Chadwick-Helmuth Vibrex 2000 Plus, Vibrex 2000 User Manual

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User Guide No. 13841-6

August 1, 2002

Vibrex

and

2000

Vibrex 2000 Plus

User Guide

Digital Dynamic Balancer/Analyzer

Systems

Chadwick-Helmuth

Company, Inc.

This User Guide is supplied to the User under license, subject to change without notice and/or r ecall by Chadwic k-Helmut h Company, Inc., at any time. The User Guide at all times remains the property of ChadwickHelmuth Company, Inc. The information contained in this User Guide is considered confidential. No part of this User Guide is to be copied or reproduced or transmitted in any form whatever (including orally or by electronic transmission), nor is any information in this User Guide to be disclosed in any form whatever (including orally or by electronic transmission) to anyone other than an authorized representative of the User's employer who also shall agree not to disclose same, without express prior written consent of Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Trademarks

Vibrex is a trademark of the Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc. Excel, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT, and Windows 95 are

trademarks of the Microsoft Corpora ti on. IBM, IBM-PC, and Lotus 1-2-3 are trademarks of the IBM Corporation.

Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc. 4601 N. Arden Drive El Monte, CA 91731

(626) 575-6161 Fax: (626) 350-4236

E-mail: Chadwick@chadwick-helmuth.com

ii Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Contents

Quick Reference Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

1.1 About This User Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.1.1 Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.1.2 Notice Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.1.3 Document Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.1.4 Reference Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.2 Product Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.2.1 Fax Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.2.2 Internet Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chapter 2. System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1 Vibrex Systems: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.2 Product Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2.1 Vibrex 2000 System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2.1.1 System Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.2.1.2 System Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.2.1.3 Self-Test Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.2.2 Vibrex 2000 Plus Enhancements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2.3 System Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.3.1 Vibrex 2000 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.3.2 Vibrex 2000 Plus Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Chapter 3. Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3.1 Getting Started: Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3.2 Basic Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide iii

Contents

3.2.1 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

3.2.1.1 Adjusting Screen Contrast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

3.2.1.2 Screen Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.2.1.3 Self-Test Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

3.2.2 Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

3.2.2.1 Alpha-Numeric Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

3.2.2.2 Dedicated Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3.2.2.3 Context Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

3.2.3 Channel Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

3.3 Printing Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

3.3.1 Direct Serial Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

3.3.1.1 Basic Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

3.3.1.2 Connecting the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

3.3.2 Printing With a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3.3.2.1 Downloading Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3.3.3 Reading FFT Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

3.3.4 Using the PRINT Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

3.3.4.1 Global Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

3.3.4.2 Printing With REVIEW and PRINT Keys . . . . . . . 33

Chapter 4. Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

4.1 Installation: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

4.2 Vibrex 2000 Basic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

4.2.1 V2K Propeller Balance Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

4.2.1.1 V2K Single-Engine Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

4.2.1.2 V2K Twin-Engine Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

4.2.2 V2K Rotor Track & Balance Kits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

4.2.3 V2K Helicopter and Fixed Wing Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

4.3 Vibrex 2000 Plus Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

4.3.1 V2K Plus Propeller Balance Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

4.3.1.1 V2K Plus Single-Engine Kit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

4.3.1.2 V2K Plus Twin-Engine Kit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4.3.2 V2K Plus Rotor Track & Balance Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

4.3.3 V2K Plus Helicopter & Fixed Wing Kit. . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

4.3.4 Optional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

4.3.5 Carrying Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

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Contents

4.4 General Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

4.4.1 Velocimeters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

4.4.2 Photocell System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

4.4.2.1 Retro-Reflective Target . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

4.4.2.2 General Photocell Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

4.4.2.3 Repair of Photocell Wiring.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

4.4.2.4 Photocell Placement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

4.4.2.5 Target Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

4.4.3 Magnetic Pickup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

4.5 Sample Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4.5.1 Lycoming O/IO-320/360. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4.5.2 Lycoming O/IO-540 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4.5.3 Continental O/IO-470/520/550 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4.5.4 P&W R-985/2800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4.5.5 Flat Opposed General Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

4.5.6 Radial Engine General Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

4.5.7 Turbine Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

4.5.8 Geared Reciprocating Engines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Chapter 5. General Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

5.1 Operation: Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

5.2 Beginning Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

5.2.1 Powering Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

5.2.2 Main Menu Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

5.3 Basics of Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

5.4 Propeller Balancing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

5.4.1 Propeller Balance Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

5.4.1.1 Entering Aircraft IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

5.4.1.2 Selecting Channels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

5.4.1.3 Entering Horsepower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

5.4.1.4 Setting Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

5.4.1.5 Multiple Propeller Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

5.4.2 Acquiring Balance Readings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

5.4.2.1 Annotating the Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

5.4.2.2 Balance Quality Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide v

Contents

5.4.3 Obtaining Balance Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

5.4.3.1 Application Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

5.4.3.2 Using the Propeller Protractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

5.4.3.3 Changing Performed Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

5.4.4 Finishing Propeller Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

5.4.4.1 If Unable To Use Weight Azimuth. . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

5.4.5 Reviewing Balance Histories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

5.4.5.1 Reviewing Propeller Balance Measurements . . . . . 87

5.4.5.2 Reviewing Other Balance Measurements . . . . . . . .88

5.4.5.3 Reviewing Spectrum Peak Measurements . . . . . . .89

5.4.5.4 Reviewing Spectrum Order Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . 89

5.4.5.5 Clearing Runs, Measurements, and Lists . . . . . . . . 89

5.5 Helicopter Rotor Balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

5.5.1 Main Rotor Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

5.5.2 Main Rotor Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

5.5.3 Using the Rotor Protractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

5.5.3.1 Counter-Clockwise Rotor Correction . . . . . . . . . . 100

5.5.3.2 Clockwise Rotor Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

5.5.4 Tail Rotor Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

5.5.4.1 Clockwise Rotors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

5.5.4.2 Counter-Clockwise Rotors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

5.5.5 Tail Rotor Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

5.6 Spectrum Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

5.6.1 Spectrum Analysis Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

5.6.1.1 Ranging Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

5.6.1.2 Annotating Spectra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

5.6.2 Collecting Spectral Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

5.6.3 Order Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

5.6.4 Spectrum Viewer Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

5.6.4.1 After Taking Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

5.6.4.2 Displaying Cursor Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Chapter 6. Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

6.1 Maintenance: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

6.2 Theory of Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

6.2.1 Digital Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

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Contents

6.2.2 Display Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

6.2.3 Analog Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

6.2.3.1 Velocity Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

6.2.3.2 Azimuth Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

6.2.4 Power Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

6.2.4.1 Battery Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

6.2.4.2 On-Off Logic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

6.2.4.3 Power Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

6.2.4.4 Short-circuit Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

6.3 Routine Servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

6.3.1 Batteries and Replacement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

6.3.1.1 Battery Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

6.3.1.2 Battery Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

6.3.1.3 Battery Insertion Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

6.3.1.4 Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

6.3.1.5 Reinstallation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

6.3.1.6 Setting Battery Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

6.3.2 EPROM Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

6.3.2.1 Determining EPROM Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

6.3.2.2 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

6.3.2.3 Replacement Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

6.3.3 Panel Retention Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

6.3.4 Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

6.3.5 Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

6.3.5.1 System Testing Using Model 11 Calibrator. . . . . 130

6.3.5.2 Instrument Test Procedures for the Vibrex 2000 and

Vibrex 2000 Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

6.3.5.3 Approach:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

6.3.5.4 Procedure:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

6.3.5.5 For The Vibrex 2000 (Basic). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

6.3.5.6 For The Vibrex 2000 Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

6.3.6 Clearing Memory Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

6.3.6.1 Vibrex 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

6.3.7 Complete Unit Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

6.3.7.1 Parts List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

6.3.7.2 Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

6.3.7.3 Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide vii

Quick Reference Guide

This guide provides a quick-start reference for the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus Digital Dynamic Balancer systems. The term Vibrex unit refers to both systems.

Propeller Balance

Propeller Balance, Run No. 1

• Install the phot ocell , v eloci meter( s), a nd ref lect ive t ape o n th e pr opell er to be balanced.

• Turn on the Vibrex unit.

• Select Propeller Balance from the Main Menu screen.

• Ensure the propeller input is plugged into channel No. 1 and A and any other propeller or velocimeter in the other channel. Press

• Select the engine horsepower, then press

• Operate the propeller at the desired balance RPM. When the RPM is steady, press

• When the Vibrex unit has finished collecting data, press

• If the reading is not acceptable (greater than 0.2 IPS), press

ST ART.

• Observe displayed note then press

• Implement the solution and power off the Vibrex unit.

ST ART.

START.

ST ART.

START.

Propeller Balance, After Run No. 1

• Turn on the Vibrex unit.

• Select Propeller Balance from the Main Menu screen.

• Vibrex2000 Plus Only - Select Continue Current Session.

• Edit the solution if it is different from the solution done earlier then press

ST ART.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide ix

Quick Reference Guide

• Operate the propeller at the same RPM as done in Run No. 1. When the RPM is ste ady, press

• When the Vibrex unit has finished collecting data, press

• Continue making adjustments until the propeller yields the desired IPS level, then press

ST ART.

from the Prop Balance Quality screen.

DONE

START.

Spectrum Analysis

• Install the velocimeter in the desired location for measu rement.

• Power up the Vibrex unit.

•Press the

• Select the velocimeter channel and azimuth sensor channel (if used).

• Select the RPM range of interest.

• Operate the aircraf t at the d esired con dit ion for taking measur ements, then press

•Press

SPECTRUM ANALYSIS

START.

START to save.

context key.

Balance Reading

• Install the velocime ters and pho tocell, as des ired, for the aircraf t to be balanced.

• Power up the Vibrex unit.

•Press the screen.

• Operate the aircraft in the desired condition.

• Press the desired channel to take measurement input.

•Press

TRACK & BALANCE

START to save.

context key from the Main Menu

Strobex Track

• Install the Photocell (or magnetic pickup), Strobex, and retroreflective targets to be viewed.

• Power up the Vibrex unit.

•Press the screen.

• Operate the aircraft in the desired condition.

x Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

TRACK & BALANCE

context key from the Main Menu

Quick Reference Guide

•Press the

STROBEX TRACK

context key.

• Enter the number of blades to be tracked and observe the targets.

Printing

• Connect the Vibrex unit to the printer using the appropriate serial interface cable.

• Power up the Vibrex unit and select

• Select the readi ng or re adi ng set wanted to print then press

PRINT.

START or

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide xi

Quick Reference Guide

xii Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Chapter 1

Introduction

This chapter gives a general overview of this user guide and using it with the Chadwick-Helmuth Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus Digital Dynamic Balancer/Analyzer systems. It also gives information on customer support services. Chapter 1 contains the following sections:

1.1 About This User Guide............................................................1

1.2 Product Support.......................................................................4

1.1 About This User Guide

This user guide explains how to install, operate, and maintain the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus systems. The text sets out the basic procedures required to accomplish dynamic balancing with optimum results, using these systems.

NOTE: If the user wants to get started right away, go to the “Quick Reference Guide” on page ix, at the beginning of this user guide.

Vibrex 2000 Release -

V ibr ex2000 firmware release:

Version 2.71

Vibrex 2000 Plus Release -

following Vibrex 2000 Plus firmware release:

Version 2.71+

NOTE: The user must document all aircraft maintenance actions according to existing instructions and perform them in accordance with the appropriate maintenance manual.

This user guide is written for the following

This user gui de is written for the

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 1

Chapter 1 - Introduction

The chapters explain basic steps required to accomplish optimum oneper-revolution smoothing of aircraft rotors and other equipment, if applicable.

WARNING: Installation of some br ackets on some air craft invol ves removing nuts and/or bol ts, a f fect ing the safe ty of fli ght. Follow the aircraft ma intenance manual if these actions require additional procedures such as retorquing, safetying, the reuse of nuts, inspections, or sign-offs.

1.1.1 Organization

This user guide has the following topical organization:

Chapter 1. Introduction - General user guide information and overview. Chapter 2. System Overview - Basic instructions on how to use the

Vibrex 2000 and a general system description.

Chapter 4. Installation - Equipment list and general system installation

procedures.

Chapter 5. General Operation - Using the Vibrex 2000 to achieve

optimum dynamic balance results.

Chapter 6. Maintenance - Checking out the system, basic repairs, and

solving problems; includes a troubleshooting guide.

1.1.2 Notice Formats

In many places in this user guide, the user may see special notices. Their headings have the following meanings:

• NOTE: Here is additional useful information pertaining to the current subject.

• CAUTION: Be careful with this procedure or item because of possible damage to equipment or loss of data.

• WARN ING: Exercise extreme care with this procedure or item because of possible personal injury.

Special notices appear in the format shown here.

2 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

About This User Guide

1.1.3 Document Conventions

This user guide employs the following text and format conventions:

• Text on screen is shown in bold monospaced type. This type represents text in this guide exactly as it appears on the Vibrex 2000 display screen.

• V ibr ex2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus key names appear in boldfa ce and all-caps. Dedicated key s appear in bol d, like appear in bold italic, like

• Bold italics designate personal computer (PC) keys, for example, Enter.

•Important topics or terms are in italics. Definition lists show the defined term first in boldface, at the left-side margin.

