In this survey paper, we discuss the recent progress in researches on mechatronics in rotating machinery. Even before ‘mechatronics’ emerged as a new concept in technological advancement, much mechatronization effort has already been made in rotating machinery. Automatic balancer, for example, is a typical mechatronics product in rotating machinery that has a long history of development. When smart actuators such as piezoelectric ceramics, electro-magnetic/dynamic actuators, shape-memory alloy, controllable fluids and hydraulic actuators became available to structural and control engineers, there has been immediate effort to employ such actuators in rotating machines. There have been many attempts to apply those actuators to excite the rotors for parameter identification, to control the motion of the rotating shaft and the bearing housing, and, to control the fluid pressure, flow, temperature and viscosity of the bearings, seals and dampers. Although there are a few successful cases, including active magnetic bearing, many mechatronics inventions need more time to be implemented for practical use in rotating machines in operation, some remaining as pure academic research interests and some as disappointing results, which seem to be far from practicality for the time being. The rotor dynamics research has a tradition of practicality, growing from the industrial needs, and another of ‘conservatism’ that new techniques are absorbed in a slow fashion until they are matured and field proven. Mechatronization of rotating machines is no exception in this respect. We need a little more push to see more and more practical cases in the near future. Mechatronization is certainly the right way for the rotating machine community to go, as long as the need for enhanced reliability and safe operation of rotating machines accelerates with technological advancement.

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Mechatronics in Rotating Machinery

https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/preview/808701/Balancing_Paper_final_draft_rr_2.pdf

Pulsed laser ablation as a tool for in-situ balancing of rotating parts

This paper describes a flexible rotor system used for two-plane laser balancing and an experimental demonstration of the laser material removal method for balancing. A laboratory test rotor was modified to accept balancing corrections using a laser metal removal method while the rotor is at operating speed. The laser setup hardware required to balance the rotor using two correction planes is described. The test rig optical configuration and a neodymium glass laser were assembled and calibrated for material removal rates. Rotor amplitudes before and after balancing, trial and correction weights, rotor speed during operation of laser, and balancing time were documented. The rotor was balanced through the first bending critical speed using the laser material removal procedure to apply trial weights and correction weights without stopping the rotor.

R. S. DeMuth

Papers

Laser Balancing Demonstration on a High-Speed Flexible Rotor