® SKF Reliability Systems

The CMVA 60 Microlog Advanced

Balancing Wizard
by John Harrell

Introduction
The Advanced Balancing Wizard in the
CMVA 60 offers the experienced user all
of the features necessary to balance rotors
in the field or in the shop. Single and
two-plane balancing (dynamic) corrections
are computed as well as static and couple
corrections, which can be useful when
balancing narrow, overhung, or long
slender (flexible) rotors. (See Application
Note CM3028, titled "Precision Balancing
with the CMVA 55 Microlog".) Menus
have been redesigned to group the
calibration runs into the proper sequence
and to minimize menu traversing. The
same self-check features found in the Basic
Balancing Wizard are also included in the
Advanced Wizard to insure that valid
calibration data is gathered.

Balancing (Advanced) The SKF CMVA 60 Microlog.

In the Basic Balancing Wizard, which was
covered in Application Note (CM3041,
"The CMVA 60 Microlog Basic Balancing
Wizard"), the program Wizard “guides” the
first time user through each single plane
balancing step. Choices were limited to
Application Note
CM3042 Figure 1. Advanced Balance Setup Screen.
prevent confusion and to focus the user on
the basics.
Selecting the Advanced Balancing Wizard
from the Applications Menu allows the
more experienced user to
choose from a variety of
setup choices based on the
type of machine and
balancing problem
encountered. These
choices include: type of
measurement
(displacement, velocity or
acceleration); type of
average (synchronous time
averaging); number of
averages (0 to 999); units
for correction weight
(grams, ounces or pounds);
and single, two plane or
static couple solutions, (see
Figure 1). The Advanced
Wizard allows the trained
 “The CMVA 60 Microlog Advanced Balancing
2 www.skfreliability.com
Wizard”

user to act as the “guide” and select the best balancing

approach.
To highlight some of the unique features found in the
CMVA 60 Microlog Advanced Balancing Program, the two
plane procedure for balancing a typical direct-drive motor
driven fan will be described.

Two Plane Balancing

A detailed vibration analysis of the motor and fan should be
conducted to determine if the problem is really unbalance.
Once the decision is made to balance the fan, vibration
amplitude and phase measurements are collected at each
bearing of the fan, usually in the horizontal direction. In the
CMVA 60 Microlog Balancing Program, the two fan
bearing measurements are taken separately and are
identified and stored as the reference run data for Figure 2. Reference Run Data Collection Screen.
measurement Points A and B. A reference run data screen
is shown in Figure 2 and both Points A and B would be
similar.
After storing Reference Run data for both fan bearings, the
second step in the calibration sequence is to add a known
amount of trial weight to plane #1 and measure the resulting
vibration at bearings A and B. Usually plane #1 is the
balance plane closest to Bearing A and plane #2 is closest to
Bearing B although it makes no difference which fan
bearing is selected as Point A or B, or which plane is #1 or
#2, as long as those designations are consistent during
balancing.
The third calibration step is to remove the trial weight from
plane #1, attach it to plane #2 and measure the trial weight’s
effect (vibration amount and phase) at both bearings.
Before the Wizard can compute the two correction weights,
the amount and angle of both trial weights must be entered
Figure 3. Advanced Balancing Screen.
into the program.
The CMVA 60 Microlog Advanced Balancing screen
(Figure 3) shows the menu choices which follow the
sequence of steps – Setup, Reference Run, Trial Runs, Trim
Run(s) and Save (for future balance jobs and print out).
By selecting Menu 4, Trial Run, above, the correct sequence
of steps for the two Trial Runs is outlined, (Figure 4).
Every step in the trial run sequence is clearly shown on the
screen and the user simply follows the steps to complete the
calibration. Proper trial weight selection is very important
and the user can ask the Wizard to compute an estimate trial
weight (Menu 1) or manually select the two trial weights In
Trial Weight Setup (Menu 2). One trial run is completed
with the trial weight in plane #1, shown as Take TW 1 Data
– Points A and B (Menu 3 and 4). The second trial run is
completed after moving the trial weight to plane #2 and
again measuring the resulting vibration at both bearings A
and B (Menu 5 and 6). After the Correction weights are
computed and attached to the fan (Menu 7), the effect of the Figure 4. Trial Run Setup Screen.
 “The CMVA 60 Microlog Advanced Balancing
3 www.skfreliability.com
Wizard”

correction weights at both bearings is measured (Menu 8 STORE UP TO 20 BALANCE JOBS