• Unnumbered sectional subtopics have the first term at the start of the paragraph in boldface followed by a hyphen, for example,

Vibrex 2000 Plus - Digital Dynamic Balancer.

• Titles of chapters or sections are in quotation marks, for example, “Document Conventions,” but the section numbers are not, for example, see Section 1.1.3 “Document Conventions” on page 3.

DONE

ST ART, but co ntext keys

1.1.4 Reference Documentation

This user guide utilizes the following reference documentation:

• The Smooth Propeller (Version 2), No. 9511-2

• V2K Download Software User Guide, No.14984

• V2K Plot Software User Guide, No. 14983-1

• Polar Coordinate Chart, No. 8016

• Photocell System Operation and Maintenance Manual, No. 10473 (covers the Chad wick-Hel muth Pho tocel l but is u seful for any type of photocell install at ion )

• Model 135M-12 Strobex Operation and Maintenance Manual, No. 9076

The documentation numbers given in the previous list are ChadwickHelmuth part numbers, for ordering purposes.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 3

Chapter 1 - Introduction

PRODUCT SUPPORT AND SERVICES

S.A.R.L. VIBRATECH

93 allée du phœnix

L’orée du parc 83600

Fréjus - France

Tel : +33 (0)4 94 44 41 13

Fax : +33 (0)4 94 44 47 30

E.mail : contact@vibratech.fr

WEB SITE: www.vibratech.fr

1.2 Product Support

In the United States the user may reach a Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus technical representative from Chadwick-Helmuth’s Product Support Department by dialing the number below,

(626) 575-6161

Call this number Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. If at all possible , fax a copy o f a customer support report in care of Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus support before calling.

NOTE: If necessary, check with the Product Support Department for an update on the latest part and software revisions.

1.2.1 Fax Service

You may send a fax detailing any questions or comments at any time, by dialing the 24-hr number below,

(626) 350-4236

Address any fax to the Product Support Department.

1.2.2 Int ernet Se rvice

If you want more information about us, Chadwick-Helmuth has an Internet site at the follo wing URL:

http://www.chadwick-helmuth.com

We also have an e-mail box. Make sure to send any messages to the attention of the Product Support Department. Our e-mail address is

Chadwick@chadwick-helmuth.com

For more details on this or any other customer support services, please contact Chadwick-Helmuth’s Product Support Department.

4 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Chapter 2

System Overview

This chapter gives an explanation of the basic system characteristics and technical specifications of the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus Digital Dynamic Balancer/Analyzer systems. Chapter 2 contains the following sections:

2.1 Vibrex Systems: Introduction...................................................5

2.2 Product Description ................................................................6

2.3 System Specifications ..............................................................10

2.1 Vibrex Systems: Introduction

The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus have the following general features:

• They are portabl e, ea sy-to-use digital dynamic balancers. In addition, they can do quick, efficient vibration analysis, allowing the user to identify additional sources of vibration.

• The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus were developed to meet the dynamic balance needs of the aviation community.

• Although primarily intended for light aircraft propeller balance, they perform as well as the worl d-famous Chadwick-Helmuth Model 177M and Model 8350 “ring-of-lights” Vibrex products developed for rotary-wing applications.

• The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus are not limited to the aircraft field. Like their predecessors, these products are usable in a wide range of uses, including agricultural, forest product-related, marine, and industrial applications.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 5

Chapter 2 - System Overview

2.2 Product Description

This section gives a general description of the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus systems, including the differences between the two products.

NOTE: See the “Glossary” on page 161 for definitions of specific Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus-related terms that may not be familiar to the user.

Keep in mind that the Vibrex 2000 Plus system has all the capabilities of the Vibrex 2000. In addition, it has the added features and benefits listed under Section 2.2.2 “Vibrex 2000 Plus Enhancements” on page 9.

For more details information on both the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus systems, as well as the exact differences between the two models, see Section 2.3 “System Specifications” on page 10.

2.2.1 Vibrex 2000 System Overview

The Vibrex 2000 unit is a hand-held, battery-powered vibration analyzer. It is a vibration analysis and balancing tool that rapidly and accurately acquires and analyzes aircraft vibration data. It uses that data to calculate balance solutions and to analyze aircraft vibration levels across a broad frequency range.

The Vibrex 2000 system provides accurate helicopter vibration readings for chart calculations on main and tail rotors, shafts, and blowers. As a spectrum analyzer, they provide the operator with an overview of rotor and drive-train vibra ti on. The Vibrex unit uses the cables and transducers (for example, the Chadwic k- Helmut h Mode l 7310 Velocimeter, magnetic pickups, and photocells) from previous generations of our equipment, further reducing the cost of ownership.

6 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Product Description

2.2.1.1 System Operations

The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus systems allow the user to do the following operations:

Propeller Balance Operations - Easy-to-understand menus let the user

initiate up to four d iff erent bal ancing jo bs at one ti me. The instr ument can automatically correct for the propeller response to weight changes, and the user can save this correction for future balancing operations.

A “first round hit” solution means lower vibration solutions, even on the first move. Two channels allow the user to measure the propeller and rear of the engi ne duri ng bal ancing . All meas urement s, sol utions , sensitivities, and annotation are saved in memory and can be reviewed on the instrument, printed out on the optional portable thermal printer , or downloaded to a pers onal computer (PC) thro ugh a standard RS-232 serial cable.

Rotor Track-and-balance Operations - The track-and-balance menus

are designed to simplify taking multiple measurements without having to change the setup. The user can acquire and save balance readings, in inches per second (IPS) and clock angles.

The user can also track up to seven helicopter blades, using the Chadwick-Helmuth Model 135M-12 Strobex Tracker.

Spectrum Analysis - Vibration peaks listed by frequency or order are

available up to 24,000RPM (600,000 for V2K+). The lists are based on 400-line fast Fourier transform (FFT) calculations. As with all measurements, the lists can be sav ed, reviewed, printed, or transferred to a PC.

The user can save the complete spectrum and view it with a standard spreadsheet or with one of Chadwick-Helmuth's ground-based software packages. Up to twelve orders and associated half-orders can be listed.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 7

Chapter 2 - System Overview

2.2.1.2 System Benefits

The Vibrex 2000 system offers the user the following benefits:

• Reduced aircraft operating costs and down time

• Reduced propeller and rotor vibration that translates into increased reliability, increased mean time befo re failure (MTBF) for avionics, as well as mechanical and aerodynamic structures

• Better ride comfort for pilots and passengers

• Federal Aviation Association (FAA)-approved propeller balance, when used with Chadwick-Helmuth’s The Smooth Propeller manual publication

• Balance jobs that are stored in memory and can be archived on a PC

• A 32-bit microprocessor for rapid-balance computations and FFT calculations

• Use of common rechargeable or disposable D-cell batteries

• Chadwick-Helmuth's legendary worldwide customer support

2.2.1.3 Self-Test Feature

Each time Vibrex 2000 or the Vibrex 2000 Plus unit is powered up, it checks its memory and characterizes its analog filters to compensate for aging components, temperat ure drif ts, and so on. The unit then reports t he total amount of time the batteries have been used since installation.

Press the unit’s voltages, along with the date, time, and firmware version. Using this key, you may print the fault log for easy troubleshooting. See Section 6.4.1 “Fault Logs” on page 145 for details.

STATUS

Self-Test Modes -

Comprehensive Test - Performed if the unit has been turned off for more

than 2 hr and takes approximately 20 sec, that is, the unit’s full builtin test (BIT). Such timing allows this test to be done sufficiently to ensure that all the unit’s functions are tested at reasonable intervals.

Abbreviated Test - Takes only a few seconds. The unit does this test if it

has been in use during the last 2 hr. The comprehensive test (or BIT) is unnecessary each time the unit is powered u p, so the unit only does an abbreviated test for short-term power-down/power-up cycles.

8 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

key to display checked battery and sensor

The power-up self test has the following modes:

Product Description

2.2.2 Vibrex 2000 Plus Enhancements

The Vibrex 2000 Plus model represents a significant performance increase over the Vibrex 2000 (Part Number 13590-2 and earlier). In addition to all existing V ibr ex 2000 benefits features, and capab ilities, the Vibrex 2000 Plus system offers the following extended capabilities.

• An increase in maximum spectrum frequency from 24,000 RPM to 600,000 RPM (10 kHz)

• A graphic spectrum viewing mode

• An extended balance frequency range from 120 RPM to 30,000 RPM

• Support for running up to four propeller balance jobs in parallel operation (can suspend one then jump out and start another)

• Four times the memory, allowing more data to be saved (1 Mb)

• The ability to store balance jobs, adjustments, sensitivities, spectra, and balance measurements in the instrument’s memory and archive them on a PC

• Storage of firmware in the instrument’s Flash memory, facil itating software upgrades and enhancements; there is no longer any need to open the instrument for this purpose

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 9

Chapter 2 - System Overview

2.3 System Specifications

The tables in this section provide complete lists of the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus systems’ technical specifications.

2.3.1 Vibrex 2000 Specifications

The table, starting below, lists complete technical specifications for the V ibr ex 2000 system.

Characteristic Specifications

Basic Specifications

Data storag e capacity 1 Mb Built-in test (BIT)

coverage

Date and time stamping Yes Log (data) files -

contents and formats Compatible software

(ground based)

Memory check and calibration on power up; user-initiated tests (with check battery and sensor power

NOTE: Errors are logged to a printable fault log.

Balance jobs, log book, balance, spectrum, fault log, all in ASCII format

Chadwick-Helmuth V2K Download and V2K Plot programs

STATUS

Basic Performance

Frequency range 0 to 400 Hz Accuracy ±5%, from 5 Hz to 333 Hz Acquisition capability 2 vibration and 2 tachometer (azimuth)

Balance Measurements

Phase units Hours and minutes

key)

10 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

System Specifications

Characteristic Specifications (Continued)

Phase resolu tion 2 min or 1° Phase accuracy ±15° Balance frequency range 240 to 10,000 RPM

Spectrum Analysis

Analysis ranges (maximum frequencies)

Window type Flat top FFT resolution 400 lines

1500, 3000, 6,000, and 12,000 and 24,000 RPM

Signal Conversion (Vibration Inputs)

Channel configuration options

Coupling Type - ac High-pass filter 3-pole Chebyshev, -3 dB @ 3 Hz Analog-to-digital

converter type Spurious free dynamic

range Input ranges 0 to 380 mV peak (20 IPS) Input sensitivity 19 mV/IPS peak

Sensor type - Model 7310 Velocimeter

13-bit

>50dB

Signal Conversion (Magnetic Pickup Inputs)

Input frequency range 100 to 50,000 RPM RPM accuracy 0.15% Input voltage range 0.5V to 12.0V peak nominal, diode

protected

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 11

Chapter 2 - System Overview

Characteristic Specifications (Continued)

Coupling Type - dc

Interface Specifications

Vibration transducer 2-each, Model 7310 Velocimeter

(19 mV/IPS sensitivity)

Magnetic pickup/ tachometer

PC or printer 1 serial, RS-232, 9600 baud Accessory power 4-each, D-cell batteries, reverse-polarity,

2-each, pulse input, magnetic pickup or logic type

circuit-protected and fused

Physical Particulars

Dimensions (including mounting flanges)

Weight 3.5 lb nominal Mating connector type

(PC to printer) Power requirement 3 to 6.4 Vdc, 250 mA Battery life (typical) 40 hr Case material Aluminum alloy

Nominal measurements (in inches) are

• Height - 7.38

•Width - 7.25

• Depth - 1.81

D-sub, 9-pin

12 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

System Specifications

Characteristic Specifications (Continued)

Environmental Conditio ns

Temperature 0°C to 50°C Electromagnetic

interference (EMI) susceptibi lity and radiated emissions standards

Industrial Electronic Control Equipment Class certified to

• Class Standard EN50081-2

• Standard EN50082-2

2.3.2 Vibrex 2000 Plus Specifications

The table, starting below, lists complete technical specifications for the Vibrex 2000 Plus system.

Characteristic Specifications

Basic Specifications

Data storag e capacity 1 Mb Built-in test (BIT)

coverage

Date and time stamping Yes

Memory check and calibration on power up; user-initiated tests (with check battery and sensor power

NOTE: Errors are logged to a printable fault log.

