The potential use of sound signals in the balancing of rotordynamics

Unbalance is ranked as a common cause of vibration, where more than 80% of vibration cases are led by unbalance. In order to solve the unbalance, the balancing process needs to be conducted. The balancing method commonly used in the Industrial world is the vibration base method, where the vibration sensors must be attached to the machine. The discomfort and hazardous condition have become exciting issues in the balancing process. The researchers need to find the solution by finding the non-contact sensors for balancing. In this study, the new method of balancing by using sound signals is proposed. The sound signals grabbed by a microphone (non-contact sensor) are investigated and analyzed to show the potential use of the sound signals for balancing. For that purpose, the rotordynamics apparatus is constructed. The artificial unbalance is applied to the rotor. The sound signals of the operating rotordynamics are then analyzed on 1 x rotational speed frequency. The amplitudes data of 1 x Rpm frequency are analyzed, and the balancing by using three trial masses is conducted. The result shows the high efficiency of the proposed method. The efficiency of the balancing for a single-rotor system is more than 90%. It is shown the high potency of the sound signals as the rotordynamics balancing base method.