Device and software for educational simulation and design of dynamic dampers

Free moving masses and cyclic free forces cause vibration problems in machine systems. The simplest way to reduce such vibrations is the minimization of freely moving masses and forces. In many cases this is not however possible. The addition of a dynamic damper to a machine system is a method to decrease vibrations in a critical component, and to transfer it to a passive mass. Design of such system must be done deliberately, since vibration response depends in a complex way of the geometry, stiffness and mass distribution of machine system. The paper describes a demonstration device with rotating free masses and a theory of small program for analysing the vibration characteristics of planar multi body spring mass system which can be used for engine vibration measurement test bench or for educational purpose.