STATUS

key)

Log (data) files contents and formats

Compatible software (ground based)

Balance jobs, log book, balance, spectrum, fault log, all in ASCII format

Chadwick-Helmuth V2K Download and V2K Plot programs

Basic Performance

Frequency range 0 to 10,000 Hz

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 13

Chapter 2 - System Overview

Characteristic Specifications (Continued)

Accuracy ±.5dB, from 5 Hz to 500 Hz; ±1dB, from

500 Hz to 10,000 Hz

Acquisition capability 2 vibration and 2 tachometer (azimuth)

Balance Measurements

Phase units Hours and minutes Phase reso lution 2 min or 1° Phase accuracy ±15° Balance frequency range 120 to 30,000 RPM

Spectrum Analysis

Analysis ranges (maximum frequencies)

Window type Flat top FFT resolution 400 lines

1200, 3000, 6000, 12,000, 30,000, 60,000, 120,000, 300,000 and 600,000 RPM

Signal Conversion (Vibration Inputs)

Channel configuration options

Coupling Type - ac High-pass filter 3-pole Chebyshev, -3.0 dB @ 1.5 Hz Analog-to-digital

converter type Spurious free dynamic

range Input ranges 0 to 380 mV peak (20 IPS) Input sensitivity 19 mV/IPS peak

Sensor type - Model 7310 Velocimeter

13-bit

>50dB

14 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

System Specifications

Characteristic Specifications (Continued)

Signal Conversion (Magnetic Pickup Inputs)

Input frequency range 100 to 50,000 RPM RPM accuracy 0.15% Input voltage range 0.5V to 12.0V peak nominal, diode

protected

Coupling Type - dc

Interface Specifications

Vibration transducer 2-each, Model 7310 Velocimeter

(19 mV/IPS sensitivity)

Magnetic pickup/ tachometer

PC or printer 1 serial, RS-232, 9600 baud Accessory power 4-each, D-cell batteries, reverse-polarity,

2-each, pulse input, magnetic pickup or logic type

circuit-protected and fused

Physical Particulars

Dimensions (including mounting flanges)

Weight 3.5 lb nominal Mating connector type

(PC to printer) Power requirement 3 to 6.4 Vdc, 250 mA Battery life (typical) 40 hr Case material Aluminum alloy

Nominal measurements (in inches) are

• Height - 7.38

•Width - 7.25

• Depth - 1.81

D-sub, 9-pin

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 15

Chapter 2 - System Overview

Characteristic Specifications (Continued)

Environmental Conditio ns

Temperature 0°C to 50°C Electromagnetic

interference (EMI) susceptibi lity and radiated emissions standards

Industrial Electronic Control Equipment Class certified to

• Class Standard EN50081-2

• Standard EN50082-2

16 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Chapter 3

Getting Started

This chapter explains the basic features of the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus Digital Dynamic Balancer/Analyzer systems and tells how to get started out in using them. Chapter 3 contains the following sections:

3.1 Getting Started: Introduction..................................................17

3.2 Basic Features.........................................................................18

3.3 Printing Data...........................................................................23

3.1 Getting Started: Introduc tion

This chapter gives a general explanation of how to get started using the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus systems. In general, the basic and startup features of both sys tems are the same. Whe re ther e are di f fer ences between the two Vibrex units, they are explained in detail.

Basic features of the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus include

• Liquid-crystal display (LCD) with eight text lines

• Keypad (16 dedicated keys and 4 context keys)

• Input channels (vibration and azimuth/frequency)

• Printing feature (explained in a separate section)

See Section 3.2 “Basic Features” on page 18 for a diagram of the front of the Vibrex unit.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 17

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

3.2 Basic Features

This section explains basic operating features that the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus offer the user.

Diagram -

The illustration below shows a picture of the Vibrex 2000 unit. Except for the logo, the Vibrex 2000 Plus is identical. Use this diagram to locate the operating features explained in this chapter.

CONNECTION INTERFACES

CONTRAST KEYS

GO BACK

ABC DEF2GHI

JKL

MNO

PQR

START

REVIEW

DISPLAY

VWX

# % @

ON OFF

STU

+ / -

SPACE

CONTEXT KEYS

Vibrex Unit’s Front Panel

18 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

KEYPAD

BATTERY END PLATE

Basic Features

3.2.1 Display

The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus use an LCD screen on the front panel, for visual output. This screen subdivides into eight lines of text.

CAUTION: In extreme temperatures, the display may turn black (too hot), or blank (too cold). In hot climates, covering the display from direct sunlight is generally sufficient to prevent the screen from becoming unreadable. In co ld weath er cli mates, i t is advis able to keep the Vibrex unit in a warm enough place (near or above freezing if possible) to ensure its continued use.

3.2.1.1 Adjusting Screen Contrast

With the Vibrex unit powered up, use the raised buttons on the arrowheads to the right of the display to adjust screen contrast for easy viewing.

The display’s contrast changes with changes in temperature. As the unit warms, the screen stabilizes at a darker setting than viewed when powered up initially. Small corrections, using the arrowhead buttons, restore the scree n to a comf ortable viewing con trast. Th e user may use the contrast keys at any time.

3.2.1.2 Screen Operations

The Vibrex unit’s display has the following operational characteristics:

• Plain brackets ([]) display to indicate choices for alpha or numeric

(alpha-numeric) entries. The user may edit the information between the bracke ts.

• Generally, a cursor blinks inside the brackets, indicating the space is ready for the appropriate type of data entry.

• Angle brackets (< >) indicate that the user has preprogrammed choices. Press the adjacent context key to cycle through the available choices.

• Up (^) or down ( information that can be displayed, than the eight lines shown. Press the context key next to the arrowhead to see the remaining information.

) arrows on th e left margin indica te there is more

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 19

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

3.2.1.3 Self-Test Screen

The unit automa ti cal l y performs a built-in te st (BIT) every time it po we rs up. Important characteristics of this test are

• The self-test does not check the cables or sensors attached to those cables.

• The Self-test screen displays directly after the user powers up the unit, telling the user that the BIT is taking place. If there are no problems, the Main Menu screen displays after a few seconds.

• If the BIT discove rs any problems, see Sect ion 6.4 “Trou bleshooti ng” on page 145 for details on troubleshooting.

3.2.2 Keypad

The V ibrex 2000 and V ibre x 2000 Plus have a simple, easy-to use keypad on the front panel, for entering data and doing operations.

This keypad has the following general types of keys:

• Alpha-numeric

• Dedicated

•Context

3.2.2.1 Alpha-Numeric Keys

Use the keys in the unit’s alpha-numeric keypad for entering numbers, letters, and some symbols.

To enter the indicated number (numeral one in the example below), press the desired key once. To enter a letter, press the desire d key se ver al times until the display cycles to the desired letter.

A B C

20 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Basic Features

For example, to enter a number one in the display, press the 1KEY one time. To enter a desired letter, using this key, do one of the following actions:

• For A, press the

• For B, press the

• For C, press the

NOTE: In this user guide, plain show a dedicated key on the Vibrex unit. Italic

1KEY twice. 1KEY three times. 1KEY four times.

BOLD CAPS

appear in print to

BOLD CAPS

indicate a context key.

Use the same actions with all the alpha-numeric keys. For another example, the press this key once. For D, press the

2KEY includes the letters D, E, and F. For the number two,

2KEY tw ice, for E three times, and

so on.

3.2.2.2 Dedicated Keys

The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus have several dedicated keys that perform often-used functions. Find these keys next to the alpha-numeric keypad.

The following list names the dedicated keys and gives their uses:

ON/OFF The power button see Section 5.2 “Beginning

Operation” on page 62

ST ART Analogous to the Enter (Return) key on a personal

computer (PC). It initiates actions based on prompts the user sees on the display or accepts changes and edits already made.

GO BACK Functions like the PC Escape key or Windows

Cancel button. It returns the screen displ ay to the last screen shown or returns the display to the Main Menu screen.

CAUTION: In most screens the

GO BACK

key undoes changes and

edits already made. Pressing this key erases data entered.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 21

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

REVIEW Reviews data and solutions that were part of a

previous exercise, fo r example, a propel ler balance or spectrum.

Offers selections of data in the memory that the user

can print. For details on the printing feature, see Section 3.3 “Printing Data” on page 23.

SPACE Acts as a multi-functi onal key. Use it as a space when

entering information, changing signs for numbers, and entering slashes. The user may also use it to return directly to the main m enu. This funct ion is available o nly on inactiv e screens, that is, screens with no active revolutions per minute (RPM) or test.

3.2.2.3 Context Keys

There are four unlabeled keys to the left of the display. These are the context keys. One or more of these keys may be active when there is a pointer on the display next to the key on the front panel.

These keys perform operat ion s re levant to the screen currently di spl ay ed, for example, data entry, channel selections, or makin g other choic es.

3.2.3 Channel Configuration

The table below shows the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus units’ channel configurati on choi ces .

RPM A RPM B Velocimeter No. 1 Velocimeter No. 2

22 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

1A 1B

2A 2B

Printing Data

For example, selecting configuration 1A means the Vibrex unit is using channels No. 1 and A. The channel names shown in the previous table represent the following values:

• Numbers refer to the Velocimeter (vibration) transducer channel(s) the Vibrex unit is using and show values in IPS.

• Letters refer to the photocell or magneti c pickup (az imuth) chan nel(s) being used and show values in RPM.

Choosing a Channel Entry -

context key next to the screen display line that contains the angle brackets, until the desired channel entry displays.

As many times as necessary, press the

3.3 Printing Data

The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus allow the user to print hard-copy readouts of collected data or status information. The systems print through an RS-232 serial port on the connector subpanel. Because of the large sele ction of serial p rinters , it is i mpossible to addres s every setup for every printer. For details, refer to any appropriate PC and/or printer manual that pertains to the user’s computer system.

3.3.1 Direct Seria l Printing

To connect the Vibrex unit to a Seiko Model DPU-414 printer, connect the nine-pin DBA female cabl e that ter minate s against a 9- to 25-pin male adapter. Use an adapter that has the No. 5 pin of the 9-pin connector switched to the No. 7 pin of the 25-pin connector.

This switching can occur on the adapter or in the 9- to 9-pin cable or in the 9- to 25-pin connector. This type of setup works for most other serial printers as well.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 23

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

3.3.1.1 Basic Settings

See the following table for a list of the bas ic settings to use for downloading data from the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus to any printer and/or serial interface.

Parameter Setting

Baud rate 9600 Number of bits 8 Number of stop bits 1 Parity None Xon/Xoff Supported

3.3.1.2 Connecting the Printer

Connect a Seiko Model DPU-414 printer to the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus, as follows:

1. Connect the printer cable No. 610-449 to the Vibrex unit and the printer.

2. Turn the printer ON and press the emitting diode (LED) is not illuminated.

3. Select the desired information to be printed in the Vibrex unit and press

PRINT.

NOTE: If the batterie s ar e dep le te d in t h e DPU- 414, connect the ac wall adapter (No. 610-463 for 1 10 Vac or No. 610-463A for 220 V ac) and operate the printer normally.

ONLINE button if the on-line light-

Setting DIP Switches -

The start-up settings and input method can be set by the DIP switches (DIP SW). Set the printer’s DIP switches, a s follows:

1. Slide the power switch to OFF.

2. Slide the power switch to ON while pressing the

Release the

ONLINE button after a list of the cu rrent settings starts

ONLINE button.

printing out (see page 26).

24 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Printing Data

3. The printout of the current settings is followed by the prompt:

Continue? : Push ‘On-line SW’ Write? : Push ‘Paper feed SW’

• To change the DIP SW settings, push the

ONLINE button, and go

to step 4.

• To leave the DIP SW settings unchanged, push the

FEED button,

and go to step 6.

4. Dip SW1 is printed, prompting the input of new settings for switch No. 1 through 8 of DIP SW-1.

NOTE: Always input either ON or OFF for eve ry sett ing in or der fo r switch No. 1 through 8 because the DIP SW set mode cannot be canceled once it is initiated.

• ON can be set by pushing the

pushing the

FEED button once.

• The setting is printed out after the

ONLINE button once and OFF by

ONLINE or FEED button is

pushed to confirm the new setting.

5. As soon as switch No. 8 is set, the printer once again prompts with Continue? or Write?, and stops. Repeat step 3 for DIP SW-2 and -3.

NOTE: The on-line lamp lights when the and the off-line lamp when the

FEED

ONLINE

button is pressed

button is pressed to allow

confirmation of the button operation.

6. After the

FEED button is pushed, the on-line and off-line lamps

alternately blink, and the new settings are written to memory. When the printer finishes writing everything to memory, the DIP SW setting complete message is printed out, and the printer returns to the on-line mode.

7. As soon as switch No. 8 of DIP SW-3 is set, the printer writes the settings to memory regardless of which button (

ONLINE or FEED) is

pushed. See page 26 for an example of the settings printout.

CAUTION: Never turn the prin ter off while it is wr iting the new settings to memory. Always wait until the DIP SW setting complete message is printed, then turn the power off.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 25

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

Dip Switch Setting Printout Example

[DIP SW setting mode]

Dip SW-1

1 (OFF) : Input = Serial 2 (ON : Printing Speed = High 3 (OFF) : Auto Loading = OFF 4 (ON) : Auto LF = ON 5 (OFF) : Setting Command = Disable 6 (OFF) : Printing 7 (ON) : Density 8 (ON) : = 100%

Dip SW-2

1 (ON) : Columns = 40 2 (ON) : User Font Back-up = ON

3 (ON) : Character Select = Normal 4 (ON) : Zero = Normal

5 (ON) : International 6 (ON) : Character 7 (ON) : Set 8 (OFF) : U.S.A.

