Dynamics of Machinery

BALANCING
INTRODUCTION
The balancing of rotating bodies is important to avoid vibrations. In heavy industrial machines
such as steam turbines and electrical generators, vibrations could cause catastrophic failure.
Vibrations are noisy and uncomfortable and when car wheel is out of balance, the ride is quite
unpleasant. In a case of simple wheels, balancing simply involves moving the center of gravity
to the center of rotation, but as we shall see for longer and complex bodies, there is more to it.
For a body to be completely balanced it must have two things,

1. Static Balance: this occurs when there is no resultant centrifugal force and the center of
gravity is on the axis of rotation.
2. Dynamic Balancing: This results when there is no turning moment along the axis.

BALANCING:
Balancing is the technique of correcting or eliminating unwanted inertia forces or moments in
rotating or reciprocating masses and is achieved by changing the location of the mass centers.

The objectives of balancing an engine are to ensure:

1. That the centre of gravity of the system remains stationery during a complete revolution of
the crank shaft and

2. That the couples involved in acceleration of the different moving parts balance each other.

Types of balancing:

a) Static Balancing:

i) Static balancing is a balance of forces due to action of gravity.

ii) A body is said to be in static balance when its centre of gravity is in the axis of
rotation.

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b) Dynamic balancing:

i) Dynamic balance is a balance due to the action of inertia forces.

ii) A body is said to be in dynamic balance when the resultant moments or couples,
which involved in the acceleration of different moving parts is equal to zero.

iii) The conditions of dynamic balance are met, the conditions of static balance are also
met.

In rotor or reciprocating machines many a times unbalance of forces is produced due to inertia
forces associated with the moving masses. If these parts are not properly balanced, the
dynamic forces are set up and forces not only increase loads on bearings and stresses in the
various components, but also unpleasant and dangerous vibrations.

Balancing is a process of designing or modifying machinery so that the unbalance is reduced to

an acceptable level and if possible eliminated entirely.

BALANCING OF ROTATING MASSES

When a mass moves along a circular path, it experiences a centripetal acceleration and a force
is required to produce it. An equal and opposite force called centrifugal force acts radially
outwards and is a disturbing force on the axis of rotation. The magnitude of this remains
constant but the direction changes with the rotation of the mass.

In a revolving rotor, the centrifugal force remains balanced as long as the centre of the mass of
rotor lies on the axis of rotation of the shaft. When this does not happen, there is an
eccentricity and an unbalance force is produced. This type of unbalance is common in steam
turbine rotors, engine crankshafts, rotors of compressors, centrifugal pumps etc.

The unbalance forces exerted on machine members are time varying, impart vibratory motion
and noise, there are human discomfort, performance of the machine deteriorate and
detrimental effect on the structural integrity of the machine foundation.

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Balancing involves redistributing the mass which may be carried out by addition or removal of
mass from various machine members

Balancing of rotating masses can be of

1. Balancing of a single rotating mass by a single mass rotating in the same plane.

2. Balancing of a single rotating mass by two masses rotating in different planes.

3. Balancing of several masses rotating in the same plane

4. Balancing of several masses rotating in different planes

CASE 1. BALANCING OF A SINGLE ROTATING MASS BY A SINGLE MASS

ROTATING IN THE SAME PLANE

Consider a disturbing mass M which is attached to a shaft rotating at ω rad/s.

Let r = radius of rotation of mass M

= distance between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the center of gravity mass M

The centrifugal force exerted by mass M on the shaft is given by,

Fc1= M ω² r ------------ ①

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This force acts radially outwards and produces bending moment on the shaft. In order to
counteract the effect of this force Fc1, a balancing mass B may be attached in the same plane of
rotation of the disturbing mass M such that the centrifugal forces due to the two masses are
equal and opposite.

