Laser method, where high energies of monochromatic light can be precisely collimated to perform welding and machining processes, is proposed for rotary dynamic balancing. The unbalance, as detected with the velocity pickup, would trigger the laser system which would emit high energy pulses directed at the heavy side of the component

Perkins, W. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

November 1967	 Brief 67-10452 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Proposed Method of Rotary Dynamic Balancing by Laser 
Component to be

Balanced 
The most common present method of rotary dy-
namic balancing is to place pieces of adhesive 
tape, numbered consecutively, around the periphery 
of a component. The component is then cradled in 
a suspended floating carriage and rotated at some 
convenient speed. The carriage is coupled to a velocity 
pickup which produces a voltage output as a result 
of an unbalance. This output is used to trigger a strobe 
lamp focused on the numbered tape. The number 
occurring in coincidence with the strobe rate is an 
indication of the component's heavy side. By adding 
wax pellets directly opposite this point, balance can 
be obtained. The component is then removed from the 
balance machine and material is removed equivalent 
to the weight of the wax pellet. This method may 
require rechecking the balance and removal of mate-
rial several times before desired balance is obtained.
The state of the art and application of the laser 
has developed to a point where high energies of 
monochromatic light can be precisely collimated to 
perform welding and machining processes. It is pro-
posed that the present balancing machines and 
method of detecting unbalance be utilized more ef-
ficiently by replacing the strobe lamp with a laser 
head. The unbalance, as detected with the velocity 
pickup, would trigger the laser system which would 
emit high energy pulses directed at the component's 
heavy side. (The component is retained in place, 
eliminating the need to remove the component from 
the suspended floating carriage for mechanical re-
moval of excess material.) The voltage amplitude from 
the velocity pickup could control the amount of en-
ergy emitted from the laser, and be used to control the 
trigger phase shifting to achieve ultimate balancing. 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19670000452 2020-03-11T21:13:04+00:00Z
Note: 
This development is in conceptual stage only, and 
as of date of publication of this Tech Brief, neither 
a model nor prototype has been constructed. 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commer-
cial use of this invention may be made to NASA, 
Code GP, Washington, D. C. 20546. 
Source: W. E. Perkins

of North American Aviation, Inc.

under contract to

Marshall Space Flight Center 
(M FS- 12422) 
Brief 67-10452	 Category 02


Proposed method of rotary dynamic balancing by laser

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