Dip SW-3

1 (ON) : Data Length = 8 bits 2 (ON) : Parity Setting = No 3 (ON) : Parity Condition = Odd 4 (ON) : Busy Control = H/W Busy 5 (OFF) : Baud 6 (ON) : Rate 7 (ON) : Select 8 (ON) : = 9600 bps

Continue? : Push ‘On-line SW’ Write? : Push ‘Paper feed SW'

DIP SW setting complete!!

26 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Printing Data

3.3.2 P rinting With a PC

This section explains how to print in a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT environment. Connect the Vibrex 2000 or V ibrex 2000 Plus to the PC with a nine-pin serial connector, used by most computers.

NOTE: From this point on, the text uses Windows when referring to all three of these operating systems.

For an illustration of the general printing setup with a PC, see the diagram below.

3.3.2.1 Downloading Data

To print data from the Vibrex unit, using a PC, the user must first download that data from the unit to an IBM-compatible PC running Windows. Do this action by using the V2K Download Software program that comes with the Vibrex kit.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 27

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

NOTE: First, make sure you installed the V2K Download Part No. 14129 software o n your PC, f ollowi ng the ins tructi ons o n the f loppy disk.

Download Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus data, using the V2K Download Software program, as follows:

1. Connect the Vibrex unit to your PC, using the 9-pin DBA female connector to a 9-pin DBA female connector. This is called a straight- through cable connection (see the diagram on page 27).

2. Run the V2K Download software in your PC.

3. Power up the Vibrex unit.

4. Click on the

OPEN NEW button in the V2K Download software.

5. Type in the na me of the file you wish to con tain the data, then cli ck on

OPEN.

6. Click on

CAPTURE FROM V2K.

7. At the Vibrex unit, select the data to be stored from the Print or Review menu.

8. Press

PRINT or START.

9. Downloaded data is displayed on scree n. Data is now st ored in th e PC for later use.

CAUTION: Attempting to download data without the V2K Download Software program is cumbersome and may result in lost data. Contact your Chadwick-Helmuth provider for ordering information for this program, if you do not already have it.

For more details on how to download data to a PC, see the V2K Download Software User Guide.

28 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Printing Data

The following example shows an annotated sample Vibrex unit printout on hard copy:

NAME: SPECTRUM AC: Vibrex 2000 LOG#: 1 LTYP: R

RUN EXERCISE

TID: Vibrex 2000 SSRT: 1

DAY/DATE TAKEN

SNAME: Unknown Regm DATE: 04-09-1997

TIME TAKEN

TIME: 08:08:01 SPC#: 1 SDRSC:CSNA 206 VCH: 1

VIBRATION CHANNEL

ANNOTATION

ACH: 1 FRQH: 333.3333

AZIMUTH CHANNEL

UNITS: IPS SP: 0.001000

SPECTRUM RANGE IN Hz (Hz X 60 = RPM)

RPM: 480 BINS: 400 0

VIBRATION UNITS

112 61

RPM SIGNAL

8 1

BIN NO. 1

1 11

3.3.3 Reading FFT Data

One of the types of data available to print in the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus spectral data file is called raw FFT. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) is a method used to record vibration spec tra dig ital ly. An FFT consists of individual bins (also called lines). Each bin contains a percentage of the RPM range. The user may determine the actual RPM range contained in each bin by dividing the spectrum range (in RPM) by the number of bins.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 29

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

The Vibrex unit uses a 400-bin FFT setup. If the f re quen cy range selected is 0 to 24,000 RPM, each bin consists of 60 RPM worth of vibration energy. As the RPM range goes down, the bins hold fewer RPM, so the RPM accuracy is generally improved for the spectrum. When the user prints raw FFT data, both the header information containing the annotation, channels numbers, RPM range, day/date code, and so on are recorded with the vibration energy in each bin.

The number in each line of the FFT as printed in the Terminal or Hyperterminal program is equal to the inches per second (IPS) divided by 1000. For example, if the range selected was 24,000 RPM, the 9

numerical entry after the 0, would correspond to 540 RPM in the

spectra and the 200

bin (line) would correspond to 12,000 RPM.

bin

The value in storing t he vibrati on measur ements a s FFT data lies in its PC versatility. The user can create plots and graphs of the data, using the Chadwick-Helmuth V2K Plot Software program. For details on how to use this program to plot FFT data, see the V2K Plot Software User Guide.

3.3.4 Using the PRINT Key

Only data that has been stored to history and the operating Status screen may be printed. The two methods of finding desired information to be printed are

• Global printing from the

• Printing with the

REVIEW and PRINT keys

PRINT key

This section explains these printing modes.

30 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Printing Data

3.3.4.1 Global Printing

After powering up the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus, the user may press the user may select an option under any of the following context keys:

• PRINT PROP RUNS

• PRINT BALANCE MEAS

• PRINT SPECTRUM

•STATUS/PRINT

The paragraphs that follow explain these options.

PRINT key to access a global Print menu. From this menu, the

Printing Propeller Run Results -

under the

PRINT PROP RUNS

context key: Prints the latest run stored to memory. Prints all the runs, adjustments, and

sensitivities for the lat est pr opell er bala nce run in memory.

Prints all propeller balance runs stored to memory.

Prints the log book entry for the current session. The log book entry may only be printed if the last balance measurement, confirming a good balance.

Printing Balance Measurements -

choices under the

PRINT BALANCE MEAS

Prints the latest measurement stored to memory.

Prints all propeller balance runs stored to memory.

The user has the following choices

key was pressed after a

DONE

The user has the following

context key:

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 31

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

Printing Spectrum Measurements -

choices under the

PRINT SPECTRUM

Prints the latest measurement stored to

The user has the following

soft key:

memory.

Prints all spectrum lists stored to memory. Prints the 10 highest peaks f or a sp ectru m wit h

the information block for the acquisition.

Prints the order list of half through 12thorders in half increments, if an azimuth signal was present with the information block for the acquisition.

Prints the vibration energy in each of the 400 bins of the FF T with the information block for the acquisition.

NOTE: It is not advisable to print the

RAW FFT

data, using a thermal printer. Use this feature primarily for PCs with their own software programs that generate graphic spectra.

Printing Status Information and Fault Log -

The user may print

Vibrex unit status information, as follows:

1. From the Main Menu screen, press

STATUS

. Allow the Vibrex unit to

complete its battery voltage and sensor power tests. The Vibrex 2000 gives the user its test results by showing the battery

voltage and an OK or the FAIL message for sensor power.

2. Make sure to set up th e printer then press

PRINT.

The resulting printout shows the status of the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus and includes a fault log. If the unit cannot operate or if there is an error in operation, the Vibrex unit makes an appropriate entry in the fault log. For help in in terpreting the fault log, contact ChadwickHelmuth Customer Support.

32 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Printing Data

3.3.4.2 Printing With REVIEW and PRINT Keys

Using the REVIEW key, the user may review and select specific readings or sessions for printi ng. The u ser may sel ect any of the fol lowing printi ng categories:

Prop Runs Select the propel ler measuremen t, rear mea surement,

or adjustment to be printed and press

and press START or PRINT.

PRINT. Sel ect

Spectrum Select the run to be printed and press

then press START or PRINT.

PRINT. Select

When the user selects a run to be printed by the

REVIEW

key, the user may choose the raw FFT data

for any individual spectrum.

Bal Measurement Select the measurement to be printed and press

PRINT. Select ST ART or PRINT.

then press

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 33

Chapter 3 - Getting Started

34 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Chapter 4

Installation

This chapter give s basic informat ion on equipment a nd other materia ls for using the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus Digital Dynamic Balancer/ Analyzer systems, as well as general installation guidelines. Chapter 4 contains the following sections:

4.1 Installation: Introduction ........................................................35

4.2 Vibrex 2000 Basic Equipment.................................................. 3 6

4.4 General Installation ................................................................48

4.5 Sample Installations................................................................ 59

4.1 Installation: Introduction

The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus accept the following types of transducer inputs:

• Velocimeter

•Photocell system

• Magnetic pickup

This chapter explains general installation procedures for using the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus to collect data, using these transducers. For more detailed instructions on transducer placement and data collection, see the relevant equipment documentation and/or the maintenance manual for th e subject aircraft.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 35

Chapter 4 - Installation

In addition, this chapter contains lists of Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus-related equipment, as well as descriptions of some sample aircraft installations. For more information, refer to The Smooth Propeller manual.

Upgrade Kit -

V ibr ex 2000 Plus system. Contact Chadwick-Helmuth Customer S uppor t for details on the Upgrade Kit. See the table below.

The user may easil y upgrade the Vibrex 2000 system to a

Qty. Description Part No.

1 Vibrex 2000 Plus unit upgrade 13590-10 1 V2K Download/Plot Program kit

(optional)

15178

4.2 Vibrex 2000 Basic Equipment

This section provides a series of tables that list the different types of equipment available with the Vibrex 2000.

4.2.1 V2K Propeller Balance Kits

Each V i brex 2000 unit has the f ollowi ng sepa rate types of f ixed- wing ki ts for propeller balance:

• Single-engine

• Twin-engine

36 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Vi brex 2000 Bas ic Equip ment

4.2.1.1 V2K Single-Engine Kits

The following table shows a list of Chadwick-Helmuth equipment and accessories available with the Vibrex 2000 system for single-engine propeller balance operations:

Qty. Description Part No.

1 Vibrex 2000 Balancer 13590-3 1 Propeller Protractor 13053 1 Carrying Case - Fixed Wing 13771 1 Velocimeter 7310 1 Cable Velocimeter 50 ft 11210-50 1 Bracket Transducer 0.28 HL SS 3382-1 1 Photocell Banner 3 ft 12900 1 Cable Tracker 50 ft 11247-50 1 Bracket Photocell 10423-1 2 Retro-Reflective Target Patches 10444 1 V2K Download Software program 15164 1 V2K Download Software User Guide 14984 1 Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User

Guide 1 The Smooth Propeller Manual, Version 2 9511-2 1 V2K Fixed Wing Training Video (VHS) 610-455

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 37

User Guide No. 13841-6

Chapter 4 - Installation

4.2.1.2 V2K Twin-Engine Kits

The following table shows a list of Chadwick-Helmuth equipment and accessories available with the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus system for twin-engine propeller balance operations:

Qty. Description Part No.

1 Vibrex 2000 Balancer 13590-3 1 Propeller Protractor 13053 1 Carrying Case - Fixed Wing 13771 2 Velocimeter 7310 2 Cable Velocimeter 50 ft 11210-50 2 Bracket Transducer 0.28 HL SS 3382-1 2 Photocell Banner 3 ft 12900 2 Cable Tracker 50 ft 11247-50 1 Mounting Bracket Photocell 10423-1 2 Retro-Reflective Target Patches 10444 1 V2K Download Software program 15178 1 V2K Download Software User Guide 14984 1 Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User

Guide 1 The Smooth Propeller Manual (Version 2) 9511-2 1 V2K Fixed Wing Training Video (VHS) 610-455

38 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

User Guide No. 13841-6

Vi brex 2000 Bas ic Equip ment

4.2.2 V2K Rotor Track & Balance Kits

The following table shows a list of Chadwick-Helmuth equipment and accessories available with the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus system for helicopter rotor track-and-balance operations:

Qty. Description Part No.

1 Vibrex 2000 Balancer 13590-3 1 Tail Rotor Protractor 13871 1 Propeller Protractor 13053 1 Carrying Case - Rotary Wing 13842 2 Velocimeter 7310 1 Cable Velocimeter 50 ft 11210-50 1 Cable Velocimeter 20 ft 11210-20 2 Bracket Transducer 0.28 HL SS 3382-1 2 Bracket Transducer 0.38 HL SS) 3383-1 1 Photocell Banner 3 ft 12900 1 Cable Tracker 50 ft 11247-50 1 Bracket Photocell 10423-1 2 Retro-Reflective Target Patches 10444 1 Model 3030 Magnetic Pickup 5876 1 Cable Magnetic Pickup 25 ft 10808-25 1 Strobex Blade Tracker Model 135M-12 8620 1 DC Cable Assembly (with battery clips) 3140-5 1 Cable Strobex 13797 1 set Tip Targets Laminated, 60 PCS 4270-1

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 39

Chapter 4 - Installation

Qty. Description (Continued) Part No.

1 Model 135M-12 Strobex Operation and

Maintenance Manual 1 V2K Download Software program 15164 1 V2K Download Software User Guide 14984 1 Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User

Guide 1 V2K Helicopter Training Video (VHS) 610-453

9076

User Guide No. 13841-6

4.2.3 V2K Helicopter and Fixed Wing Kit

The following table shows a list of Chadwick-Helmuth equipment and accessories avai lable with th e V ibr ex 2000 system for helicopter rotor a nd fixed wing kit:

Qty. Description Part No.

40 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Vibrex 2000 Plus Equipment

Qty. Description (Continued) Part No.

