Application Note

The CMVA 60 SKF Microlog Basic

Balancing Wizard
By John Harrell

Introduction
The CMVA 60 SKF Microlog Basic Balancing Wizard adds a new
dimension to precision balancing, whether in the field or in the shop.
The basic balancing tutorial, which covers single plane balancing,
guides the novice through the sequence of steps necessary to
achieve excellent results on the first try. Setup choices are limited in
the beginner’s tutorial to focus on the basic steps of balancing and to
prevent the user from being confused or intimidated by the many
menu choices available in the advanced program. The Advanced Bal-
ancing Wizard contains the features found in all SKF Micrologs, but
adds, among other features, the static couple computation that is
very useful for balancing narrow and overhung rotors (see SKF Con-
dition Monitoring Application Note CM3028 Precision Balancing with
the CMVA 55 SKF Microlog for more information on static couple bal-
ancing).
Both basic and advanced programs incorporate self-check fea-
tures to ensure that valid calibration data is collected. Since the first
step in balancing is to analyze the machine’s vibration, the addition of
the Run Up/Coast Down and Bump Test Wizards simplify the analysis
Fig. 1. The CMVA 60 SKF Microlog.
process if a resonant frequency is suspected at or near the machine’s
RPM.

Balancing (Basic)
The beginner’s Balancing Wizard is the first choice in the Applica-
tions menu († fig. 2). This program is designed to successfully
guide the first time user through the basic single plane balancing
steps.
Step one is to select the balance job, menu 1. If a previously saved
job is selected, the wizard guides the user through a rebalancing
operation. Selecting a new balance job allows the user to identify
(name) the machine being balanced for later storage.

Fig. 2. Balancing (Basic) menu.

To begin balancing, the user selects only the measurement type (dis-
placement, velocity or acceleration), input calibration (mV/EU) and
units for trial and calibration weights (grams, ounces or pounds).
Prior to the reference run, the following screen is displayed.
Fig. 3. Steps prior to balancing.
Reference run data is then collected and stored. In addition to the
vibration and phase at 1x RPM, the overall vibration and 2x RPM
vibration and phase are also displayed († fig. 4). This additional
information can be used to determine if misalignment, looseness or
other problems are present. If unbalance is the only problem, then
the overall vibration should be approximately equal to the 1x RPM
amplitude and the 2x RPM vibration amplitude should be low. A quick
glance at the reference run data indicates that unbalance is the most
likely cause. If further analysis is required, FFT data (signatures) and
phase data may also be collected to confirm that unbalance is the
problem.
Fig. 4. Reference run data collection screen.
2
After sorting the initial unbalance readings, the next step is to attach
a trial weight to the rotor. The user can select a trial weight or ask the
Wizard to compute a safe trial weight based on rotor weight and
speed. Because proper trial weight selection is very important, the
SKF Microlog automatically checks after the trial run to see if the
30-30 rule was passed. If the trial weight did not produce a change
of either 30 degrees in phase or 30% change in amplitude from the
initial data, a warning message is displayed giving the operator an
opportunity to change the trial weight amount or location and retake
the data.
Fig. 5. Trial weight selection screen.
The following screen († fig. 6) reminds the operator to install the
trial weight using the proper angle convention. After attaching the
trial weight, the machine is brought up to operating speed and data
is collected and stored.
Fig. 6. Angle convention for weights.
If the trial weight did not produce the 30% or 30° change, the SKF
Microlog displays a message that warns the operator that the trial
weight may not be enough to ensure an accurate calibration. The
user can either ignore the warning (if the change is almost 30% or
30°) or reposition or add additional trial weight and retake the trial
run data. In cases where the machine may be limited to three or four
starts/stops in a 24 hour period, this flexibility to override the 30-30
warning is very important. The trial run data at 1x RPM († fig. 7)
shows that the trial weight did produce the required change when
compared to the 1x RPM reference run data († fig. 4).

Fig. 8. Computed correction weight screen.

Fig. 7. Trial run data screen.

Based on the trial run data († fig. 6) and the amount and angle of
the trial weight, the Wizard computes the correction weight needed
to balance the rotor.
The final balancing step is to attach the computed correction
weight to the rotor and measure the resulting trim run vibration. The
Fig. 9. Correction weight screen.
SKF Microlog displays the correct weight († fig. 8) after reminding
the operator to remove the trial weight before the trim run
(† fig. 9). If it is necessary to split the one correction weight into two
weights, the split weight option can be selected.
After each trim run, the Wizard computes an additional trim
weight that can be added to the rotor to further reduce the vibration.
Again, if the trim weights cannot be added at the correct angle, then
the program performs the necessary calculations to split the trim
weight into two weights († fig. 10).

Fig. 10. Trim run calculations screen.

3
The results of the balancing job can be saved and printed for future Unique features of the Basic Balancing Wizard tutorial include:
reference. Saving each balance job allows the user to rebalance any
rotor by recalling the saved machine and performing a trim balance • Aimed at the first time user (beginner)
without calibration runs (up to 20 balance jobs may be saved). If the • User required to input only basic setup information
SKF Microlog is used for shop balancing, then the balance report • Detailed instructions outline each balancing step
provides important information to the customer about initial and • Synchronous time averaging enhances 1x RPM data
final readings and the initial and trim correction weights used to bal- • Computes safe trial weight
ance. The residual unbalance (ounce inches or gram inches) can be • Automatically checks 30-30 rule
quickly computed using the final trim corrections and the radius of • User can store and recall any balancing job
correction. Also, computed influence coefficients are shown, which • Prints balance report for any stored job
could be used for future balance jobs on similar rotors. • Splits weights, if necessary
• Detailed prompts remind user to:
– Perform vibration analysis prior to balancing
– Use correct angle convention (against rotation)
– Remove trial weight after the trial run
– Add trim weight in addition to initial correction weight

Please contact:
SKF USA Inc.
Condition Monitoring Center – San Diego
5271 Viewridge Court · San Diego, California 92123 USA
Tel: +1 858-496-3400 · Fax: +1 858 496-3531
Web: www.skf.com/cm

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© SKF Group 2011
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PUB CM3041 EN · July 2011