Measurement eZ-Balance User Manual

eZ-Balance

1086-0925 rev 9.0

IOtech

25971 Cannon Road

Cleveland, OH 44146-1833

[phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

www.iotech.com

*372162B-01*

372162B-01

© 2001 through 2008 by IOtech

eZ-Balance

Balancing Software for Rotating Machinery

USER’S MANUAL

ii

Table of Contents

1 – Installing and Running the Application

What is eZ-Balance …… 1-1
Installing and Starting the Application …… 1-1
Running eZ-Balance …… 1-2
Overview of the Balance Job …… 1-3
Connecting the Data Acquisition Device …… 1-4

2 - A Balancing Project

3 – Windows, Buttons, and Menus

The Main Window …… 3-1
Window Selection Buttons …… 3-2
Control Buttons and Operation Selection Cells …… 3-3
Display Task Bar …… 3-4
Vibration Data Display (Data Display) …… 3-4
Balance Weights Window …… 3- 5
File Menu …… 3-6
Edit Menu ….. 3-6
Control Menu …… 3-12
Operations Menu …… 3-12
Report Menu …… 3-13
Window Menu …… 3-14

4- Balance Toolkit

Trial Weight …… 4-1
Split Weights …… 4-2
Resolving Weights …… 4-3
Chord-Angle-Arc …… 4-3
Runout Compensation …… 4-4
Unbalance Tolerance …… 4-5
Stock Weights …… 4-6
Drill Bit Weights …… 4-7
Arc Weight …… 4-8

ZonicBook 987091 eZ-Balance, pg. iii

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987091 eZ-Balance

Installing and Running the Application 1

Reference Note:
If necessary, refer to your specific hardware’s user manual for information regarding:
Software Installation, System Requirements, Hardware Setup, and Driver Installation.

What is eZ-Balance? …… 1-1
Installing and Starting the Application ….. 1-1
Running eZ-Balance …… 1-2
Overview of the Balance Job …… 1-3
Connecting the Data Acquisition Device …… 1-4

What is eZ-Balance?

eZ-Balance is a multi-plane balance software package, that will compute the optimal balance weights and
weight locations based on vibration data. This data can be collected by ZonicBook/618E, WaveBook/516
Series, and IOtech 600 Series data acquisition devices, or entered manually using the keyboard. AWBK18
or WBK14 module is required when using a Wavebook/516 series device.

You can configure eZ-Balance to have from 1 to 7 balance planes. The setup includes 1 tach input channel
and from 1 to 7 response channels. Accelerometer, Velocity, and Displacement probes are examples of
Response Channels.

You can interactively review the vibration data and balance results in graphical format. A balance toolkit is
provided for typical balance calculations, such as splitting weights.

Installing and Starting the Application

System Requirements

Verify that your computer system meets or exceeds the following minimum requirements.

For Ethernet devices - 10/100BaseT Ethernet port [on PC or on a hub connected to the Ethernet]
Monitor: SVGA, 1024 x 768 screen resolution
Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP users:

PC with Intel™ Pentium, 1 GHz or equivalent;
512 MB memory; 10 GB disk space

Windows Vista users:

PC must be Windows Vista Premium Ready

Verify that you have:

Dynamic Signal Analysis (DSA) CD
License Key (authorization code) for eZ-Balance
Data acquisition hardware; e.g., acquisition device, sensors, cables, power supply
User documentation: available in pdf format on CD and on-line at: www.iotech.com/manuals.html

eZ-Balance 978691 Installing and Running the Application 1-1

Software Installation

Reference Notes:
As a part of product support, when installing the application from the CD, PDF versions
of documents [pertaining to hardware and software] are automatically installed onto your
PC’s hard-drive. The default location is the Programs group, which can be accessed via
the Windows Desktop Start Menu. The PDF documents are also available in the Tech
Support section of our website.

1. Start Windows.

2. Close all running applications.

3. Insert the Dynamic Signal Analysis CD into your CD-ROM drive and wait for the CD to

auto-run.