1 Cable Tracker 50 ft 11247-50 1 Mounting Bracket Photocell 10423-1 2 Retro-Reflective Target Patches 10444 1 Model 3030 Magnetic Pickup 5876 1 Cable Magnetic Pickup 25 ft 10808-25 1 Strobex Blade Tracker Model 135M-12 8620 1 DC Cable Assembly (with battery clips) 3140-5 1 Cable Strobex 13797 1 set Tip Targets Laminated, 60 PCS 4270-1 1 Model 135M-12 Strobex Operation and

Maintenance Manual 1 The Smooth Propeller Manual (Version 2) 9511-2 1 Manual Chart Fundamentals 8016 1 V2K Download Software program 15178 1 V2K Download Software User Guide 14984 1 Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User

Guide 1 V2K Helicopter Training Video (VHS) 610-453 1 V2K Fixed Wing Training Video (VHS) 610-455

9076

User Guide No. 13841-6

4.3 Vibrex 2000 Plu s Equipment

This section provides a series of tables that list the different types of equipment available with the Vibrex 2000 Plus systems.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 41

Chapter 4 - Installation

4.3.1 V2K Plus Propeller Balance Kits

Each Vibrex unit (Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus) has the following separate types of fixed-wing kits for propeller balance:

• Single-engine

• Twin-engine

4.3.1.1 V2K Plus Single-Engine Kit

The following table shows a list of Chadwick-Helmuth equipment and accessories available with the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus system for single-engine propeller balance operations:

Qty. Description Part No.

1 Vibrex 2000 Balancer 13590-3 1 Propeller Protractor 13053 1 Carrying Case - Fixed Wing 13771 1 Velocimeter 7310 1 Cable Velocimeter 50 ft 11210-50 1 Bracket Transducer 0.28 HL SS 3382-1 1 Photocell Banner 3 ft 12900 1 Cable Tracker 50 ft 11247-50 1 Bracket Photocell 10423-1 2 Retro-Reflective Target Patches 10444 1 V2K Combo Download/Plot Software 15178 1 V2K Download Software User Guide 14984 1 Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User

Guide

42 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

User Guide No. 13841-6

Vibrex 2000 Plus Equipment

Qty. Description (Continued) Part No.

1 The Smooth Propeller Manual, Version 2 9511-2 1 V2K Fixed Wing Training Video (VHS) 610-455

4.3.1.2 V2K Plus Twin-Engine Kit

The following table shows a list of Chadwick-Helmuth equipment and accessories available with the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus system for twin-engine propeller balance operations:

Qty. Description Part No.

1 Vibrex 2000 Plus Balancer 14990 1 Propeller Protractor 13053 1 Carrying Case - Fixed Wing) 13771 2 Velocimeter 7310 2 Cable Velocimeter 50 ft 11210-50 2 Bracket Transducer 0.28 HL SS 3382-1 2 Photocell Banner 3 ft 12900 2 Cable Tracker 50 ft 11247-50 1 Mounting Bracket Photocell 10423-1 2 Retro-Reflective Target Patches 10444 1 V2K Combo Download/Plot Software 15178 1 Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User

Guide 1 The Smooth Propeller Manual (Version 2) 9511-2 1 V2K Fixed Wing Training Video (VHS) 610-455

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 43

User Guide No. 13841-6

Chapter 4 - Installation

4.3.2 V2K Plus Rotor Track & Balance Kit

The following table shows a list of Chadwick-Helmuth equipment and accessories available with the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus system for helicopter rotor track-and-balance operations:

Qty. Description Part No.

1 Vibrex 2000 Plus Balancer 14990 1 Tail Rotor Protractor 13871 1 Carrying Case - Rotary Wing 13842 2 Velocimeter 7310 1 Cable Velocimeter 50 ft 11210-50 1 Cable Velocimeter 20 ft 11210-20 2 Bracket Transducer 0.28 HL SS 3382-1 2 Bracket Transducer 0.38 HL SS) 3383-1 1 Photocell Banner 3 ft 12900 1 Cable Tracker 50 ft 11247-50 1 Mounting Bracket Photocell 10423-1 2 Retro-Reflective Target Patches 10444 1 Model 3030 Magnetic Pickup 5876 1 Cable Magnetic Pickup 25 ft 10808-25 1 Strobex Blade Tracker Model 135M-12 8620 1 DC Cable Assembly (with battery clips) 3140-5 1 Cable Strobex 13797 1 set Tip Targets Laminated, 60 PCS 4270-1

44 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Vibrex 2000 Plus Equipment

Qty. Description (Continued) Part No.

1 Model 135M-12 Strobex Operation and

Maintenance Manual 1 V2K Combo Download Software 15178 1 Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User

Guide 1 V2K Helicopter Training Video (VHS) 610-453

9076

User Guide No. 13841-6

4.3.3 V2K Plus Helicopter & Fixed Wing Kit

The following table shows a list of Chadwick-Helmuth equipment and accessories avai lable with th e V ibre x 2000 system for helicopter roto r and fixed wing kit:

Qty. Description Part No.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 45

Chapter 4 - Installation

Qty. Description (Continued) Part No.

2 Retro-Reflective Target Patches 10444 1 Model 3030 Magnetic Pickup 5876 1 Cable Magnetic Pickup 25 ft 10808-25 1 Strobex Blade Tracker Model 135M-12 8620 1 DC Cable Assembly (with battery clips) 3140-5 1 Cable Strobex 13797 1 set Tip Targets Laminated, 60 PCS 4270-1 1 Model 135M-12 Strobex Operation and

9076

Maintenance Manual 1 The Smooth Propeller Manual (Version 2) 9511-2 1 Manual Chart Fundamentals 8016 1 V2K Combo Download/Plot Software 15178 1 Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User

Guide

User Guide

No. 13841-6 1 V2K Helicopter Training Video (VHS) 610-453 1 V2K Fixed Wing Training Video (VHS) 610-455

46 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Vibrex 2000 Plus Equipment

4.3.4 Optional Equipment

The following table shows a li st of optio nal Chadwi ck-Helmuth an d other equipment/accessories not included in either the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus kits for rotor or propeller, but are helpful for general operations:

Qty. Description Part No.

1 Gram scale 11245 1 Thermal printer kit (portable) P5017 1 Velocimeter cable assembly (50-ft,

low profile)

1 Model 9850 Signal Simulator (for

function test)

1 V2K Combo Download/Plot Software

(standard with the Vibrex 2000 Plus) 1 V2K Plot Software User Guide 14984 As

needed As

needed

Additional Velocimeters As listed

Additional Velocimeter brackets As listed

Additional Velocimeter cables As listed

Additional Bracket Transducer 0.22

HL SS

Bench Test Kit Contact

11900-50

9850

15178

3382-1

ChadwickHelmuth

As needed

Vibrex 200 Printer Kit CKit

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 47

Chapter 4 - Installation

a. In the previous table, see the earlier tables in this chapter for part

numbers referred to as “As listed.”

The user may contact Chadwick-Helmuth Product Support for more information about this equipment and/or how to purchase accessories or additional items.

4.3.5 Carrying Case

The illustration below shows how to fit the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus system components into their carrying case.

Foam

(4) Spare Batterys

(2) Magnetic Pickups

Strobex

Gram Scale (optional)

Weight

Photocells

Cable, misc. storage

Vibrex 2000

(2) Velocimeters

4.4 General Installation

This section explains general installation procedures for the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus systems. The connector subpanel at the top of the unit contains all the major installation interfaces for input and output.

48 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

General Installation

Channel Descriptions -

The following table shows each channel, identified by its appropriate label on the Vibrex unit, along with a description of the channel’s identification and general function.

Channel Description

VELO 1 Velocimeter channel No. 1 VELO 2 Velocimeter channel No. 2 MAG PU / PHOTOCELL A Photocell or magnetic pickup channel A MAG PU / PHOTOCELL B Photocell or magnetic pickup channel B AUX OUTPUT Auxiliary output for a nine-pin RS-232

serial cable; for int erfacin g the unit with a personal computer (PC), a printer, or the Strobex

Connector Description -

the connector subpanel.

The diagram below shows an illustration of

PC OR PRINTER INTERFACE OR STROBEX SYNCHRONIZATION OUT PULSE

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 49

Chapter 4 - Installation

4.4.1 Velocimeters

In general, the user may use guidelines given in The Smooth Propeller to determine correct Velocimeter placement with the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus system. In addition, the user may use the following general guidelines for making sure the Velocimeters are in the correct locations:

• Mount the balance Velocimeter as near to the plane of rotation of the propeller as practically possible.

• The check Velocimeter is mounted at the rear of the engine. A rear Velocimeter is mounted when the mass of the crank shaft and propeller extend across some longitudinal dis ta nce , su ch as are found in most direct-drive reciprocating engines.

• It is not necessary to mount a che ck Velocimeter on geared engines or radial engines. The purpose of the check Velocimeter is to ensure the imbalance comes from differences in the mass of the propeller and not the crank shaft. Failure to monitor the rear of the engine and attempting to balance may deteriorate the apparent vibration rather than decrease it, even though the level at the front of the engine goes down.

• Normally, for a direct-drive engine, the front and rear of the engine provide measurements of similar amounts of imbalance, but at opposite clock angle s (if bot h Velocimeters point the same dir ectio n). As the front of the engine becomes displaced upward by the imbalance the rear of the engine shows a downward displacement, and so on.

• When an imbalance happens solely because of propeller mass differences, as the front inches-per-second (IPS) vibration level goes down, the rear IPS also becomes reduced to acceptable levels.

• If the balance IPS level goes down and the rear IPS remain s the same or is reduced, the effect of balancing is still correct for the engine. If the balance IPS level goes down but the rear IPS increases, the propeller does not need to be balanced. The cause of t h e i mbal anc e i s probably the crank shaft or an asymmetric aerodynamic loading on the propeller.

50 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

General Installation

• The user can check for an symmetric loading on the propeller by dynamically tracking the propeller with the Strobex. If the user can discount the propeller as a source of any vibration, the only way to correct the problem is to examine the crank shaft.

• There are several commonly used locations on flat opposed engines. Because of differences in cowling, baffling, and accessory sections, make sure that the transducer is mounted in such a way that the engine can get enough air for cooling during its run-up.

Velocimeter Brackets -

application kits are adequate for general use.

Generally the brackets supplied in the

4.4.2 P hotocell System

The operational end of the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus photocell system is the Banner photocell probe (from now on called the photocell). This unit is self-contained and uses a visible red light (650 nm) from a light-emitting diode (LED) triggered by a retro-reflective target. This light reflection sends a one-per-revolution pulse to the Vibrex unit for frequency-and-balance phase measurement.

Photocell Range -

approximately 7 ft. For the best result s, place th e photocel l approximat ely 2 ft from its companion retro-reflective target.

Getting Started -

Turn the Vibrex unit on and press the following keys (in this sequence):

PROPELLER BAL ANCE, START, START

These key strokes activate the photocell syst em. Make sure to acti vate the system before placing the retro-reflective target on the rotating object.

The effective range of the photocell is 3 in. to

The photocell receives power from the Vibrex unit.

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 51

Chapter 4 - Installation

4.4.2.1 Retro-Reflective Target

Keep the following important characteristics of target reflection in mind, when using the photocell:

• Chadwick-Helmuth recommends using the retro-reflective target supplied in the kit, with the photocell. This retro-reflective target is unique because it reflects light back to its illuminati ng source. On close examination, the target consists of thousands of small glass beads or prisms held on an adhesive backing held in place on the rotating component with adhesive.

• The Chadwick-Helmuth targets are only retro-reflective if the glass beads are left exposed. Coating the glass beads with any clear sealer destroys the retro-reflective quality of the target.

• The user can use corner-cube retro -r ef lec ti ve tap e. The user can identify this type of tape by a chain-link pattern on the surface, and a glossy surface finish.

• The use of reflective tapes is no t rec ommende d. Refl ectiv e tap es have very narrow return angles and must be mounted in such a way that allows the background reflection to adversely affect the gain of the photocell.

• Other retro-reflective tapes are similarly not recommended unless they are the same material as the Chadwick-Helmuth retro-reflective targets.

• The glass bead density (which determines the percent of retroreflectiveness) of garden variety retro-reflective tapes (such as that found on highway cone s or s urviva l jac kets) is l ess t han 50 percent of our target in most cases. In most cases these tapes are inadequate as retro-reflective targets for the photocell.

The correct size of the retro-reflective target depends on the distance between the photoc ell a nd t he reflective targ et, as well as the speed of the retro-reflective target as it passes through the photocell beam.

The orientation of the photocell can also vary, depending on the size of the target. A singl e st r ip of the Chadwi ck- H el muth r et ro- re fl ec tive target, aligned so it dwells in the photocell beam for the longest period of time, is usually adequate. For details, see the diagram on page 56.

52 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

General Installation

4.4.2.2 General Photocell Use

The photocell triggers, that is it sends the timing pulse to the balancer, as the target leaves the photocell beam. This being the case, if the user wants to do really accurate alignment of the target in the beam between adjustments, simply pull the target through the photocell beam until the alignment light on the back side of the photocell just goes out, then stop.

Using an erasable marker, make two marks next to each other, one on the spinner and one on t he cowl. It doesn't ma tter wh ere. One can then alway s align these marks and know the photocell beam is aligned with the target on every adjustment. Over the long haul, this accuracy will save quite a bit of time, and eliminate errors in target placement.