Let b = radius of rotation of mass B

= distance between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the center of gravity mass B

The centrifugal force exerted by mass M on the shaft is given by,

Fc2= B ω² b ------------ ②

Equating equations (1) and (2), we get

M ω² r = B ω² b

B= M r/ b is the balancing mass which has to be attached diagonally opposite to M

CASE 2: BALANCING OF A SINGLE ROTATING MASS BY TWO MASSES ROTATING IN DIFFERENT

PLANES.

There are two possibilities while attaching two balancing masses:

1. The plane of the disturbing mass may be in between the planes of the two balancing
masses.

2. The plane of the disturbing mass may be on the left or right side of two planes
containing the balancing masses.

In order to balance a single rotating mass by two masses rotating in different planes which are
parallel to the plane of rotation of the disturbing mass i) the net dynamic force acting on the
shaft must be equal to zero, i.e. the centre of the masses of the system must lie on the axis of
rotation and this is the condition for static balancing ii) the net couple due to the dynamic

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forces acting on the shaft must be equal to zero, i.e. the algebraic sum of the moments about
any point in the plane must be zero. The conditions i) and ii) together give dynamic balancing.

Consider the disturbing mass m lying in a plane A which is to be balanced by two rotating
masses m1 and m2 lying in two different planes M and N which are parallel to the plane A as
shown.

Let r, r1 and r2 be the radii of rotation of the masses in planes A, M and N respectively.

Let L1, L2 and L be the distance between A and M, A and N, and M and N respectively.

Now,

The centrifugal force exerted by the mass m in plane A will be,

Fc = m ω² r ---------- (1)

Similarly, the centrifugal force exerted by the mass m1 in plane M will be,

Fc1 = m1 ω² r1 ------------ (2)

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And the centrifugal force exerted by the mass m2 in plane N will be,

Fc2 = m2 ω² r2 ------------ (3)

For the condition of static balancing

Fc = Fc1 + Fc2

m ω² r = m1 ω² r1 + m2 ω² r2

m r = m1 r1 + m2 r2

Now, to determine the magnitude of balancing force in the plane ‘M’ or the dynamic force at
the bearing ‘O’ of a shaft, take moments about ‘ P ’ which is the point of intersection of the
plane N and the axis of rotation.

Therefore,

Fc1×L = Fc × L2

m1 ω² r1 L = m ω² r L2

m1 r1 L = m r L2

m1 r1 = m r (L2/L)

Similarly, in order to find the balancing force in plane ‘N’ or the dynamic force at the bearing ‘P’
of a shaft, take moments about ‘ O ’ which is the point of intersection of the plane M and the
axis of rotation.

Fc2×L = Fc × L1

m2 ω² r2 L = m ω² r L1

m2 r2 = m r (L1/L)

For dynamic balancing equations (5) or (6) must be satisfied along with equation (4).

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CASE 2(II): WHEN THE PLANE OF THE DISTURBING MASS LIES ON ONE END OF THE TWO PLANES
CONTAINING THE BALANCING MASSES.

For static balancing,

Fc1 = Fc + Fc2

m1 ω² r1 = m ω² r + m2 ω² r2

m1 r1 = m r + m2 r2

For dynamic balance the net dynamic force acting on the shaft and the net couple due to
dynamic forces acting on the shaft is equal to zero.

To find the balancing force in the plane ‘M’ or the dynamic force at the bearing ‘O’ of a shaft,
take moments about ‘P’. i.e.

Fc1×L = Fc × L2

m1 ω² r1 L = m ω² r L2

m1 r1 L = m r L2

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m1 r1 = m r (L2/L)

Similarly, in order to find the balancing force in plane ‘N’ or the dynamic force at the bearing ‘P’
of a shaft, take moments about ‘ O ’ which is the point of intersection of the plane M and the
axis of rotation.

Fc2×L = Fc × L1

m2 ω² r2 L = m ω² r L1

m2 r2 = m r (L1/L)

CASE 3: BALANCING OF SEVERAL MASSES ROTATING IN THE SAME PLANE

Consider a rigid rotor revolving with a constant angular velocity ω rad/s. A number of masses
say, four are depicted by point masses at different radii in the same transverse plane.

