Abstract: An on-road balancing system is provided that includes an analyzer, vibration sensor, and rotation sensor. The rotation sensor is coupled to at least one vehicle wheel and the vibration sensor is coupled to a component within the vehicle. The analyzer is responsive to input from the rotation sensor and the vibration sensor to calculate a phasor quantity representative of vibrations transmitted from the wheel to the component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring a rotor imbalance. Said device comprises a main shaft which is rotatably mounted in a machine housing and to which the rotor to be measured is fixed, a single-phase alternating-current motor for driving the main shaft, with a single-phase winding (4) and an auxiliary winding (5) which is offset in phase for driving the main shaft (1) up to measurement speed and a control device (17) that adjusts the current of the motor. Said control device (17) has an assembly (8, 6; 7; 20; 22, 23) which reduces the supply current delivered to the two windings (4, 5) of the motor (3; 21) once the measurement speed has been reached, in such a way that the motor creates a reduced torque which substantially compensates a speed drop produced by friction and drag.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining geometrical data of a motor vehicle wheel 2 mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation 1, in which in at least two planes 19, 20 which are perpendicular to the axis of rotation 1, the distances of a plurality of measurement points on a respective periphery of the corresponding part of the wheel (wheel rim 9) from a reference location 5 and the rotary angle positions of the respective measurement points are measured and the position of the motor vehicle wheel 2 with respect to the axis of rotation 1 is determined from the measurement values.

Abstract: A wheel guard arrangement in a wheel balancing machine in which the wheel guard member is formed by a flexurally elastic plate which is guided on the machine housing pivotably by a frame. In the open position of the wheel guard arrangement the flexurally elastic plate is flat and positioned vertically and in the closed position it is of an arcuate configuration extending over a wheel to be balanced.

Abstract: The drum has a balancer disposed at both ends of a drum body around which a printing plate is wound, and with a rotating shaft rotatably supported by a supporting plate via an elastic support member of a shaft receiving member. When the rotating drum is rotated in a state in which the rotating drum is out of balance, the elastic support member is elastically deformed so that the rotating shaft rotates integrally with the rotating drum. Balance of the drum is restored by eccentric revolution of the balancers, whereby the rotating drum is rotated around a center of the rotating shaft. A recording head is mounted at a bracket that moves integrally with the rotating drum. Thus, the recording head continually opposes a fixed position at the rotating drum, and an appropriate image can be formed on a printing plate.

Abstract: An unbalanced force sensing apparatus for sensing an unbalanced force produced due to rotation of a cylindrical rotor, the apparatus including a shaft having gas passageways to convey a first gas against the inner surface of the rotor to support the rotor away from the shaft, a second gas for flowing over the outer surface of the rotor to rotate the rotor, and a force sensing means for sensing an unbalanced produced due to rotation of the rotor around the shaft.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for measuring uniformity and dynamic balance of a tire, comprising: a spindle rotatably supported in a rigidly-supported spindle housing, said tire being fixedly mounted on said spindle, said spindle being rotated when measurement is performed; and at least one piezoelectric force sensor mounted on a surface of said spindle housing, said at least one piezoelectric force sensor detecting a force generated by rotation of the tire as said spindle is rotated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quickly and efficiently balancing an article, such as a tube for use in a vehicular drive shaft assembly, for rotation about an axis is provided. Initially, a balance ring is press fit or otherwise mounted onto the article to be balanced. The balance ring includes a ring of a material that can be selectively removed to balance the article for rotation, such as powdered metal. The article is mounted on an apparatus for rotating the article at a predetermined speed and for sensing vibrations that are caused by imbalances in the structure of the article. An electronic controller is responsive to such sensed vibrations for determining the size and location of one or more balance weights that, if secured to the article, will minimize or eliminate these imbalances.

Abstract: A method for dynamically balancing a rotating system through strategic control model updates, wherein said system contains sensors and sensor measurements whose responses to control actions are used to represent the system through a control model, where said control model and sensor measurements are used to determine future control actions is disclosed. The performance of the control model is evaluated using sensor measurements and responses; the evaluation is further used to determine if it is necessary to update the control model. The ongoing performance of the current control model is anticipated utilizing rate-of-change metrics obtained by evaluating said sensor measurements and responses. When a new control model is needed, further evaluation is done to determine if sensor measurements and responses are adequate for updating the control model.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for accurately measuring an initial imbalance deviating from a predetermined imbalance, when the predetermined imbalance is to be left in a body of rotation. In the method and apparatus, data relating to the predetermined imbalance is stored in a memory 27 as dummy value information. The vibration of a crank shaft 1 during rotation is detected by vibration sensors 6L, 6R to obtain analogue vibration signals WDL, WDR. The rotational angle position of the crank shaft 1 is detected by a photo sensor 8 and, in response, the above described dummy value information is converted to analogue dummy signals DLX, DLY, DRX and DRY by multi D/A converters 12L, 12R, 13L and 13R. These analogue dummy signals are removed from the analogue vibration signals to obtain analogue initial imbalance signals WL, WR, which are converted by D/A converter to obtain the digital initial imbalance value.