Note: As an alternative to using the CD, you can download the application from our website.
If using the website, follow the download instructions there: www.iotech.com/ftp.html

If the CD does not start on its own:

(a) click the desktop’s <Start> button
(b) choose the Run command
(c) select the CD-ROM drive, then select the setup.exe file.
(d) click <OK>

An Opening Screen will appear

4. Click the <ENTER SETUP> button.

5. From the hardware selection screen [which follows a licensing agreement], select the type of

data acquisition device you are using from the drop-down list.

6. Continue to follow the on-screen instructions.

Running eZ-Balance

To run eZ-Balance double-click the associated icon or use your Windows desktop Start button to navigate
to the program. The application is located in the Programs group by default.

The first time you start the application you will be prompted for your name, your company name, and the
license key (authorization code) that will activate eZ-Balance for every day operations.

The authorization code accompanies the CD. However, if you downloaded your software from the website,
your code will be e-mailed to you within one business day.

Note: If an error should occur, which results in eZ-Balance not booting up, delete the

EZBal.ini file [located in the executable’s directory]. The .ini file identifies the last

Job opened. You can delete this file without affecting your data. After deleting the
file you should be able to open the last balancing job.

1-2 Installing and Running the Application 978691 eZ-Balance

Overview of the Balance Job

Each balance “job” in eZ-Balance is unique. For example, if you have 2 motor driven fans, 201 and 202,
you have 2 separate eZ-Balance Jobs, one for each machine. Each has its own set of configuration and
data files that can be stored and later retrieved. When you create a new eZ-Balance job the current
configuration is copied to the new job.

After you have configured your eZ-Balance job you are ready to begin the Balancing Process. You need to
collect vibration data at several machine conditions (runs). These runs include the initial “as found” run,
the trial run(s), and the optional trim run. The initial run is the machine’s condition prior to any balance
efforts. The trial run(s) measure the vibration effect of adding trial weights to each balance plane. The
number of trial runs equals the number of balance planes. Lastly, the optional trim run can be used to
measure the effect of the trial solution.

Vibration data is the vibration amplitude and phase measured at the machine’s running speed (frequency).

These values are commonly referred to as the first order amplitude and phase. Enter the trial weight and
location values prior to each trial run.

The vibration data can be either:

Automatically measured using the acquisition device, or
Entered manually using the keyboard.

The Balance Operations selection grid identifies where you are in the balance process via a green highlight
for the associated cell; for example “3 Trial Solution” as in the figure. After the trial runs have been
completed a trial balance solution can be determined. After the trim run is performed, you can obtain the
trim balance solution. Chapter 2 contains detailed information.

Balance Operations

Selection Grid

eZ-Balance 978691 Installing and Running the Application 1-3

Connecting the Data Acquisition Device

Sensor Type

Single-Ended (SE)
or Differential

Coupling

ICP

Proximity

SE

DC*

OFF

Accelerometer/Velocity

SE

AC

ON or OFF

Depending on the instrument

Tach

SE

AC

OFF

Refer to your hardware documentation in regard to connecting hardware and signal lines; and in regard to
product specifications.

Hardware documents, in PDF format, can be obtained from the following locations:

Directly from the installation CD (select “Manuals” from the CD’s splash screen)
From the online Tech Support section at www.iotech.com
From the Programs group on your CD, providing that you installed your software from a CD

Note that ZonicBook/618E, WaveBook/516 Series, and IOtech 600 Series devices are configured entirely
via software.

In regard to connecting sensors, the following table may prove useful as a general guide.

*Typically, Proximity and DC proportional signals should be DC coupled.

At this point you should be ready to look at the steps required for a balancing project. These are presented
in the next chapter.