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If m1, m2, m3 and m4 are the masses revolving at radii r1, r2, r3 and r4 respectively in the same
plane.

The centrifugal forces exerted by each of the masses are Fc1, Fc2, Fc3 and Fc4 respectively.

Let F be the vector sum of these forces. i.e.

F= Fc1 +Fc2 +Fc3 + Fc4

The rotor is said to be statically balanced if the vector sum F is zero. If the vector sum F is not
zero, i.e. the rotor is unbalanced, then introduce a counterweight ( balance weight) of mass ‘m’
at radius ‘r’ to balance the rotor so that,

m1 ω² r1+ m2 ω² r2+ m3 ω² r3+ m4 ω² r4+ m ω² r=0

m1 r1+ m2 r2+ m3 r3+ m4 r4+ m r=0

The magnitude of either ‘m’ or ‘r’ may be selected and the other can be calculated.

In general, Σ mi ri + mr =0

Graphical Method:

Step 1: Draw the space diagram with the positions of the several masses, as shown.

Step 2: Find out the centrifugal forces or product of the mass and radius of rotation exerted by
each mass.

Step 3: Now draw the vector diagram with the obtained centrifugal forces or product of the
masses and radii of rotation. To draw vector diagram take a suitable scale. Let ab, bc, cd, de
represents the forces Fc1, Fc2, Fc3 and Fc4 on the vector diagram. Draw ‘ab’ parallel to force Fc1
of the space diagram, at ‘b’ draw a line parallel to force Fc2. Similarly draw lines cd, de parallel
to Fc3 and Fc4 respectively.

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Step 4: As per polygon law of forces, the closing side ‘ae’ represents the resultant force in
magnitude and direction as shown in vector diagram.

Step 5: The balancing force is then , equal and opposite to the resultant force.

Step 6: Determine the magnitude of the balancing mass ( m ) at a given radius of rotation ( r ),
such that,

CASE 4: BALANCING OF SEVERAL MASSES ROTATING IN DIFFERENT PLANES

When several masses revolve in different planes, they may be transferred to a reference plane
and this reference plane is a plane passing through a point on the axis of rotation and
perpendicular to it. When

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When a revolving mass in one plane is transferred to a reference plane, its effect is to cause a
force of same magnitude to the centrifugal force of the revolving mass to act in the reference
plane along with a couple of magnitude equal to the product of the force and the distance
between the two planes.

In order to have a complete balance of the several revolving masses in different planes,

1. the forces in the reference plane must balance, i.e., the resultant force must be zero and

2. the couples about the reference plane must balance i.e., the resultant couple must be zero.

A mass placed in the reference plane may satisfy the first condition but the couple balance is
satisfied only by two forces of equal magnitude in different planes. Thus, in general, two planes
are needed to balance a system of rotating masses.

Example:

Consider four masses m1, m2, m3 and m4 attached to the rotor at radii r1, r2, r3 and r4
respectively. The masses m1, m2, m3 and m4 rotate in planes 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

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a) Position of planes of masses

Choose a reference plane at ‘O’ so that the distance of the planes 1, 2, 3 and 4 from ‘O’ are L1,
L2 , L3 and L4 respectively. The reference plane chosen is plane ‘L’. Choose another plane ‘M’
between plane 3 and 4 as shown.

Plane ‘M’ is at a distance of Lm from the reference plane ‘L’. The distances of all the other
planes to the left of ‘L’ may be taken as negative( -ve) and to the right may be taken as positive
(+ve).

The magnitude of the balancing masses mL and mM in planes L and M may be obtained by
following the steps given below.

Step 1: Tabulate the given data as shown after drawing the sketches of position of planes of
masses and angular position of masses. The planes are tabulated in the same order in which
they occur from left to right.

