The Virtual Rotor Kit Project: A virtual rotor test rig for balancing experiments

The “Virtual Rotor Kit (VRK) Project” is a lightweight and standalone application developed in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak in the field of rotating machinery dynamics. This alternative emulates a rotor test rig, enabling virtual balancing tests on a single-plane rotor and offering students a comprehensive learning experience that simulates on-site balancing. The Virtual Rotor Kit utilizes a three-dimensional model based on a well-known rotor test rig widely used in educational and research settings. To simulate the dynamics of the rotor test rig, the application employs PyChrono, a dedicated Python library that wraps Chrono, a validated open-source multi-physics simulation engine. A detailed usability assessment involving 41 senior mechanical engineering students yielded promising results, indicating the Virtual Rotor Kit’s potential to enhance comprehension of vibration phenomena in unbalanced rotating machines. Despite revealing certain issues related to the graphical user interface and the application's execution time, three defined achievement indicators demonstrated positive outcomes for a virtual balancing laboratory experience using the Virtual Rotor Kit application. By focusing on the dynamic behavior of a rotor test rig instead of simulating a specific laboratory experience, the application offers instructors greater flexibility in developing learning experiences. Unlike other virtual testbeds, the Virtual Rotor Kit allows students to conduct both steady-state and transient experiments, offering a comprehensive understanding of rotating machinery dynamics. Additionally, the application is distributed under the BSD-3 license and can serve as a complement to on-site laboratory experiences. The results presented in this study inspire further research and development to enhance its efficacy.