Most of the targets are rectangular. Most of the installations for the photocell result in a beam that hits the propeller in an arc. It is possible that the beam might “c ut” the tar get at something less th an its lengt h. This is truer of placements close to the center of rotation than farther away. Keep in mind the pitch of the propeller can change too, causing loss of signal on the target.

4.4.2.3 Repair of Photocell Wiring.

The photocell is used in the sourcing mode. The wire color codes are shown in the table below.

Color Source Pin

Brown +10-30 Vdc A Blue DC Common B Black Signal Source D White Signal Sink Not Used

Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus User Guide 53

Chapter 4 - Installation

4.4.2.4 Photocell Placement

When mounting the photocell system, the user must take care in positioning the photocell probe. The two lenses of the photocell probe work best when

• They are tangent to the arc created by the retro-reflective target (see the illustration on page 56).

• The retro-reflective target is aligned tangent to the arc created by the radius where it is attached.

Photocell Procedures -

probe, as follows:

1. Rotate the component to be balanced to a position where a blade or some easily identifiable part of the rotating assembly crosses the photocell beam.

2. Place a retro-reflective target on the rotating component where it can be illuminated by the photocell beam. Make sure to align the target strip tangentially relative to the component’s circular motion.

NOTE: The user can locate correct placement of the target by checking the small LED, pulsating on the back of the photocell probe. This LED is the alignm ent indicator. As the LED pulses faster (at a higher rate), it indicates better alignment. However, if the pulse rate is too fast to observe, the user must reduce the size of the target.

Locate a specific placement for the photocell

54 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

General Installation

3. Mount the photocell probe in an optimum position, using the photocell bracket (see the example diagram below).

VELOCIMETER

PHOTOCELL PROBE

PHOTOCELL BRACKET

VELOCIMETER BRACKET

In most cases, the user can collocate the probe with the Velocimeter, but for some installations, the user may need to mount the probe by itself, using the single mounting screw provision.

NOTE: The user may need to experiment with several mounting techniques and/or positions to find the optimum positioning.

Incident Light -

Unwanted light that reflects into the photocell probe could result in incorrect m easurements . This type of light is called incident light, that is, light hitting the assembly when the target is not in line with the beam. For example, light reflected from a shiny surface that enters the photocell probe is incident light.

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Chapter 4 - Installation

For the best results, mount the photocell probe so any incident light is reflected away from the photocell’s beam (see the diagram below). This position is espec ially necess ary when the tar get at taches to bright met al or glossy surfaces.

The illustration below shows an example of correct photocell positioning for optimum retro-reflect ion.

4.4.2.5 Target Positioning

Rotate the component to be balanced to a position where a blade or some easily iden tifiable part of the rotating a ssembly crosses the photoce ll beam. Place a single retro-reflective target strip aligned tangentially on the rotating component, where t he target is illuminated by the photoce ll’s beam.

56 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

General Installation

Target Diagram -

PHOTOCELL PROBE

For details on this operation, see below.

ROTATION

photocell

RETRO-REFLECTIVE TARGET PLACED ON THE PROPELLER

DIRECTION

Check the small LED pulsating on the back of the photocell to verify correct placement. A faster pulse rate of the alignment indicator means better alignment. However, if the pulse ra te is t oo fast to obse rve, th e use r may need to reduce the length of the retro-reflective target strip.

To calculate the best dwell time and length for the retro-reflective target in the photocell beam, see the graph that shows minimum target length, under “Appendix: Photocell Taping” on page 157.

4.4.3 Magnetic Pickup

If the user needs instructions on magnetic pickup installation, refer to the aircraft maintenance manual for the subject aircraft. Refer to the appropriate Chadwick-Helmuth Model 177M-6A Vibrex checklist for magnetic pickup installation, if other documentation is inadequate. The installation for the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus is the same.

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Chapter 4 - Installation

NOTE: Generally, for helicopter main rotor installations, the user may install a magnetic pickup assembly to provide the Vibrex unit with a necessary azimuth signal. This sig nal provi des a baseli ne for taking vibration measurements, in the same way as the photocell system does for propeller balance operations. Note that the Vibrex unit uses only a single interrupter.

If the user does not have an applicable Vibrex unit checklist and require one, contact Customer Support and order it (see Section 1.2 “Product Support” on page 4).

Photocell Mounting -

target (interrupter) is anywhere from 7 in. to 7 ft. What they do not say is the size target required to use it at 7 ft. In most aviation applications the target tape would have to be so big you couldn't find anywhere to put it, and it would throw the item out of balance a good amount.

Photocell Tape Width -

Also, since the photocell requires the target to be in the beam for a specific time period, try to stay at a small radius. A target tape placed on the back of the spinner at the 6-in. radius might be 0.5 in. long (width of tape passing through the beam) for an RPM of 2400. The same target to provide the same dwell (length of time) in the beam at the 30-in. station would have to be approximately 2 in. long.

For details on cal cu lating p hot ocell t ape l ength, see “ Appen dix: Photoce ll Taping” on page 157.

The photocell’s distance fr om (ga p b et ween) t he

Try to stay in a range of bet ween 5 in. to 18 in.

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Sample Installations

4.5 Sampl e In st al la tio n s

This section gives a brief explanation of several Vibrex 2000 and V ibrex 2000 Plus installations on selected aircr aft and some gene ral typ es of aircraft. Use these summaries as guidelines for the user’s own installation operations.

4.5.1 Lycoming O/IO-320/360

There is a 1/4-20 threaded boss on the forward left-hand side of the engine crank case, which is id eal for mou nting. Of ten the Velocimeter can be mounted without removing any cowling. The photocell can be collocated with the Velocimeter on many installations.

Alternately, the forward-most backbone case half bolt may be used to mount the Velocimeter. In both installations, orient the Velocimeter with its vertical connector pointing up.

4.5.2 Lycoming O/IO-540

Occasionally these engines have a front-mounted propeller governor that offers good access and is a good place to mount. The forward-most case half bolt is always an option. On some of the up-draft installations, there are free threaded bosses near the starter.

4.5.3 Continental O/IO-470/520/550

Use the forward-most backbone bolt, if it is accessible. Otherwise, use a forward oil cooler mounting bolt. Use the bolt closest to the crank shaft. Some engines have a seal plate at the crank shaft front seal with exposed studs. These seals are cl ose to the spinner and clearance ma y be t ig ht, bu t it is a usable balance location.

4.5.4 P&W R-985/2800

Mount the Velocimeter in the horizont al position on the crank sha ft t hr ust plate immediately behind the propeller, using a slotted Velocimeter bracket (the nut cannot be removed). It is not necessary to mount a check Velocimeter on radial engines.

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Chapter 4 - Installation

4.5.5 Flat Opposed General Rules

Mount the Velocimeter as close to the plane of rotati on of the pro pel ler as possible, 90° to the piston travel. Stay within 6 to 8 in. from the engine center line.

4.5.6 Radial Engine General Rules

Mount the Velocimeter as close to the plane of rotati on of the pro pel ler as possible and 90° to the travel of the master cylinder (connected to the master rod).

4.5.7 Turbine Engines

TPE-331 -

reduction gearbox. No survey Velocimeter is necessary.

NOTE: Many TPE-331 applications have manufacturer-specific mounting locations.

PT-6A -

over-speed governor pad (whi chever is most e asily access ible) . Angle t he pads slightly in at the top. This action does not significantly affect the signal from the Velocimeter. The Velocimeter may point up or down. No survey Velocimeter is required.

Use a vertical mounting (up or down) on the face of the

Mount the Velocimeter on the tachometer generator pad or the

4.5.8 Geared Reciprocating Engines

To determine the engine revolutions per minute (RPM) from the photocell, check the engine data plate and apply the resulting ratio to the tachometer reading from the propeller.

NOTE: The propeller tachometer signa l from the photocell does not match the engine tachomet er RPM.

60 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Chapter 5

General Operation

This chapter explains pr ocedures and gives essent ial guide lines on how to operate the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus Digital Dynamic Balancer/ Analyzer systems. Chapter 5 contains the following sections:

5.1 Operation: Introduction ..........................................................61

5.2 Beginning Operation...............................................................62

5.3 Basics of Operation.................................................................65

5.4 Propeller Balancing ................................................................66

5.5 Helicopter Rotor Balancing.................................................... 90

5.6 Spectrum Analysis...................................................................109

5.1 Operation: Introduction

Primarily, the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus are sophisticated vibration and dynamic balance data collectors and processors. They acquire and store data digitally, allowing for complex processing and output (by display or pri nt er ) of any and all information received through the system’s transducers.

After a brief description of the Vibrex unit’s front panel, the rest of this chapter explains how to operate the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus to achieve these basic purposes, including propeller balance, as well as helicopter track-and-balance operations. A final section explains the Vibrex unit’s Spectrum feature.

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

For more detailed instructions on general balancing procedures, see the relevant equipment do cumentati on and/or the mainte nance manual for the subject aircraft. For additional information, the user may refer to The Smooth Propeller manual.

5.2 Beginning Operation

This section explains the first steps in starting to use the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus, including how to power up and how to use the initial screens the user sees directly afterward.

5.2.1 Powering Up

To turn the Vibrex unit on, press the ON/OFF button. To turn the unit off press the and-off features:

• To keep the user from powering down the unit unintentionally, the

• If there are no key presses or activity on the balancer for 10 min., the

• To restart the unit at any time, press the

ON/OFF button again. The unit has the following powering on-

user must hold the unit is in operation.

unit enters a “rest” mode to keep the batteries fresh.

ON/OFF

button down for at least 1 sec. while the

ON/OFF button again.

NOTE: The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus come shipped with batteries. If the batteri es run lo w or lose power, the V ibr ex unit may not power up. However, the user does not lose data stored in the memory during this time. The unit keeps data in its memory for up to 8 hr. without batteries and/or power.

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Beginning Operation

5.2.2 Main Menu Screen

Directly after the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus powers up, the Selftest screen displays (telling the user the unit is testing itself), then the Main Menu screen. The illustration below shows the Main menu.

PROPELLER BALANCE

TRACK & BALANCE SPECTRUM ANALYSIS STATUS

for help, push 1

Note the pointers on the left side of the display (see above). These indicators point to the menu options’ corresponding context keys. Using this screen, the user can access the specif ic function listed next to its indicated context key.

NOTE: From the Main Menu screen, the user may alway s press the

1KEY

for the Vibrex 2000 or Vibrex 2000 Plus On-line Help

feature. This action accesses the Help screens for all operations.

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

Main Menu Options -

The Vibrex unit’s Main Menu screen offers the

user the following options: Propeller Balance Used to acquire balance readings, provide

solutions, and compute the final installation of balance weights on propellers.

Track and Balance Used to acquire readings and select the

Chadwick-Helmuth Model 135M-12 Strobex Tracker fo r a visual blade track of prope ll ers and helicopter rotors.

Spectrum Analysis Used to identify sources of vibration. The

frequency (in RPM) of vibration is used to identify the source and the amplitude (in IPS) to determine the severity.

Status Used to initiate a self-test of the Vibrex unit. This

feature measures and displays both the battery voltage and the power to the sensors. During the test, the user first sees a rotating bar, followed by a readout of the actual voltage level of the batteries and whether the voltage supply to the sensors is adequate.

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Basics of Operation

5.3 Basics of Operation

Operate the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus, using the front panel. The illustration belo w shows views of this pa nel, with th e most important ke ys and their locations called out.

GO BACK KEY

START KEY

CONTEXT KEYS

START

KEY

CONTEXT KEYS

ALPHA-NUMERIC KEYS

KEYSALPHA NUMERIC

CONTRAST KEYS

GO BACK

ON/OFF KEY

KEY

Basic operation of th e V ibrex u nit is user fr iendly, and the user follows the simple prompts on the display’s screens, step by step, to achieve the desired result.

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

As explained under Section 5.2.2 “Main Menu Screen” on page 63, this screen displays after the Self-test screen, directly after powering up. The diagram below repeats an illustration of the Main Menu screen.

PROPELLER BALANCE

TRACK & BALANCE

MENU OPTIONS

SPECTRUM ANALYSIS STATUS

for help, push 1

POINTERS INDICA TE CONTEXT KEYS ARE ACTIVE

Use the context keys to the left of the menu option names on screen, to access the features listed. The Main Menu screen offers the user the Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus’ operating features listed in the example shown above.

ON-LINE HELP FEATURE

5.4 Propeller Balancing

Use the PROPELLER BALANCE option in the Main Menu screen for propeller bala ncing. Ente r infor mation use d to b alance t he propel ler in the resulting Propeller Balance Setup screens.

This section explains, in general, how to use the Vibrex 2000 and V ibr ex2000 Plus for typical propeller bal anc ing operations. The diagram on page 67 shows a sample setup for a fixed-wing aircraft.

66 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Propeller Balancing

channel 2 vibration sensor

photocell/magnetic pickup 2

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

5.4.1 Propeller Balance Setup

To begin a propeller balance operation, press the context key next to the Main Menu screen option PROPELLER BALANCE. The Vibrex 2000 and Vibrex 2000 Plus display the first of two Propeller Balance Setup screens. This set of screens allows the user to enter basic balance setup information.