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Step 2: Construct the couple polygon first. (The couple polygon can be drawn by taking a
convenient scale) Add the known vectors and considering each vector parallel to the radial line
of the mass draw the couple diagram. Then the closing vector will be ‘m M rM LM’.

The vector d ’o’ on the couple polygon represents the balanced couple. Since the balanced
couple CM is proportional to mM rM LM , therefore,

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From this the value of mM in the plane M can be determined and the angle of inclination f of
this mass may be measured from figure (b).

Step 3: Now draw the force polygon (The force polygon can be drawn by taking a convenient
scale) by adding the known vectors along with ‘m M rM’. The closing vector will be ‘mL rL’. This
represents the balanced force. Since the balanced force is proportional to ‘m L rL’

From this the balancing mass mL can be obtained in plane ‘L’ and the angle of inclination of this
mass with the horizontal may be measured from figure (b).

Problem 1. A circular disc rotates on a spindle about center o and carries 4 masses at positions
ABC&D. magnitude of the masses are 200kg, 300kg, 240 kg and 260 kg respectively. OA =20
cms, OB= 15 cms, OC = 25 cms, OD = 30cms. The angular positions measured in the
anticlockwise direction from OA are respectively, OA - 00, 450, 1200 and 2550. Determine
unbalanced force acting on the spindle at a speed of 250 rpm and calculate magnitude and
angular position of balancing mass to be attached at a radius of 20cms.

Problem 2. A shaft is attached with 5 masses A, B, C, D & E revolving in the same planes at
equal radii. The magnitude of the masses are A = 20 Kg, B = 10 Kg, C = 16 Kg, D = d Kg, E = e Kg.
the angular positions of B, C, D and E measured in the same direction from A are 600, 1350,
2100 & 2700. Find the magnitude of masses D & E. (Answer: - D = 15.75 Kg, E = 12 Kg).

Problem 3. A rotating shaft is having 3 masses of magnitude 10 kg, 9 kg and 16 kg with the
center of gravity at 10 cm, 12.5cm and 5cm from center of rotation. The distances between
plane of rotation of A and B is 90mm and between B and C is 150mm. The angular positions of
the masses are as follows. B = 600, C =1350 from A when measured in the same direction. Find

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out the magnitude and distance of balancing masses required in the planes L and M situated
midway between planes A and B and between B and C. The radius of rotation of the balancing
masses is 15cm.

Problem 4. 4 masses A, B, C and D of magnitude 40Kg, 50Kg, 60Kg and D Kg are rigidly attached
to a shaft at radius of 30 cm, 24 cm, 28 cm and 24cm. The shaft revolves about its own axis and
planes of revolution of masses are at equal intervals. Determine the magnitude of mass D and
angular position of all masses in relation to A so that the masses may completely balance one
another.

Problem 5. What is the importance of balancing in a machine? Explain the term static balance
and dynamic balance. Four masses A, B, C, and D revolve at equal radii and are equally spread
along a shaft. Mass B has a weight of 100 N and radius of C and D makes 900 and 2400 with
radius of B respectively. Find the magnitude of masses A, C and D and angular position of the
mass A so that the system may be completely balanced.

Problem 6. A rotating shaft carries four masses A, B, C and D rigidly attached to the shaft. The
mass centres are 1.25 cms, 1.5 cms, 1.62 cms and 1.38 cms from the axis of rotation. Masses A,
C and D are weighing 150 N, 100 N and 80 N. The axial distance between A and B is 16 cm and
between B and C is 20 cm. Angle between the masses A and C is 900. For complete balance of
the shaft find out the following i.) Angle between A, B and D. ii.) Axial distance between planes
C and D. iii.) Weight of B.

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BALANCING OF RECIPROCATING MASSES

The acceleration of the reciprocating parts of an I.C. engine is driven by,

cos 2𝜃
𝛼𝑝 = 𝜔2 𝑟 (cos 𝜃 + )
𝑛

Where θ is the inclination of the crank with the dead centre position and ‘n’ is the ratio of the
connecting rod to the radius of the crank.