Abstract: A wheel mounting member is adapted for use in a vehicle wheel balancer to secure a vehicle wheel in a centered position relative to a centering shaft of the wheel balancer during wheel-balancing rotation of the wheel. The mounting member includes a base constructed of a polymeric material, and defining a center hole for receiving the centering shaft of the wheel balancer. A plurality of elongated wheel-engaging centering studs depend from the base, and are adapted for engaging the vehicle wheel to mount the wheel on the balancer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for balancing a motor vehicle wheel, in which the torque during acceleration to the measurement rotation speed and during braking after carrying out the measurement run is adjusted as a function of the wheel type to be balanced, such that the rotationally fixed connection between the main shaft and the motor vehicle wheel is maintained even when the driving prestressing force between the main shaft and the motor vehicle wheel is reduced.

Abstract: A wheel balancer and method of mounting a wheel/tire assembly on a wheel balancer are provided. The wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit and manual input are also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor.

Abstract: In this system an unbalancing force, as set by an unbalance load injection device integrated into a work piece balancing machine and its balance computer, is injected into an injection planethrough an operating portion of the machine. This injected load is in effect transferred by computation to a calibrating plane of a known standard or a masterwork part loaded into and rotatably driven by the balancing machine. The values of the unbalancing force as generated by the unbalance injecting device and by calculation into the rotating master are sensed by synchronizer and vibration pick-ups. Data reflective of the injected imbalance are furnished to the balance computer for the calibration thereof. The principle of this self-calibration is to use a workpiece drive spindle and unbalance injector device that can introduce a known unbalance, set by adjusting the unbalance injector device to inject a predetermined load at a known angle into the master to effect master unbalance.

Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus has a gantry that is rotatable around a rotational axis and a detector permanently disposed relative to the gantry, for determining an unbalanced mass of the gantry and a calculating unit for calculating the location or locations at the gantry at which a weight or at which weights should be arranged for compensating the unbalanced mass.

Abstract: A method and a device for moving a wheel rotatably mounted on a wheel balancing machine from a first position at which unbalance compensation has been performed, to a second unbalance compensation position for further unbalance compensation. According to the method, the rotor is externally driven, e.g., by hand, to freely running rotation, at which time, a drive motor is energized to generate a torque which acts counter to the direction of rotation of the wheel and to bring the wheel to a stop over a braking distance brought about by the counter torque which corresponds to the angle of rotation which is traveled over up to the unbalance compensation position, whereupon, the motor is de-energized. The apparatus includes a motor drive including an alternating voltage controller having a longitudinal switching device; and a commutation switching device, the switching devices each including two semiconductor switches which are connected in an anti-serial configuration.

Abstract: A method of matching a tire to a wheel rim of a wheel to compensate for wheel rim run-out and tire force variations includes the steps of mounting a bare wheel on a spindle of a balancer and measuring the rim run-out, said wheel rim having a bead seat, mounting a tire on the wheel to form a wheel/tire assembly, mounting the wheel/tire assembly on the spindle and measuring tire force variation, determining a desired change in wheel rim run-out to reduce the tire force variation, removing the tire from the wheel, adding a shim to the bead seat of the wheel rim, the shim being selected to correspond to the desired change in wheel rim run-out, and remounting the tire on the wheel. The wheel shim is preferably elongate and has a width sized to fit in the bead seat of the wheel rim, the thickness of the wheel shim being substantially less than the width of the wheel shim, and the length of the wheel shim being substantially greater than the width of the wheel shim.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically balancing a rotating system or rotating device utilizing data collection and correlation techniques to extract balance measures from sensor data is disclosed. Sensor data from the rotating system, containing information indicative of the dynamics of the rotating system, are filtered and sampled. A select time span of sampled data, adjusted upward to a nearest number of full revolutions of the rotating system, which is of sufficient size to extract balance measures, is collected. Data may be collected as a fixed number of samples per revolution, independent of a rotational speed, so as to simplify later computation. Several unique select time spans may be used for different ranges of rotational speeds so as to maintain the amount of data to be processed while still serving its original purpose. Window function may be applied to modify sampled data in the select time span so as to improve extraction performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring a rotor imbalance. Said device comprises a main shaft which is rotatably mounted in a machine housing and to which the rotor to be measured is fixed, a single-phase alternating-current motor for driving the main shaft, with a single-phase winding (4) and an auxiliary winding (5) which is offset in phase for driving the main shaft (1) up to measurement speed and a control device (17) that adjusts the current of the motor. Said control device (17) has an assembly (8, 6; 7; 20; 22, 23) which reduces the supply current delivered to the two windings (4, 5) of the motor (3; 21) once the measurement speed has been reached, in such a way that the motor creates a reduced torque which substantially compensates a speed drop produced by friction and drag.

