the diameter.r_Bcentre to edge= half the diameterExample: 100 mmCorrection radius in plane B
What it is
The radius at which the centre of gravity of the correction mass in plane B will sit.
Units and format
Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0.000001 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
Example
The form opens with 100 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
Effect on the result
The plane B correction mass is inversely proportional to this radius.

Method and formulas

  1. Moments about plane A: U_B = −Σ (mᵢ rᵢ ∠θᵢ) zᵢ ÷ L.
  2. Forces: U_A = −Σ (mᵢ rᵢ ∠θᵢ) − U_B.
  3. Correction mass = |U| ÷ correction radius in each plane.
  4. Example: corrections of 27.042 g in plane A and 19.526 g in plane B.

Limitations

  • Rigid rotor below its first critical speed.
  • Measured unbalance from a balancing machine is more reliable than calculated item masses.
  • Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.

Typical uses

  • Work out corrections for a long rotor or roll
  • Balance a fixture with offset masses at different heights
  • Check bearing loads from couple unbalance

Who it is for

  • Maintenance engineers
  • Machine designers
  • Balancing technicians

What you get

  • Correction mass and angle in plane A
  • Correction mass and angle in plane B
  • Static and couple unbalance

Interpreting the result

  • If the correction in one plane is tiny, a single-plane correction may be enough.

References

  • Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 191–195. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.

Learn the Concepts Behind This Tool

These BIZOMAT Library readings explain the method this tool uses, with worked examples.

BIZOMAT tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.

Open the Two-Plane (Dynamic) Balance Corrections calculator