If R is the weight of the reciprocating parts, the force required to accelerate the parts will be

𝑅 2 cos 2𝜃
𝐹𝑝 = 𝜔 𝑟 (cos 𝜃 + )
𝑔 𝑛

𝑅 2 𝑅 cos 2𝜃
= 𝜔 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝜔2 𝑟
𝑔 𝑔 𝑛

𝑅
The first term in the above expression namely 𝑔 𝜔2 𝑟 cos 𝜃is known as primary disturbing force
𝑅 cos 2𝜃
and the second term 𝜔2 𝑟 is known as secondary disturbing force. Primary disturbing
𝑔 𝑛
𝑅
force acting along the line is 𝑔 𝜔2 𝑟 cos 𝜃 . This can be considered as the component along the

line of stroke of the centrifugal force balanced by a weight R at radius r. Therefore the
balancing of the primary force is considered equivalent to balancing of weight R rotating at

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crank radius r. This can be balanced by balancing mass B at a radius ‘b’. The resultant of the
𝑅 𝐵
forces along the line of stroke will be 𝜔2 𝑟 cos 𝜃 − 𝑔 𝜔2 𝑟 cos 𝜃. Therefore if R x r = B x b, the
𝑔

disturbing force along the line of stroke will be zero. But the vertical component of the forces
𝐵
due to the balancing mass 𝜔2 𝑟 cos 𝜃 remains un-balanced. Hence it is the usual practice to
𝑔

balance a fraction of the reciprocating parts such that Bb = cRr.

Note: -

𝑅
1.) Un-balanced force along the line of stroke is (1 − 𝑐 ) 𝑔 𝜔2 𝑟 cos 𝜃.

𝑅
2.) Un-balanced force perpendicular to the line of stroke is 𝑐 𝑔 𝜔2 𝑟 sin 𝜃

3.) If the balancing weight is required to balance the revolving parts of W N as well as the forces
of the reciprocating weight then B b = Wr + cRr or B b = (W + cR) r

Problem 1. A four stroke single cylinder diesel engine has a stroke of 40 cm. Speed of the engine
is 300 rpm and the weight of the reciprocating parts is 700 N. revolving parts are equivalent to
800 N at the crank radius. A revolving balancing mass is introduced at a radius of 15 cms to
balance the entire weight of revolving parts and half of the reciprocating parts. Find the
balancing weight required and calculate unbalanced force acting on the crank shaft.

Problem 2. A single cylinder horizontal disel engine has a crank radius of 19 cm. Length of
connecting rod is 84 cm. the revolving parts are equalent to 500 N at the crank radius. Weight
of the piston is 400 N. Weight of the connecting rod is 550 N. Centre of gravity of connecting
rod is 26 cms from the crank pin. Revolving balancing masses are attached at a radius of 22 cms
so that the whole of revolving parts and half of the reciprocating parts must be balanced. Find
out the magnitude of balancing masses and unbalanced forces on the engine when the speed is
300 rpm.

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BALANCING OF MULTI-CYLINDER ENGINES (Inline engines)

Procedure: -

1.) Draw end view and elevation of primary crank.

2.) Select reference plane.

3.) Prepare the tabular column.

4.) Draw the primary couple polygon.

5.) Draw primary force polygon.

If there is any un-balance secondary force or couple, all the five steps given above must be
repeated for the secondary parameters.

Note: -

1.) When the primary crank rotates through an angle θ from its top dead centre position (TDC),
the corresponding secondary crank will rotate through 2θ from TDC position.

2.) The component of closing vector along the line of stroke gives the values of un-balanced
forces.

Problem 1: In a six cylinder 4 stroke inline engine, weight of the reciprocating mass of each
cylinder is 80 N. Radius of each crank is 0.15 m. Length of each connecting rod is 0.6 m. The
center line of the cylinders are spaced at equal intervals of 0.2 m. Firing order is 1, 5, 3, 6, 2, 4
and speed of the engine is 800 rpm. Examine the engine for the balance of primary forces and
couples, taking a plane mid-way between cylinders 3 and 4 as reference.