Abstract: A process for balancing a shaft, particularly a cardan shaft with an attached oscillation damper is shown. The oscillation damper consists of a hub attached to the shaft, a damper ring lying concentric to same, and elements elastically attached to the hub and damping ring. The imbalance of the entire system is determined on a balancing machine, and the radial runout of the damping ring is measured in parallel to same. An imbalance corresponding to the imbalance of the damping ring is determined from the radial runout, and the imbalance of the shaft without the damping ring is determined by calculation of the difference between the total imbalance and the imbalance of the damping ring. The balancing process according to the invention lowers production costs by reduction of processing time during balancing. At the same time, an improvement in function and an increase in service life of the oscillation damper is achieved.

Abstract: Matching multiple wheel rims and tires based upon runout and force variation measurements using balancing equipment. Centering errors and mounting errors are also reduced or eliminated. The method includes adjusting the rotational positions of the tires with respect to the wheel rims to compensate for wheel rim run-out and wheel/tire assembly force variations.

Abstract: A wheel balancer and method of mounting a wheel/tire assembly on a wheel balancer are provided. The wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit and manual input are also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor.

Abstract: Machine and method for dynamically balancing rotatable shafts featuring positioning and welding equipment that is controlled by an electronic control unit that determines the imbalance of a rotating shaft and the amount of weight required at predetermined balance planes associated with misalignment joints of the shaft. The positioning and welding equipment is moved along a rail of the machine parallel with the shaft mounted therein into precision points and the welding gun moves into a welding position in which the shaft is griped by the welder and the correction weight is welded at the correction point on the shaft in the correction plane. In a second embodiment, balancing is achieved by removing calculated amount of materials at points on the shaft determined by the electronic control unit.

Abstract: In this system an unbalancing force, as set by an unbalance load injection device integrated into a work piece balancing machine and its balance computer, is injected into an injection planethrough an operating portion of the machine. This injected load is in effect transferred by computation to a calibrating plane of a known standard or a masterwork part loaded into and rotatably driven by the balancing machine. The values of the unbalancing force as generated by the unbalance injecting device and by calculation into the rotating master are sensed by synchronizer and vibration pick-ups. Data reflective of the injected imbalance are furnished to the balance computer for the calibration thereof. The principle of this self-calibration is to use a workpiece drive spindle and unbalance injector device that can introduce a known unbalance, set by adjusting the unbalance injector device to inject a predetermined load at a known angle into the master to effect master unbalance.

Abstract: In the case of vehicle wheels the single-phase wobble may not exceed a certain maximum value if the vehicle is to satisfy certain demands of comfort. However, in this case it is of little use to measure the wobble of the vehicle brake disc and that of the vehicle hub carrying the said brake disc individually, because this is unable to give any statement concerning the wobble of the entire constructional unit. With the aid of the method according to the invention, the wobble component, due to a wheel hub, of the constructional unit mentioned can be ascertained exactly if the precise data of the very precisely produced master brake disc, which is used in the measurement instead of the vehicle brake disc, is known. The method can only be carried out successfully using the master brake disc mentioned.

Abstract: A method facilitates simultaneously balancing mechanically coupled, synchronously rotating rotors. The rotors have different axes of rotation relative to one another and together define a rotor group to be balanced. Each rotor has at least one of a bearing plane and an other measuring plane associated therewith, the other measuring plane significantly describing vibrations of the each rotor. The rotors within the rotor group together have a number of different angular velocities associated therewith. At least one rotor of the rotor group is equipped with at least one vibration pickup in at least one of each bearing plane and the other measuring plane thereof. As many impulse and phase transmitters are installed in the rotor group as are provided the number of different angular velocities associated with the rotors within the rotor group.

Abstract: A multi-jawed chuck adapter (100) is secured substantially coaxially within a pilot hole (20) of a wheel and tire assembly (10) to facilitate mounting of the wheel and tire assembly (10) upon the spindle shaft (12) of a vehicle wheel balancer, eliminating sources of error introduced into balancing operations by improper mounting of the wheel and tire assembly thereon.

Abstract: A lifting unit for a vehicle wheel designed to cooperate with a tire changing machine and a balancing machine arranged on opposite sides thereof and located at a respective operating level, said lifting unit comprising at least one support frame, guide means vertically extending from said support frame, a cross-member guide slidingly mounted on said guide means and arranged to be moved up and down thereon, driving means carried by said support frame and arranged to move said cross-member guide on said guide means, a bracket means slidingly supported on said cross-member guide and designed to carry a vehicle wheel to be processed, a limiting means slidably carried on a vertical guide means, supported by said support frame, and arranged to engage with said guide means to act upon said driving means, wheel detecting means carried by said support frame and arranged to detect the diameter of a wheel standing on said bracket means, and control means arranged to position said limiting means depending upon the diamet

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly, such as a crack, in a rotor includes measuring the rotational speed and vibration of the rotor. A vibration signal synchronous with the frequency of rotation is filtered from the vibration measurement. A background vibration vector is then subtracted from the synchronous vibration signal to produce a vibration difference signal. The phase and amplitude of the vibration difference signal are measured and evaluated to determine whether an anomaly has developed. An apparatus for performing this method includes vibration and speed sensors coupled to a filter for extracting a signal from the vibration measurement having a frequency synchronous with the rotation of the rotor. A processor is coupled to the filter and the speed sensor and is programmed to perform the processing steps, described above.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for measuring uniformity and dynamic balance of a tire, comprising:

Abstract: A wheel balancer and method of mounting a wheel/tire assembly on a wheel balancer are provided. The wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit and manual input are also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor.

Abstract: Matching multiple wheel rims and tires based upon runout and force variation measurements using balancing equipment. Centering errors and mounting errors are also reduced or eliminated. The method includes adjusting the rotational positions of the tires with respect to the wheel rims to compensate for wheel rim run-out and wheel/tire assembly force variations.

Abstract: A method for automatically correcting the dynamic imbalance of a disc pack of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance correction assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc pack to a reference position for the attachment of weighted shims to the disc pack. A shim selector assembly delivers a selected shim, and an end effector transfers the selected shim to a shim attachment assembly. The shim attachment assembly rotates and spreads open the shim so that the disc pack can be receivingly engaged thereby, and the shim attachment assembly releases the selected shim to lockingly engage the disc pack. A flipping assembly reverses the disc pack for placement of another selected shim to the other end of the disc pack, as required.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon. The wheel balancer also includes a rotation sensor for measuring the rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit for controlling the application of power to the motor is also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor to rotate the wheel/tire assembly and to actively hold the wheel/tire assembly at desired positions.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis and a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly. A motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis to rotate the wheel/tire assembly is also included. The wheel balancer further includes a control circuit for controlling the application of current to the motor to rotate the wheel/tire assembly at a plurality of sustainable speeds. The control circuit may also be adapted for determining from vibrations measured by the vibration sensor at least one weight placement position on the wheel/tire assembly to correct the vibrations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for balancing a cylinder, roll, or equivalent part, with a thin mantle, by which deviations in the circumferential deflection line of the mantle can be compensated in order to correct for dynamic runout. Errors in the circumferential deflection line are measured and dynamic runout is determined. Locations and magnitudes of any counterweights necessary for balancing are determined based on deformations and dynamic runout arising from deviations in the deflection line of the mantle. Counterweights are fixed to the inner face of the mantle of the cylinder, roll or equivalent part at positions determined from measurements.

Abstract: A machine for pre-adjusting and balancing a tool-holder, includes a support frame provided with a single rotary tool spindle, a column supporting a dimension-measuring arm, a console displaying the measurements and a protective hood preventing access to a risk area when the spindle is rotating.

Abstract: A measuring method and a measuring apparatus for accurately measuring an initial imbalance deviating from a predetermined imbalance, when the predetermined imbalance is to be left in a body of rotation.

