Re: [TCML] Rotary Gap Balancing

[Quarkster <quarkster@xxxxxxx>]

Christopher -
 
Sorry, pretty much a failed hope. In most home-made RSG disks, the greatest source of imbalance in dues to slight mismatch in the radial positions of the electrodes, and differences in the mass of the electrode assemblies.
 
The easiest and most accurate approach is probably to disassemble the motor, secure the RSG disk to the rotor shaft, and balance the RSG disk and the motor rotor as an assembly. The RSG disk must be keyed to the motor shaft, or marked so the angular relationship between motor shaft and RSG can be preserved after reassembly. 
 
Actually, supporting the assembly on parallel knife edges is a simple and effective method of balancing. Cheap knife edges can be made by using thin stainless-steel rulers from a graphic-arts supplier. These are very thin stainless steel, usually with a cork composition backing. Simply attach two small "C" clamps to each ruler to hold them upright, and adjust the clamp positions to get the top edges of the rulers parallel and at the same height. Use plywood spacers under the rulers to get enought height to provide clearance for the RSG disk above the worksurface.
 
Make sure that the rotor shaft is absolutely clean, place the rotor on the knife edges, and give it a little nudge. If it is grossly out of balance, it will immediately rotate until the heavy part is lowest. When it comes to a stop, mark the lowest point with a felt pen, and remove a little material from the edge of the RSG disk with a file. Alternately, to get some idea of the amount of material that must be removed, add a small piece of modeling clay to the top of the rotor, and nudge it again. If you've added too much material, the "lump" will now rotate and be at the bottom. Remove part of the lump, and try again. When the rotor assembly stops at random locations, it is balanced (at least statically). Remove the lump of clay, and remove a similar volume of material from the OPPOSITE location on the periphery of the disk.
 
Go slowly, and check balance frequently.
 
Its an iterative process, and takes some time, but can give very good results.
 
Regards,
Herr Zapp

--- On Wed, 12/3/08, Christopher Karr <chriskarr4@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Christopher Karr <chriskarr4@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [TCML] Rotary Gap Balancing
To: "Tesla Pupman List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 2:34 PM

Hello, I was wondering if there was any good method of balancing a rotary spark
gap disk. I don't know of any extremely simple methods, but I was thinking
of taking an electric sander, while it's rotating at high speed, and sanding
down the imperfections in the wheel from the side. This would allow it to
balance the wheel by mainly sanding down the imperfections, due to vibrations.
 
Am I right in guessing this, or is this just a failed hope?
 
         - Christopher
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