5.4.1.1 Entering Aircraft IDs

The Vibrex unit asks for an aircraft tail number or serial number (aircraft ID). The user may use both alpha and numeric keys for this data entry, as well as the available punctuation keys. The user may use up to six characters for this entry.

Enter this information in the Vibrex 2000, using the first Propeller Balance Setup screen, as shown below.

PROPELLER BAL SETUP

AIRCRAFT ID[ ]

SELECT TO ENTER AIRCRAF T, ENGINE

ID NUMBER

ENG[ 1 ] PROP ch<1A>

PROP ch<1A>

PROP ch<1A> REAR ch<NONE>

REAR ch<NONE>

if ok, push START

68 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

SELECT TO ENTER PROPELLER CHANNEL NUMBER

SELECT TO ENTER REAR CHANNEL NUMBER

Enter (or edit) the aircraft ID, as follows:

Propeller Balancing

1. Press the label.

The Edit Aircraft ID screen displays (see below).

= EDIT AIRCRAFT ID ==

CURSOR LEFT

AIRCRAFT ID

CURSOR LEFT [ ] ENG-[ 1 ]

CURSOR RIGHT

RESTORE/RESET FIELD

if ok, push START

2. From this screen, select the places to be filled by pressing the

CURSOR LEFT or CURSOR RIGH T

under step 1).

NOTE: When the user is printing, the aircraft ID entry for the current aircraft prints out on the h ard copy . This ID a lso labels data when the user is reviewing propeller balance measurements.

context key, next to the AIRCRAFT ID

CURSOR

[ ]

ENTER THE AIRCRAFT ID NUMBER HERE; THE DEFAULT IS 1

context key (see the illustration

3. If the user makes a mistake, press the context key to start over.

4. After the user has entered the aircraft ID, press key) to return to the first Pr opeller Balanc e Setup screen .

5. The user may press action also returns the user to the previous screen.

GO BACK to cancel or undo any edits. This

RESTORE/RESET FIELD

ST ART (dedicated

5.4.1.2 Selecting Channels

The Vibrex unit defaults to the follo wing channel assignments:

• CHANNEL <1A> for the balance channel loca ted neare st the pl ane of the propeller with the notation “PROP CHAN”

• <NONE> for the rear check Velocimeter

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

After the user has set the aircraft ID and channels, as desired, press

ST ART to continue with the propeller setup operation.

Enter channel assignment information, using the first Propeller Balance Setup screen that displays.

NOTE: The user may change the channel assignments by pressing the appropriate context key, if the installation for the subject aircraft is different from the def aul t set ti ngs . This action all ows the user to select the user’s own channel assignments.

After the user makes sur e the c hannel a ssignments shown on the Prope ller Balance Setup screen are the same as the actual channels used, press

ST ART to advance to the next screen.

CAUTION: We suggest that the user perform a check run, both on the first run and after the front balance ch annel is within limits. If the rear channel is higher than the original reading after the propeller is balanced, further testing is necessary to find out the possible cause. The problem could be a propeller out of track or an imbalance in the powe r train rot ating compone nts (cran k shaft). Do not balance under this type of condition. Select channels 2A for a rear check Velocimeter, if the user is using one.

5.4.1.3 Entering Horsepower

Press START. Use the

HP ENGINE

the propeller being balanced. Since high horsepower engines necessarily require bigger and heavier propellers, this method works well for setting weight sensitivity.

70 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

context key to set the Vibrex unit for

Propeller Balancing

Enter this information, using the second Propeller Balance Setup screen, as shown below.

SELECT TO ENTER CORRECT ENGINE

PROPELLER BAL SETUP

< -100 > HP ENGINE SET SENSITIVTY

35.00 G/IPS @ 12:00

HORSEPOWER RANGE

SELECT TO ENTER CORRECT ENGINE SENSITIVITY SETTINGS

AUTO CORRECTION<ON>

if ok, push START

SELECT TO SWITCH AUTOCORRECTION FEAT URE ON OR OFF

Use the following general checkl ist to make su re the use r is workin g with the correct horsepower/weight sensitivity settings:

• The default setting for HP ENGINE is -100.

• After the user has e n te re d the correct horsepower, note the sensitivit y number displayed beneath the SET SENSITIVITY line.

• Repeated key presses of the context key scroll through the available horsepower ranges and the ir attendant sen sitivities.

• The Vibrex unit learns the response to the first weight change and corrects the sensitivity to one that is appropriate for the propeller being balanced.

NOTE: Occasionally, the user may need to be conservative on the first balance adjustment. This condition could occur, for example, with a nonstandard installation, such as a lightweight aerobatic propeller on an engin e th at normal ly car ries a metal const ant spee d propeller or on a racing pr opeller t hat has an ext ension betwe en the engine and propeller. In cases like these, use the next-lower horsepower range than the one normally used.

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

Auto Correction Feature -

the response of the rotor or propeller being worked to change the sensitivity and phase values, as follows:

• Generally, a propeller responds ac cor di ng to i ts inherent sensitivities, but the user always has the ability to put any weight, anywhere, and the Vibrex unit can learn the response to this adjustment and correct, automatically, the sensitivity and phase sense.

• The Auto Correction feature works based on a set of readings with a known change, at a known location between those readings.

• When the final solution is given, Auto Correction is automatically shut off, since additional changes would be minimal and not worth the additional time.

If the user is not weighing the weights placed on the pro pelle r, it is best to leave the Auto Correction feature <OFF>. There is no way of knowing how to correct an unknown quantity.

NOTE: The Auto Correction feature is only available with the Propeller Balance Setup screen and its associated operations.

Changing Weights -

1.0 in. per sec (IPS) displays under the SET SENSITIVITY line. This

distance is equivalent to the distance between 0 IPS and the 1.0 IPS ring on a polar chart. Note that, as the hors epower readi ng changes, the wei ght value goes up as well.

The weight required to move the balance point

This feature allows the Vibrex unit to use

The weight sensitivities are set for weight installed on the spinner mounting screws. If a location closer to the center of rotation is chosen, consider using a higher horsepower setting to increase the weight used.

5.4.1.4 Setting Sensitivity

Sensitivity refers to the response of the propeller to weight changes in

• The amount of weight per IPS move line

• The angular performance when weight is added to the blade with the reflective target

Enter this informat ion, using the Set Sen sitivity scr een. Access t his screen by pressing the Balance Setup screen (see the illustration on page 71).

72 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

SET SENSITIVITY

context key from the second Propeller

Propeller Balancing

The illustration below gives an example of the Set Sensitivity screen.

SENSITIVITY SETUP

[ 35.00] GMS/IPS

[12:00] CLOCK ANGLE

[12:00] HOURS PHAS E

CORRECTION

RESTORE/RESET FIELD

if ok, push START

General Considerations -

horsepower entry field are close to those that can balance in one or two runs. Some installations may require different sensitivity because of the aircraft configuration (for example, pusher propellers require less weight than would be indicated by their horsepower).

NOTE: The Set Sensitivity feature only applies to the propeller balance channels the user selected in the Propeller Balance Setup screens.

For most propellers, the values used in the

SELECT TO ENTER CORRECT WEIGHT

SELECT TO ENTER CORRECT PHASE

Use the following values to set sensitivity:

• Weight in grams per IPS

• Phase correction in clock hours

If these sensitivities are known from having balanced a similar installation in the past, the user may enter them manually for a high probability of achieving a balance in two engine runs. The sections that follow explain these concepts.

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

Weight Per IPS -

The weight entry in the Weight Per IPS screen must be the same as the weight require d to cause a move line of 1.0 IPS (see the definition of move line in the “Glossary” on page 161).

Edit the weight (in grams), by using the alpha-numeric keypad, enter the most significant digit first, followed by successively less important digits.

For example, to achieve a perfect bal ance fro m 1.0 IPS, a propeller might require 47.5 g. Using the numeric keypad enter the appropriate numbers in this order,

4, 7, 5

NOTE: It is not necessary to enter the decimal.

If the user is not s ure about t he we ight s ensit ivit y, be conservative, that is, use a lower number. This action yields more conservative weight corrections for the propeller. On subsequent runs, these corrections automatically become calibrated by the Vibrex unit’s Automatic Chart Correctio n feature.

NOTE: Automatic calibration only occu rs if the user has set the Autocorrection feature to <ON>.

Phase Correction -

The difference in angle between when the event

occurs and when it is sensed by the Velocimeter. Keep the following important facts in mind when working with the Vibrex unit and phase correction:

• The Vibrex unit defaults to the 12:00 direction for phase, unless the

user has entered a different number.

• The user can accommodate most of the mounting differences from

engine to engine by using the Chadwick-Helmuth Propeller Protractor. For instructions on how to use this tool, see Section 5.4.3.2 “Using the Propeller Protractor” on page 82.

• The phase angle derived by the Vibrex unit is a combination of the

direction of sensitivity of the Velocimeter, the azimuth from the photocell system, and the phase correction.

• The farther the Velocimeter is from the rotating item, the gre ater the

likelihood becomes that a phase correction is necessary.

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Propeller Balancing

NOTE: Phase correction increases with any greater freedom of movement the structure has. If a structure is solid, the phase correction is minimal, but if a structure has freedom of movement (like sheet metal struct ures) the pha se corr ection can be qui te large, even though the distances involved are small.

Making Allowance -

To allow for these sensitivities and phase correction, use measurements derived from previous balance operations with the same type of aircraft and the same installation. Use this method, as follows:

1. At the Set Sensitiv ity screen, enter the weight sen sitivity and phase

correction from the record that resulted in the best improvement in balance.

2. With the sensitivity set, advance to the next screen by pressing the

ST ART key. The Vibrex unit scr een displays th e new sensitivit y under

its set sensitivity notation.

3. To begin engine runs, press

ST ART.

5.4.1.5 Multiple Propeller Feature

The Vibrex 2000 allows the user to switch between up to 4 propeller balance sessions. Each session is identified by the aircraft ID and Eng suffix. Use the PROPELLER BALANCE option in the Main Menu screen to access this feature.

Begin propeller balance oper ations in the same way as the user would for theVibrex 2000. See Section 5.4.1 “Propeller Balance Setup” on page 68 for details.

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

Do a Vibrex 2000 Plus multiple-propeller balance operation, as follows:

1. From the Main Menu screen, select the option. The first Balance Propeller Setup screen displays (see below).

PROPELLER BAL SETUP

PROPELLER BALANCE

AIRCRAFT ID[ ] ENG[ ]

PROP ch<1A>

SHOWS ENGINE

REAR ch<NONE>

if ok, push START

2. Use the Edit Aircraft ID screen (see below) to enter the number of the propeller (1 for engine No. 1 and so on) to be balanced, as well as the additional information required.

= EDIT AIRCRAFT ID ==

NUMBER

CURSOR LEFT [ ] ENG-[ 1 ]

CURSOR RIGHT

ENTER ENGINE

RESTORE/RESET FIELD

NUMBER

if ok, push START

3. Press START. The first Balance Propeller Setup screen displays again, showing all the information the user just entered.

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Propeller Balancing

4. Go on to the next Balance Propeller Setup screen and enter the necessary information, in the same way as the user would for the Vibrex 2000.

5. When the user is ready to begin propeller balancing, press screen displays, with a message asking the user to operate the propeller. This is the same screen and message displayed by the Vibrex 2000. See Section 5.4.2 “Acquiring Balance Readings” on page 77 for details.

6. Proceed with running the propeller and ac quiring ba lance readi ngs, in the same way as the user would for the Vibrex 2000.

7. When the user has finished balancing the current propeller, begin the operation for the next propeller, in the same way as the user did for the previous one. Make sure to enter the number of the propeller in the Enter Aircraft ID screen.

8. Finish balancing each propeller (up to four) in the same way as the user did the first.

NOTE: The user may enter numbers one through nine, but we recommend using the conventional numbering, that is, No. 1 being the farthest left engine and Nos. 2, 3, and 4 for the farthest right engine. Up to four engine balances can be run concurrently, using the Vibrex 2000 Plus.

START. A

5.4.2 Acquiring Balance Readings

Acquire balance readings and measurements, as follows:

1. Do a normal engine start and allow the engine to warm up, then

• On constant-speed propellers, cycle the propeller twice to be sure

the air is purged from the propeller hub.

• On fixed-pitch propellers, r un t he p ropeller at the maximum static

revolutions per minute (RPM).

2. Operate the propeller at the desired RPM (shown live on the Vi brex unit’s display).

3. Press

START.

The Vibrex unit collects IPS-reading and phase data/measurements. During this process, a temporary Data Collection screen displays.

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Chapter 5 - General Operation

NOTE: If, at any time, the user wants to stop collecting data, press the

GO BACK

key while the Data Collection screen displays.

Vibrex unit then displays a Measurements screen that reads out the acquired balance measurements (see below).