Problem 2: The cranks and connecting rods of a 4-cylinder in-line engine running at 1800 rpm
are 60 mm and 240 mm each respectively and the cylinders are spaced 150 mm apart. If the
cylinders are numbered 1 to 4 in sequence from one end, the crank appear at intervals of 90° in
an end view in the order 1-4-2-3. The reciprocating mass corresponding to each cylinder is 1.5

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Kg. Determine: 1. Unbalanced primary and secondary forces, if any, and 2. Unbalanced primary
and secondary forces with reference to central plane of the engine.

V-ENGINES

𝑅
Primary force of cylinder 1 is 𝐹1 = 𝑔 𝜔2 𝑟 cos(𝛼 − 𝜃)

𝑅
Primary force of cylinder 2 is 𝐹2 = 𝑔 𝜔2 𝑟 cos(𝛼 + 𝜃)

Resolving the forces vertically, total vertical component of primary disturbing forces

𝐹𝑝𝑣 = 𝐹1 cos 𝛼 + 𝐹2 cos 𝛼

𝑅 2 𝑅
𝐹𝑝𝑣 = 𝜔 𝑟 cos(𝛼 − 𝜃) cos 𝛼 + 𝜔2 𝑟 cos(𝛼 + 𝜃) cos 𝛼
𝑔 𝑔

𝑅 2
= 𝜔 𝑟[cos(𝛼 − 𝜃) + cos(𝛼 + 𝜃)] cos 𝛼
𝑔

𝑅 2
= 𝜔 𝑟[(cos 𝛼 cos 𝜃 + sin 𝛼 sin 𝜃) + (cos 𝛼 cos 𝜃 − sin 𝛼 sin 𝜃 )] cos 𝛼
𝑔

2𝑅
Therefore, 𝐹𝑝𝑣 = 𝜔2 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 ---- (1)
𝑔

Resolving the forces horizontally,

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𝐹𝑝ℎ = 𝐹1 sin 𝛼 − 𝐹2 sin 𝛼

𝑅 2 𝑅
𝐹𝑝ℎ = 𝜔 𝑟 cos(𝛼 − 𝜃) sin 𝛼 − 𝜔2 𝑟 cos(𝛼 + 𝜃) sin 𝛼
𝑔 𝑔

𝑅 2
= 𝜔 𝑟[cos(𝛼 − 𝜃) − cos(𝛼 + 𝜃)] sin 𝛼
𝑔

𝑅 2
= 𝜔 𝑟[(cos 𝛼 cos 𝜃 + sin 𝛼 sin 𝜃 ) − (cos 𝛼 cos 𝜃 − sin 𝛼 sin 𝜃)] sin 𝛼
𝑔

2𝑅
Therefore, 𝐹𝑝ℎ = 𝜔2 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 --- (2)
𝑔

2 + 𝐹2
Primary force 𝐹𝑝 = √𝐹𝑝𝑣 𝑝ℎ

Exactly in the same manner, by considering the expression for secondary disturbing force of
each cylinder, it can be proved that the vertical component of secondary forces,

2𝑅 𝑟
𝐹𝑠𝑣 = 𝜔2 𝑛 cos 2 𝛼 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 ---- (3)
𝑔

2𝑅 𝑟
𝐹𝑠ℎ = 𝜔2 𝑛 sin 2 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 ----- (4)
𝑔

2
Therefore secondary force, 𝐹𝑠 = √𝐹𝑠𝑣2 + 𝐹𝑠ℎ

Problem1. A twin cylinder V-engine has center lines of the cylinders at 90° to each other and
connecting rods are connected to a common crank. Weight of the reciprocating mass of each
cylinder is 15 N. Radius of the crank is 0.08 m. and the length of the connecting rod is 0.4 m.
Show that engine may be balanced for primary forces, by means of revolving balancing mass. If
the engine is running at 2000 rpm, what is the maximum value of resultant secondary force?

