B

Background noise
See Noise.

Backlash
A condition where a machine part can move independently of the part
driving it e.g. a gear that can rotate freely a slight distance without
being obstructed by the pinion, or a pulley that can rotate slightly to
take up slackness in a belt. Backlash is caused by looseness in a drive
train and leads to motion inaccuracy.

Balanced
The condition where the axis of rotation and mass centerline of a
rotating part are coincident. See also Unbalance.

Balancing
The adjustment of the mass distribution in a rotating part so that the
axis of rotation and mass centerline of the rotating part are coincident.
See also Correction weights and Unbalance.

Balance weights
See Correction weights.

Ball pass frequency

The speed at which bearing rolling elements pass a certain point on the
inner or outer race of the bearing. The ball pass frequencies for the
inner and outer races are often abbreviated as “BPFI” and “BPFO”
respectively. The vibration spectrum of a defective bearing often has
peaks at the BPFI and BPFO frequencies. The BPFI is usually about
0.6 times the operating speed multiplied by the number of rolling
elements, and the BPFO is usually about 0.4 times the same quantity.

Copyright  2003 COMMTEST INSTRUMENTS 64 Beginner’s Guide To Machine Vibration