1-4 Installing and Running the Application 978691 eZ-Balance

A Balancing Project 2

1. Start eZ-Balance …… 2-1

2. Create a New Job …… 2-4

3. Modify the Device Setup for On-line Balancing …… 2-5

Setup Acquisition Tab …… 2-5
Setup Channels Tab …… 2-6

4. Perform Balancing Operations …… 2-11

Initial Balance Run …… 2-5
Add Trial Weight …… 2-8
Trial Balance Run …… 2-9
Calculate Trial Solution …… 2-10
Trim Balance Run …… 2-11
Calculate the Trim Solution …… 2-11

Notes

o Use a standard channel location convention for your Tach and Response channels.

Typically: Tach is channel 1 and Response channels are 2 and above.

o If you aren’t getting a Tach Trigger, verify the Tach channel’s FSV, Trigger Level Percentage, and

Direction.

o If an error should occur, which results in eZ-Balance not booting up, delete the EZBal.ini file

[located in the executable’s directory]. The .ini file identifies the last Job opened. You can delete
this file without affecting your data. After deleting the file you should be able to open the last
balancing job.

1. Start eZ-Balance

To run eZ-Balance, double-click the eZ-Balance icon or use your Windows desktop Start button to navigate
to the program file [or to wherever you installed the program].

The first time you run eZ-Balance, the Registration Form will open (following figure). You must complete
the registration form in order for eZ-Balance to operate.

The license number accompanies the CD-ROM, or can be provided via e-mail if you downloaded
eZ-Balance from the Web Site. You will not have to re-enter this information again, unless you upgrade to
a newer version, or if you reinstall eZ-Balance.

Should you need to access the form, for example if you received a license for an upgrade, it can be
accessed through the Help pull-down menu. From the available selections, pick “About eZ-Balance...;”
then click the <Update License> button. A screen similar to the following will appear.

License Registration Form

eZ-Balance 987091 A Balancing Project 2-1

After you complete the form and click <OK>, the eZ-Balance Main window will open. The main window

TIP: We recommend you store all jobs in a separate “Jobs” folder. This allows for
easier file maintenance.

Polar Display

Data Display

Time Display

Spectra Display

provides access to several other windows that you will use interactively throughout the balancing project.

Main Window with its four Displays

2. Create a New Job

2-4 A Balancing Project 987091 eZ-Balance

1. From the File pull-down menu, select “New eZ-Balance File.” This opens the Save As dialog

window.

2. Select or create a folder for your eZ-Balance Project.

3. Enter the name for the eZ-Balance Project.

4. Click the <Save> button to create the new project.

You cannot access the Balance Configuration window while Data Acquisition is active.
The control switch must be set to “OFF.”

The number of balance planes can be equal to or less than the number of response
inputs.

3. Modify the Device Setup for On-line Balancing

After you create a new eZ-Balance job, you need to verify that the default setup is valid for your job.
To modify the Acquisition and Input Channels parameters:

a. With the acquisition turned OFF, open the Edit pull-down menu.
b. Select “Configuration.”
c. From the Acquisition Tab’s Hardware pull-down list, select the applicable data acquisition

hardware.

Setup Acquisition Tab

Use this panel to select the applicable data acquisition hardware and configure the acquisition parameters
for the eZ-Balance Job. If you make any changes, be sure to click the <Okay> or <Apply> button.

Balance Configuration, Acquisition Tab

eZ-Balance 987091 A Balancing Project 2-5

Input Channels Tab

Balance Operations Flowchart

Selecting (0) Initial Balance Run

The number of balance steps depends on the number of balance planes. There will be a
trial run for every balance plane.

Use this panel to configure each channel for your balance job. Select a channel then set the values for each
attribute. Repeat for each channel.

Balance Configuration, Input Channels Tab

4. Perform Balancing Operations

Balance Data can be acquired with the acquisition device on-line, or it can be entered manually (off-line).
Use the Balance Operations flowchart to sequentially select the balance project’s steps. The number of

Balance Steps depends on the number of Balance Planes. There will be a Trial Run for every Balance
Plane.

2-6 A Balancing Project 987091 eZ-Balance