Lab # 3

ME3456

Page 1

INTRODUCTION
This experiment was constructed and used to analyze a rotation system
in motion for modeling purposes. The 3 tests were performed to get different
results. A Static test to find torsional stiffness Keq, a free vibration test to find
the damped natural frequency d and the damping ratio and lastly a
vibration forced by rotational imbalance to determine frequency response. The
finial test of this experiment was performed by two different groups who
shared results afterward.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
Pivot

Radius .0635 m

Radius .0127 m

Block .869 m

19.05 mm

Damper .197 m Force Input .362 m

Spring .66 m Mass .711 m

Tip .8 m

Figure 1: Sketch of main hardware with measurements (Vibrating

Beam)
Measurements were taken with a tachometer, a LVDT (Linear Variable
Displacement Transducer), and oscilloscope

Figure 2: Tachometer
Figure 3: LVDT
Figure 4: Oscilloscope
The motor and the LVDT have their own individual power sources as well

Figure 5: Power supply for Motor

PROCEDURE

Figure 6: power Supply for LVDT

Lab # 3

ME3456

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The first experiment that was performed was the static test to get the torsional
stiffness. After calibrating the LVDT and the initial set up of the instruments.
During the calibrations voltage and displacement is measured and these can be
used to calculate angular displacement. A 500 gram mass is used to calculate
the moment which is used with the angular displacement to find torsional
stiffness.
The second experiment is the free vibration test to find the damped frequency
and the damping ratio. To begin the beams end is displaced and inch and is
allowed to oscillate freely. Using the oscilloscope the change amplitude at
different cycles can be measured and used to calculate the logarithmic
decrement which in turn can be used to find the damping ratio. The
oscilloscope can be used to the measure the time of the cycles which can be
used to find the frequency then the damped natural frequency. Using the
collected data to find the undamped natural frequency. This combined with the
torsion stiffness from the first two experiments is used to find the mass moment
of inertia, then to calculate damping.
The final experiment is the vibration forced by rotational imbalance test. The
rotating device that is connected to the motor needs its disk and whole
diameter and the distance between their centers measured. The rotation device
is powered at 15 different voltages. At each point the motor speed is measured
using the tachometer and is also calculated, and the steady oscillation
amplitude is calculated using the oscilloscope. The motor frequency is found as
well as the displacement amplitude measured by the LVDT.
RESULTS
During calibration before the first experiment the change in volts was
measured to be 1.01 volts and displacement at the tip of the beam was 7 mm.
mm/Volt was then calculated
mm
7
mm
=
=6.93
(Eq .1)
v
1.01
v
The measured distance from the pivot to the tip scale is 800.1 mm this is than
divided by radians to get angular displacement .

7
=.00866 rads ( Eq .2)
800.1

This is divided by volts

.0866
rads
=
=.0858
( Eq. 3)
v 1.01
volts
During calibrations a 500 g mass (m) is applied to beam .7112 m away from the
pivot. The weight of the mass in Newtons is calculated with acceleration of
gravity 9.81 m/s2 (g)
F=ma=.59.81=4.905 N ( Eq . 4 )
This is multiplied by the distance to the pivot to get the moment (M)

Lab # 3

ME3456

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M =Fdistance=4.905 N.7112 m=3.488 Nm( Eq. 5)

Moment divided by angle change is Keq torsional stiffness
M 3.488
Nm
K eq = =
=403.75
(Eq .6)
.0866
rads
During the second experiment the amplitude is measured after a 50%
reduction and the number of cycles in between counted.
Table 1: Measurements from free vibration test part 1
Amplitudes at peak
Number of cycles
1.64
1
.86
5
Using this data the log decrement can be found with this equation where
N is the change in cycles and 1 N +1 are the amplitudes

=.16134( Eq. 7)
( N1 ) ln ( )= 511 ln ( 1.64
.86 )

N +1

Now the damping ratio can be found with this equation

.16124
=
=
=.02565(Eq . 8)
2
2
4 + 4 2+ .161242
The estimation of the damping frequency is found measuring time for a # of
cycles
Table 2: Measurements from free vibration test part 2
Time(sec)
Cycles
1.8
11
Frequency (f) can be found by this equation
cycles 11
f=
=
=6.11 Hz(Eq .9)
time 1.8
The damped frequency is found through this equation
d=2 f =2 6.11=38.397 rads (Eq .10)
The natural frequency

w n=

wd

n with this equation

38.397
=38.4 rads( Eq. 11)
1.025652

Now there is enoph information to find C

Type equation here .
DISCUSSION
What went wrong? What errors did you encounter? Did you get any unexpected
results? Did you run out of time or have any equipment failure? What steps did
you take to rectify the situation? What troubleshooting was necessary to make
the experiment work?