and 9). If the vibration is still unacceptable after this run,
The ability to save any balance job for later recall could
trim balancing may be performed by returning to the Main
eliminate the need for calibration runs and save time on
balancing menu, (Figure 3).
future balancing jobs for this fan. Recalling the saved
Unique Features Found in the CMVA 60 machine allows the user to rebalance in the trim mode using
the stored influence coefficients without the calibration
Microlog Advanced Balancing Wizard runs.
Since balancing involves both “art” and “science”, the user OUTPUT BALANCING RESULTS TO PRINTER
needs the flexibility to choose the correct balancing
approach, sometimes even changing that approach in the Printouts provide a record of the entire balance job which is
middle of the job. Many balancing programs force the extremely important and can be filed as part of the
balancer to follow a sequence of steps that cannot be altered. machine’s history. Influence coefficients for each job are
If a mistake is made during calibration, or the decision is also printed and can be manually entered if the balance job
is deleted from the memory. If the Microlog is used for
made to change the balancing approach (from two plane to
shop balancing and the customer specifies a balance report,
single plane, for example), the entire sequence must be
the printout shows original and final readings as well as the
repeated. The advanced balancing Wizard offers many
original and trim weights used to balance. Residual
choices to help the user overcome unexpected problems,
unbalance (ounce inches or gram inches) can be quickly
avoid costly errors, correct mistakes, and to balance any computed based on this data.
rotor quickly and easily.
SYNCHRONOUS TIME AVERAGING
TAKE DATA IN ANY ORDER
Stable and repeatable amplitude and phase readings are
Calibration runs may be done in any order. For example, if essential in balancing. Synchronous time averaging helps
there is a weight already attached to plane #1, Trial Run 1 stabilize the readings, especially if there are machines
readings could be collected first. Removing the trial weight nearby that are running close to the same RPM. Increasing
and entering its amount and angular location could then be the number of averages also enhances the readings which
done before collecting Reference Run readings. translates into a more accurate calibration and fewer trim
runs.
In two plane balancing using only one accelerometer,
bearing B data can be collected before bearing A, which AUTOMATICALLY CHECKS FOR 30-30 RULE IN BOTH
saves time since the transducer must be moved to collect SINGLE PLANE AND TWO PLANE PROBLEMS
data at both fan bearings for each calibration run. (A better The 30-30 rule means that the trial weight should produce a
solution for two plane balancing is the SKF Microlog Field change of either 30% in amplitude or 30 degrees in phase
Balancing Accessory Kit that contains two accelerometers, from the reference run. If the 30-30 rule is not satisfied, a
an “A/B” switch, cables, scale and balancing weights.) warning message is displayed giving the user the
opportunity to move the trial weight and retake the data or
MANUALLY ENTER DATA
There may be occasions when it is necessary to switch from
two plane to single plane balancing. A common method to
determine if a fan is a single or two plane problem is to
calculate the L/D ratio. (Length of the fan, excluding the
shaft, divided by the Diameter. If the L/D is greater than
0.5, it is considered to be a two plane problem.) However,
some overhung fans whose L/D is > 0.5, respond better to
the single plane approach which may be apparent only after
attempting a two plane balance. The flexibility to switch to
a single plane by manually entering data without
recalibrating saves balancing time and is very useful.