USE TO ENTER NOTES TO ONE’S SELF

RUN 1 PROP MEAS 08APR00 09:31:08 #1A [ANNOTATE ]

DATE, TIME, AND CHANNEL NUMBER

480 RPM

0.15 IPS @ 7:29 ID: -1

RPM (AZIMUTH), IPS (VIBRATION), AND PHASE MEASUREMENTS

REDO MEAS

solution push START

SELECT TO START THE RUN OVER AND RETAKE A MEASUREMENT

4. If one or more readings become suspect for any reason, the user may retake a reading by pressing the

REDO MEAS

action automatically erases the former reading.

CAUTION: Pressing

GO BACK

cancels (undoes or erases) the

measurement.

5. If the current reading is correct, press screen.

START to advance to the next

context key. This

NOTE: High-horsepower, coarse pitch propellers may stall at a maximum static RPM. Do not attempt a balance with the propeller stalling, because the resulting balance reading in this situation is inaccurate. A propeller is stalling if there is a noticeable change in the propeller’s sound, from what the user normally hears.

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Propeller Balancing

5.4.2.1 Annotating the Reading

If the reading is correct and the user wishes to make a special annotation, press the to one’s self, for example, that this is a before-balancing run or the last balancing run. Make any desired entry here, then press the note and to advance to the next screen.

ANNOTATE

context key. These entries may be any kind of note

START to enter

5.4.2.2 Balance Quality Indicator

The Vibrex unit offers a balance quality graph, allowing the user to read out how well the user has achieved balance on a given propeller. This graph displays on a scr ee n that contains a horizontal bar labeled BETTER on the left end of the bar and WORSE on the right.

The illustration below shows an example of the Prop Balance Quality screen.

PROP BALANCE QUALITY BETTER |==X===| WORSE

0.15-->good

BALANCE LEVEL GRAPH

BALANCE QUALITY LABEL

DONE

INSTALL PERMANENTLY

to solve, push ST AR T

An X-mark displays on a better/worse scale bar, showing the level of balance the user has achieved (see above). In addition to the bar graph, there is a text label under the graph that indicates the general balance and vibration level achieved (good in the example above).

MEASURED IMBALANCE IN IPS

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Read the Balance Quality graph, as follows:

• Anything better than or equal to acceptable means the propeller meets the balance guidelines given in The Smooth Propeller.

• The label unacceptable means the balance reading is higher tha n the recommended 0.2 IPS.

• The label warning indicates the propeller has a balance reading over 1.2 IPS. The user must investigate the reason for an IPS reading higher than 1.2 IPS before trying to balance the propeller.

The following table shows the values the Vibrex unit has assigned to the text labels in the Prop Balance Quality scree n:

Label IPS Reading

Best Less than 0.05 Very good 0.05 to 0.09 Good 0.10 to 0.14 Acceptable 0.15 to 0.19 Unacceptable 0.20 to 1.19 Warning Greater than 1.20

There are two additional context keys for use during the balance operation, as follows:

DONE

Press when the balance level is at the desired point and there is no need to make any more changes.

INSTALL PERMANENTLY

Press if the user needs to move the weight inside the spinner. Pressing this key accesses the Split Weights and Radius Change menus.

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Propeller Balancing

5.4.3 Obtaining Balance Solutions

After the balance reading displays and the user presses the START key, the Vibrex unit presents its recommended weight change solution (in grams) at a specific clock angle.

The illustration below shows an example of a typical Vibrex unit’s Solution screen.

SELECT TO VIEW

VIEW PROP MEASURMENT RUN 1 ADJUSTMENT ADD [ 5.2 ] GMS

AT [ 1:29 ] (split)

MEASUREMENTS AGAIN

SELECT TO ENTER ACTUAL WEIGHT ADDED (IN GRAMS)

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

next run, push START

SELECT FOR PROPELLER PROTRACTOR INSTRUCTIONS

SELECT TO ENTER ACTUAL ANGLE USED

5.4.3.1 Application Guidelines

In applying balance solutions, use the following guidelines:

• There may be some cases where the user cannot physically place the weight at a specified location, or the user must add balance weights different from those specified. To account for these variations, the user must input the weight and clock angle of the actual adjustment into the Vibrex unit.

• If the specified weight differs from that added to the propeller or the angle placement is different than that specified in the solution, the user must change the values. Just enter the actual applied weight and/ or angle.

CAUTION: Failure to enter the actual values used degrades the next solution and may not improve the propeller’s balance.

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• The closer the actual weight is to the specified amount and the closer to the specified location, the better the in itial and subsequent solutions normally work.

• If the user performed the original solution exactly as specified, or if the user input the actual propeller weight, the next solution will be correct for the propeller.

CAUTION: Even with the Autocorrection fe ature of f, the user must record the actual weight and installation angles used.

5.4.3.2 Using the Propeller Protractor

The illustration below shows a diagram of the Propeller Protractor.

COUNTER

CLOCKWISE

(CCW)

5 1

0 3

5 4

:30

1. USE SIDE OF PROTRACTOR WITH SAME DIRECTION OF ROTATI ON AS PROPELLER

2. ALIGN PHOTOCELL BEAM AND RETROREFLECTIVE TARGET.

3. ALIGN ARROW ON PROTRACTOR VELOCIMETER W IT H ARROW ON PROP VELOCIMETER BODY SO ARROWS ARE PARRALLEL AND IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

4. ADD WEIGHT TO ANG LE ON PROP AS SPECIFIED BY BALANC ER SOLUTION

AND ANGLE ON PROTRACTOR.

)

(

:30

1 5

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Propeller Balancing

NOTE: The blue side of the Propeller Protractor is for counterclockwise rotation, and the red side is for clockwise.

Correct Location -

applying the balance weights, use the Propeller Protractor, as follows:

1. Rotate the retro-reflective ta rget on the propeller or spinner so it is aligned with the beam of the photocell.

WARNING: Use caution when working around the propeller. Treat the propeller as though the engine could fire, and work around the propeller only if the user is certain the engine cannot fire.

Using the Propeller Pro tractor side with t he same dire ction of r otation as the propeller, hold the Propeller Protr actor agains t the ce nter o f the propeller or propeller spinner. Make sure the Velocimeter on the protractor is parallel and in the same orientation as the Velocimeter mounted on the engine.

2. Locate the clock angle from the Vibrex unit solution on the propeller.

3. Place the weight from the solution at the location derived from using the Propeller Protractor.

4. If the user places weight at a location other than that specified by the Vibrex unit, make a note of the clock angle of the weight and change the appropriate WEIGHT ENTERED solution in the Vibrex unit.

Use the Solution screen for this purpose . For information on this screen, see Section 5.4.3 “Obtaining Balance Solutions” on page 81.

To find the correct location on the propeller for

For example, the user has mounted the Velocimeter on the right side of the case but oriented it so the arrow on its body is pointing up. Then, the user must align the Propel le r Protra cto r so i ts Velocimeter is als o point ing up (12:00 direction). The arrow on the Velocimeter must be parallel and pointing in the same direction as the arrow on the Velocimeter located on the Propeller Protractor.

Helpful Hint -

beam and the retro-reflective target, place the beam of the photocell at the line of the target as it exits the photocell beam. During placement of the target on instal lation, it is ea sy to turn the propeller so the pulsating reflecting light just goes out after passing the beam of the photocell.

To be exactly accurate on the alignment of the photocell

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This point is the exact spot where alignment of the beam and the retroreflective target occurs electronically. A dry (erasable) ink mark on the spinner and a a matching mark on the cowl, where electronic alignment occurs, helps alignment of the target and beam while the user is making balance adjustments.

5.4.3.3 Changing Performed Solutions

To change a solution to match any change that was actually made (as opposed to a suggested change) use the numeric keys to change the weight and clock angle when the Solution screen displays.

For example, enter a weight change of 22.3 g by pressing the keys in that order. Enter a clock angle of 1:30 by pressing 0, 1, 3, 0 or 10:30 by pressing

Once the user has applied the correct weight to the propeller, press the

ST ART key (see below). To advance to the next run, answer Yes to the

question IMPORTANT-were these changes made?”.

1, 0, 3, 0 (in that order).

2, 2, 3

SELECT ANOTHER JOB

ID: -1

IMPORTANT! -- Were

these changes made?

35.00 gms @ 12:00

YES, begin next run NO, GO BACK to edit

5.4.4 Finishing Propeller Balance

The weights outside on the spinner are not a permanent installation. The user must move the weights to a permanent location according to the guidelines found in The Smooth Propeller Manual (Chadwick-Helmuth).

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Propeller Balancing

Continue toward a permanent weight inst allati on, for the Vibrex 2000 and V ibr ex 2000 Plus as foll ows:

1. Press the

INSTALL PERMANENTLY

context key from the propeller

balance quality screen.

2. If a radius change will occur for the installation of the permanent weight, press the

CURRENT RADIUS

context key.

NOTE: The radius is the number of inches (or any unit) from the center of rotation. An easy way to determine the radius is to measure the diameter of the spinner when it is removed and divide that number by 2.

3. Enter the trial weight radius, using the numeric keypad.

4. Press the

PERMANENT WEIGHT

context key and enter the

permanent weight radius, using the numeric keypad.

5. Press

START when both values are correct.

The resulting solu tion display s the wei ght requir ed at a si ngle balanc e point at the permanent radius.

5.4.4.1 If Unable To Use Weight Azimuth

The user may not be able to use the azimuth of the balance weight, for clearance or other reasons, or the weight may be too much for a singleweight addition point. In these cases, do the following procedures:

1. Press the context key labeled AT [XX:XX].

2. Press the

SPLIT WEIGHT

3. Enter the angle or angles available for weight addition.

CAUTION: The user must enter two weight points one on either side of the single-weight location in order for the solution to result in the same IPS reading.

context key.

The Vibrex unit calculates the required weight on each point.

NOTE: As the weight is split farther apart, the required weight becomes greater because of the lower combined arm of the weight from the center of rotation.

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4. Do a final run to verify that the user has installed the permanent weights correctly. Then press following screen:

. The Vibre x unit dis pla ys the

DONE

== BALANCE RUN 1 === AIRCRAFT ID [ ] 08APR00 12:23:33 #1A

CONTINUE BALANCE ON ENG-1

START A NEW BALANCE JOB

Use one of the following responses:

•Press

CONTINUE BALANCE ON [ENGINE]

continue balance operations in the current session.

START A NEW BALANCE JOB

current balance session and wants to begin a new one.

if the user wishes to

if the user is finished with the

5.4.5 Reviewing Balance Histories

Review balance histories and other past data, as follows:

1. Re turn to the Main Menu screen.

NOTE: Even though unless the Main Menu screen is displayed.

2. From this screen, press

REVIEW

REVIEW.

is a dedicated key, it does not work

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Propeller Balancing

The Review Menu screen displays (see the example below).

<STATUS> REVIEW

PROP RUNS 5 / 25

BAL MEAS 1 / 50

SPECTRUMS 0 / 25

99 on Vibrex Plus

Read this screen, as follows:

• The number before the slash mark (

/) for each category of

measurement represents the number of histories stored for the current run.

• The number displayed after the slash mark represents the total number of readings stored for each category of measurement.

NOTE: The user may store up to 10 propeller balance runs with their corrective actions, 25 balance readings without corrections, and 25 spectra with order analysis.

5.4.5.1 Reviewing Propeller Balance Measurements

Review propeller balance measurements, as follows:

1. From the Review Menu scr e en, press

PROP RUNS

information displays:

• Run number in the screen’s upper right corner

• Annotation in the screen’s lower right corner

• Aircraft ID in the screen’s upper left corner

• Number to the left of the colon (:) is the job number (several balance jobs may be stored separately)

NOTE: A day/date code also displays to identify the run uniquely from any other run. The day/date coding is performed automatical ly at the time the reading was taken. The channel from which the reading was taken displays immediately after the day/date code.

. The following

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2. Press the context key labeled <prop meas> to view the <rear meas> reading, if a rear measurement was taken.

3. Press the context key labeled <rear meas> to view the propeller balance adjustment.

NOTE: The RPM of the balance run displays in the lower left corner of the balance reading.

4. The user may go directly to another r un by pressing the

PREV RUN

context key.

NEXT RUN

5. The user may view the correction for the propeller by pressing the key labeled <adjustment>, displaying a screen giving this information.

5.4.5.2 Reviewing Other Balance Measurements

Review other balance measurements, as follows:

1. From the

MEASUREMENTS

Review Menu screen press the

key. The measurements display, as follows:

• The measurement number displa ys in the uppe r right corner of the

screen.

• The annotation displays in the lower right corner of the screen.

• The RPM of the balance measurement displays in the lower left

corner of the screen.

• The RPM of the balance run displays i n the lower left corner of the

balance reading.

A day/date code also displays. See Section 5.4.5.1 “Reviewing Propeller Balance Measurements” on page 87.

2. The user may go directly to another r un by pressing the

PREV RUN

context key.

3. The user may skip to any measurement stored by pressing the

MEASUREMENTS

context key and entering the run number the user

wants to view.

context

NEXT RUN

88 Chadwick-Helmuth Company, Inc.

Chadwick-Helmuth Vibrex 2000 Plus, Vibrex 2000 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual