BALANCEPOINT FAQS

1. What is BalancePoint 7.0?

BalancePoint offers automatic, semi-automatic, or manual weighing as part of a balancing program that quickly determines the optimum rotor location for every blade in the set.

In gas turbine and jet engine applications using non-integral compressor and turbine blades, the weight tolerance of the individual blades can significantly affect the balance of the assembled rotor. Even if the weight differential is small, if random assembly places more of the heavier blades on one side of the rotor, the resulting unbalance condition may be more than can be corrected by additional balance weights or corrective machining processes. This means time-consuming and expensive disassembly of the rotor. Since its introduction in January 2002, Turbine Metrology's BalancePoint software has become an industry standard for simple, fast, accurate, and affordable blade weighing and optimized placement.

2. Why is BalancePoint more accurate than other blade placement software?

BalancePoint uses Turbine Metrology's “Dimensional Tunneling Technology” to rapidly point the balancing algorithm toward a solution. This technology allows many millions more possible blade positions to be considered in the same amount of time as compared to conventional algorithms, leading to better, faster, solutions.

3. Will BalancePoint work with my existing electronic scale?

BalancePoint can interface directly to any scale with an RS-232 or USB output . This allows blade weight data to be recorded quickly and efficiently without the possibility of pen-and-pencil errors. Data can be printed directly to logbook sheets with the User's logo. The User can observe the blade distribution pattern from a Polar Plot and copy the Results output to an Excel spreadsheet. All results are saved for future reference. BalancePoint can be fitted to Turbine Metrology's moment weight scales, as well as those from Schenck and Hofmann.

4. Can BalancePoint accommodate special blade types?

BalancePoint can accommodate locking blades, cutter tooth blades, pairs, or any other special blade type defined by the User. The software can also be used to predict optimized placement of blade accessories such as cover plates and other locking elements.

5. Can BalancePoint compensate for initial rotor unbalance?

BalancePoint can arrange blades to compensate for initial rotor unbalance, if available. This capability eliminates the installation of balance weights or machining processes prior to blade installation.

6. Can BalancePoint accommodate blade pairs?

For jet engines like the Pratt & Whitney JT9 in which fan blades are paired, BalancePoint can work with either pre-paired blades or determine optimum pairs before arranging the blades.

7. What operating system does BalancePoint use?

BalancePoint runs on Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/Vista operating systems with minimum hardware requirements.

AT A GLANCE

BalancePoint accommodates an unlimited number of blades.

Advanced algorithms provide optimum placement of blades on rotor.

Works with pan-weight or moment-weight inputs in manual or automatic mode.

Accommodates an unlimited number of Customer definable special blades or slot types.

Accommodates initial imbalance of bare rotor, if available.

Tracks serial number and any other special information for each blade.

Comprehensive printed report ordered by blade number or slot number.

Mass distribution plot gives visual representation of balance.

Data can be imported or exported to MS Excel.

Optional direct reading from scales with RS-232 or USB interface.

Can be customized for specific requirements.

BalancePoint customers include:

AeroWin Tech (Taiwan)

Air India

Alcoa Howmet Turbines

Allied Dynamics

American Airlines

Andritz - Durametal

The Balancing Company

Calpine

Elliott Turbo

The General Electric Company

(Launch customer)

MK Airlines (UK)

Lappeenrannan Energia OY (Finland)

Leading Edge Turbines

Revak Turbomachinery

Rolls- Royce Engine Services

Standard Aero

Temisa International (Argentina)

Thomassen Turbine Systems, (Netherlands)

TransAero Airlines (Russia)

Quality Aviation

Quesco Turbo Machinery

Wood Group (USA and Thailand)

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