If bad data is collected, storing Point A as Point B for

example, manual reentry of the correct data saves additional
runs. If the influence coefficients are known, they can be
manually entered into the Wizard and the fan can then be
trim balanced without additional calibration runs. Figure 5. 30-30 Warning for Trial Run Screen.
 “The CMVA 60 Microlog Advanced Balancing
Wizard”
ignore the warning and proceed with balancing, (see Figure
5). Even experienced balancers sometimes fail to check for
the trial weight’s effect and waste time and runs because of
poor calibration data.
VIEW ALL RUN DATA ON ONE SCREEN
After calibration, Reference and Trial runs are conveniently
displayed on one screen. If the 30-30 warning is displayed
(as described above), this run data screen shows all
calibration data and helps the user decide if the 30-30
warning can be ignored. Some large motors are allowed
only 3 or 4 start/stops in a 24 hour period and retaking the
data could be more costly than continuing to balance. For
example, the phase change may have been only 28 degrees
and the amplitude change only 25% causing a 30-30
warning from the Wizard. In this case, the user may elect to
continue balancing and override the warning rather than
wait 6 hours to retake the data.
TRIAL WEIGHTS FOREVER – YES OR NO?
On some fans, the only convenient way to attach trial
weights is to weld them on. Removing the trial weight(s)
before attaching the correction weight(s) takes extra time, so
the Wizard gives the user a choice in the balancing setup to
leave all trial weights on the fan "forever" rather than
remove them. By answering “No”, which is the normal
balancing procedure, all trial weights are removed before
attaching the correct weight(s).
On rare occasions, it may be necessary to remove weight
(grind or drill) rather than add weight as a trial weight.
Removing weight is permanent ("forever") and answering
"Yes" during setup covers this possibility.
ALLOWS USER TO CHOOSE CORRECTION WEIGHT METHOD
Most balancing programs compute the correct weight in one
of two ways:
1. As one total cumulative weight that is moved on the
fan and adjusted in amount and angle during the
trim runs.
OR:
2. As one initial correction weight and one or more
additional trim weights.
Depending on the procedure for attaching correction
weights to the rotor (welding, C-clamps, nuts, bolts, and
washers), one method may be more convenient than the
other. The Wizard displays both cumulative and trim
corrections which allows the user to choose the best method
of correction without any other computation or vector
diagram.
SPLIT WEIGHT COMPUTATION AVAILABLE USING F1 “HOT
KEY”
4 www.skfreliability.com
Since fans and other machines have blades, fins, or holes
spaced around the rotor, it is often necessary to split the
correction weight(s) on the blades or in the holes. Guessing
or estimating how to split the weights usually costs extra
runs. By using the Wizard’s F1 “hot key”, the split weight
program is immediately available for both single and two
plane balancing.
CHOICE OR STATIC COUPLE OR DYNAMIC CORRECTIONS
Any two plane dynamic balance solution can be separated
into a Static correction and a Couple correction. Written as
an “equation” this statement becomes:
Dynamic Correction = Static Correction + Couple
Correction
In a normal two plane problem, the Wizard computes two
correction weights (the dynamic correction), one weight for
plane #1 and one for plane #2. Most fans and other similar
rotors respond to this two plane correction and balancing is
usually straightforward and easily accomplished.
However, some rotors do not respond to the two plane
correction. Very narrow rotors, some overhung rotors, and
long, slender, “flexible” rolls often require another
approach. Since Static + Couple is equal to the Dynamic,
any rotor, but especially the rotors mentioned previously,
can be corrected as part Static and part Couple. The
advanced Wizard will compute both the Dynamic and Static
Couple corrections automatically by answering "Yes" in the
setup. (Static–Dynamic Mode: Yes.) Normal two plane
calibration is completed and dynamic correction weights are
computed and displayed. The Wizard also displays the
Static correction which is attached to the plane near the
center of the rotor – the plane closest to the center of
gravity. Trim balancing continues until there is no more
static unbalance remaining. The final correction weight is a
Couple, which is two equal weights placed in the end planes
of the rotor (Planes #1 and #2), 180 degrees apart. (For a
more detailed discussion of the Static Couple approach, see
Application Note-CM3028 "Precision Balancing with the
CMVA 55 Microlog".)
The addition of the Static Couple solution to the CMVA 60
Microlog Balancing Wizard gives the user a choice of how
to balance any rotor, single plane, two plane or static couple.
Summary
The CMVA 60’s "intelligent team" of Wizards, found in the
Applications menu (Figure 6), offer special Vibration
Analysis and Balancing tools to assist the user in solving
and correcting machinery problems. The Advanced
Balancing Wizard is specifically designed to help the
experienced user solve real word balancing problems in the
shortest amount of time. A wide array of choices are
available to accomplish this mission:
 ®

"The CMVA 60
Microlog
Advanced
Balancing
Wizard"

by John Harrell

Figure 6. The Applications Menu.

• Balance using single, two plane or static couple techniques.

• Trial weights – remove or leave on "forever" and automatic 30-30 rule check.
• Correction weights – one cumulative weight; initial plus trim weights; or split
SKF Reliability Systems weights.
4141 Ruffin Road
San Diego, California 92123
• Identify and store any balance job and print balance report.
USA • Recall stored job for trim balance without calibration runs.
Telephone (+1) 858-496-3400
FAX (+1) 858-496-3531 • Manual data entry of run data or influence coefficients.
• Synchronous time averaging to ensure stable and repeatable readings.
Web: www.skfreliability.com
The Advanced Balancing Wizard is a powerful balancing program, simple to setup and use,
offering flexibility and a variety of choices to quickly solve any balancing problem in the
field or in the shop.

Although care has been taken to

assure the accuracy of the data
compiled in this publication, SKF
does not assume any liability for
errors or omissions. SKF
reserves the right to alter any part
of this publication without prior
notice.

• SKF is a registered trademark

of SKF USA Inc.

• All other trademarks are the

property of their respective
owners.

CM3042 (8-00)
Copyright © 2000 by
SKF Reliability Systems
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED