The balancing of the crankshaft is carried out on a special dynamic stand, which allows you to accurately determine the places and mass of the unbalance compensators. Compensation is done by stripping or welding the metal.
Correct balancing of an automobile crankshaft not only increases the duration of its life cycle, but also reduces power loss, reduces noise in the cabin and helps to reduce wear of body elements and transmissions. Both crankshafts in service and new ones with assembly and manufacturing defects are subject to balancing.
Balancing conditions
To eliminate the imbalance of the crankshaft, it is necessary to check it on a dynamic stand. This equipment is part of the equipment of all major service stations and allows balancing of crankshafts of various designs.
The crankshaft must be balanced with the flywheel as they run on the engine as a single rotor. The shaft is attached to the balancing machine trunnions, which have collet or three-jaw chucks for securing the balanced assembly.
Balancing procedure
The crankshaft fixed in the machine with a flywheel is driven into rotation, the frequency of which corresponds to the working speed. The imbalance is detected using a laser sensor that can be moved along the length of the crankshaft.
The balancing characteristic is recorded and processed using specialized software installed on the computer, which is part of the equipment of the balancing stand.
Based on the results of determining the imbalance performed on a dynamic balancing stand, the places for installing the balancing weights or metal removal points are determined. The weight of the expansion joints is also indicated.
In a garage workshop, static balancing of the crankshaft assembly with a flywheel can be performed. To do this, you need to install the crankshaft on 2 prisms, after which, using the selection method, add a balancing weight until the rotor stops turning under its own weight. Plasticine can be used as a temporary load during testing.
Both static and dynamic balancing of the crankshaft involve the subsequent elimination of the imbalance. These measures can be carried out in two ways - by welding additional metal or drilling holes in certain places. To remove metal, special balancing belts are provided in the crankshaft design, so the presence of holes does not weaken the part below the permissible level.