Abstract: An unbalance mass at the front side of a single wheel unit, an unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single wheel unit, a phase difference between the unbalance mass at the front side and the unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single wheel unit, a primary component amplitude of radial run-out of the single wheel unit, a phase angle of the primary component of the radial run-out of the single wheel unit, a contribution coefficient in which the radial run-out of the single wheel unit is transmitted to an RFV, an unbalance mass at the front side of a single tire unit, an unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single tire unit, a phase difference between the unbalance mass at the front side and the unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single tire unit, an RFV primary component amplitude of the single tire unit, and a phase angle of the RFV primary component of the single tire unit are measured and the measured values are input.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis and a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly. A motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis to rotate the wheel/tire assembly is also included. The wheel balancer further includes a control circuit for controlling the application of current to the motor to rotate the wheel/tire assembly at a plurality of sustainable speeds. The control circuit may also be adapted for determining from vibrations measured by the vibration sensor at least one weight placement position on the wheel/tire assembly to correct the vibrations.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby to rotate the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit is also provided for controlling the application of power to the motor. The wheel balancer also includes an assembly for measuring runout of the rim of the wheel/tire assembly, the control circuit being responsive to a rim runout measurement signal to apply power to the motor such that the wheel/tire assembly rotates at a slow, controlled speed during measurement of the rim runout.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon. The wheel balancer also includes a rotation sensor for measuring the rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit for controlling the application of power to the motor is also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor to rotate the wheel/tire assembly and to actively hold the wheel/tire assembly at desired positions.

Abstract: A wheel balancer and method of mounting a wheel/tire assembly on a wheel balancer are provided. The wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit and manual input are also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor.

Abstract: A tire balancing material made of glass beads and methods to balance tire using the same are disclosed. The glass bead material either in a loose format or a sealed pressurized package is introduced into an imbalanced tire. The motion of the imbalanced tire encourages the glass bead material to migrate to areas of the inside tire lining so as to correct the imbalance. Once the tire is balanced, the glass bead material migration comes to a general stop and generally remain there on the inside tire lining despite the vehicle coming to a stop and/or recommencing motion. The invention utilizes a dielectric material, such as glass beads, which charges and remains in place against the tire lining by electrostatic attraction.

Abstract: A diagnostic driveline vibration analyzing tool for measuring and characterizing the torsional vibrations in a vehicle driveline. An electronic control unit and sensor cooperate to measure speed fluctuations occurring between the passing of adjacent teeth of a rotating gear. These time measurements are the basis for displacement, velocity and acceleration calculations which, combined with driveshaft rotational order information, can be used to pinpoint the source of excessive driveline torsional vibrations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically correcting the dynamic imbalance of a disc pack of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance correction assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc pack to a reference position for the attachment of weighted shims to the disc pack. A shim selector assembly delivers a selected shim, and an end effector transfers the selected shim to a shim attachment assembly. The shim attachment assembly rotates and spreads open the shim so that the disc pack can be receivingly engaged thereby, and the shim attachment assembly releases the selected shim to lockingly engage the disc pack. A flipping assembly reverses the disc pack for placement of another selected shim to the other end of the disc pack, as required.

Abstract: A method for detecting an anomaly, such as a crack, in a rotor includes measuring the rotational speed and vibration of the rotor. A vibration signal synchronous with the frequency of rotation is filtered from the vibration measurement. A background vibration vector is then subtracted from the synchronous vibration signal to produce a vibration difference signal. The phase and amplitude of the vibration difference signal are measured and evaluated to determine whether an anomaly has developed. An apparatus for performing this method includes vibration and speed sensors coupled to a filter for extracting a signal from the vibration measurement having a frequency synchronous with the rotation of the rotor. A processor is coupled to the filter and the speed sensor and is programmed to perform the processing steps, described above.

Abstract: An electronic wheel balancer performs imbalance measurements at variable speeds for different size wheels. The inertia of a wheel mounted on the balancer is determined by measuring the acceleration time of the wheel from a first speed to a second higher speed and the operating speed is adjusted accordingly. An improved operator interface pod incorporates correction plane indicators/selection buttons adjacent the weight display. Auxilliary weight storage is also provided.

Abstract: A fixture for locking motorcycle wheels onto the shaft of balancing machines having a spindle coaxial to the shaft for supporting the wheel to be balanced, and members for making the shaft and the wheel rotationally rigid. The fixture includes a diametrical entrainment arm to be fixed to the end of the balancing shaft, and wheel clamping members provided by a body pivoted in the manner of a rocker element to each of the ends of the entrainment arm. The body having clamping members at one end, and at its opposite end a counter-weight is arranged such that, under the action of centrifugal force, the body increases its clamping action on the wheel.

Abstract: A machine for determining dynamically a residual unbalance in a workpiece having a conical surface is provided with a plurality of support elements, such as roller elements, that communicate with the workpiece at the conical surface thereof. The roller elements are arranged circumferentially equidistant about the workpiece and may have cylindrical or conical configurations. Further support elements, such as roller elements, can be applied against an annular surface of the workpiece, such as on a flange portion thereof. At least one of the support rollers that communicates with the conical surface is arranged to rotate about an adjustable axis of rotation that can be oriented with respect to the workpiece to achieve good rotative communication therebetween.