2 + 𝐹2
𝐹𝑝 = √𝐹𝑝𝑣 𝑝ℎ

DIRECT AND REVERSE CRANK METHOD OF BALANCING

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This method can be used for finding the primary and secondary forces in a multi cylinder V-
engines and radial engines. Consider a reciprocating engine as shown in figure (a). The crank
OC, known as the direct crank rotates in the same direction as that of the engine. OCI is the
reverse crank rotating in the opposite direction. Let us assume that the total reciprocating mass
‘R’ is divided into two equal parts and (R/2 N) is placed at the end of each crank. The centrifugal
(𝑅⁄2)
force acting on primary direct and reverse crank is [ ] 𝜔2 𝑟. The component of these
𝑔

(𝑅)
centrifugal forces along line of stroke is [ 2𝑔 ] 𝜔2 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. Therefore total component of the
𝑅
centrifugal force will be [𝑔] 𝜔2 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 which is the primary force. In the same manner secondary

forces also can be computed.

NOTE

(𝑅⁄2 )
1.) Primary force due to each direct (or reverse) crank = [ ] 𝜔2 𝑟 cosine of angle with the
𝑔

vertical.

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(𝑅) 𝑟
2.) Secondary force due to each direct (or reverse) crank = [ 2𝑔 ] 𝜔2 𝑛 × cosine of angle with the

vertical.

3.) Maximum primary (or secondary) force = (Fdirect + Freverse)

4.) Minimum primary (or secondary) force = (F direct – Freverse)

Problem 1. In a V-engine having two cylinders with centre lines at 450, the connecting rods are
connected to a common crank. Reciprocating weight per cylinder is 14 N. Crank radius is 5 cm
and length of connecting rod is 22.5 cms. Speed of engine is 2,500 rpm. Determine maximum
and minimum value of primary and secondary forces due to inertia of reciprocating parts.

Problem 2. In a three cylinder radial engine all three connecting rods operate on a single crank.
The cylinder centre lines are at 1200. Mass of reciprocating parts of each cylinder is 2.5 Kg.
Crank radius is 7.5 cms. Length of connecting rod is 275 mm. Speed of the engine is 1800 rpm.
Determine the following with regard to inertia of reciprocating parts. a.) Balance weight to be
attached at 10 cms radius to obtain primary balance. b.) Magnitude of secondary un-balanced
force.

Problem 3. The three cylinders on an air compressor have their axis at 1200 to one another and
their connecting rods are coupled to a single crank. The stroke is 0.1 m. Length of each
connecting rod is 0.15 m. Mass of reciprocating parts per cylinder is 1.8 Kg. Find the maximum
primary and secondary forces acting on the frame of compressor when running at 3000 rpm.

Problem 4. The piston of a 600 V-engine have stroke of 0.12 m. The two connecting rods
operate on a common crank pin and each is 0.2 m. If the mass of reciprocating parts is 1 Kg per
cylinder and the crank shaft speed is 2500 rpm. Determine the maximum value of primary and
secondary forces.

Problem 5. In a five cylinder radial engine the cylinders are equally spaced. Mass of
reciprocating parts per cylinder is 1 Kg. Stroke length is 0.1 m and length of connecting rod is

Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, MIT, Manipal

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 Dynamics of Machinery

0.15 m. When the engine rotates at 3000 rpm find the maximum un-balanced primary and
secondary forces.

Problem 6. In a three cylinder radial engine all the connecting rods act on a single crank. The
cylinder center lines are set at 1200. Mass of reciprocating parts per cylinder is 2.5 Kg. Crank
length is 0.75 m. Connecting rod length is 0.275 m and speed of the engine is 1800 rpm.
Determine: 1.) Maximum unbalanced primary force and the balancing mass to be attached at
100 mm radius to give primary balance. 2.) Maximum unbalanced secondary forces.

Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, MIT, Manipal

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