Whirling of Shaft Demonstrator

Overview

The Whirling of Shaft Demonstrator consists of a flexible shaft driven by a variable-speed electric motor, with a series of interchangeable shaft specimens of different diameters and lengths. As the shaft speed is increased through each critical speed (natural frequency), the shaft deflects into characteristic mode shapes observable as whirling patterns. Students identify first, second, and third critical speeds for different shaft configurations, verify Rankine's formula for critical speed prediction, and observe the amplitude of deflection at resonance and its suppression above critical speed. The apparatus directly demonstrates phenomena critical to the design of turbine shafts, pump shafts, and high-speed spindles.

Specifications