AXILINEPrices: vibration diagnostics and balancing, priced separately
The price of a visit is made up of two clear parts. Vibration diagnostics with a finding and a report is billed for every machine, always. Balancing is added only once the measurement has confirmed it's possible and needed. That way you know upfront what you're paying for, even if the rotor turns out to be faulty.
What makes up the price
Every visit starts with a measurement and an analysis. That's why we've split the price into two parts: diagnostics is billed always, balancing only when it's actually carried out.
Vibration diagnostics with a report — 300 EUR per machine
Vibration measurement on the bearing housings, spectrum and phase analysis, a finding on the cause, and a written report. Billed for every machine regardless of whether it ends up being balanced.
Balancing — from 250 EUR by rotor size
Trial runs, calculating and fitting the correction weights, and a check measurement with before-and-after figures. In one or two planes, as the rotor requires, with no extra charge for the second plane.
If the measurement shows that balancing is impossible or pointless (damaged bearings, cracks, shaft misalignment, resonance), you pay only the 300 EUR for diagnostics plus travel, and you know the cause and what needs repairing. That's more honest than charging full price for work that won't produce a result.
Packages by rotor size
The size is set by the drive power or the rotor mass, whichever is greater. The table shows both components and the total per machine.
| Package | Rotor | Diagnostics | Balancing | Total per machine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | up to 15 kW or up to 50 kg | 300 EUR | +250 EUR | 550 EUR |
| M | 15–75 kW or 50–500 kg | 300 EUR | +450 EUR | 750 EUR |
| L | 75–300 kW or 0.5–2 t | 300 EUR | +700 EUR | 1000 EUR |
| XL | over 2 t or high running speed | 300 EUR | from +1200 EUR | from 1500 EUR |
Balancing in one or two planes is already included in the package: the number of planes is dictated by the rotor's design, not chosen by the client, so we've taken that option out of the calculation.
Fitting work: three options
The correction weights need to be fixed to the rotor. Who does that affects the price of the visit.
Done by your staff — included
We mark where and what weight to fit, and your fitter or welder attaches it under our supervision. Usually the fastest option: your people know their own machine.
AXILINE, without welding — +150 EUR per rotor
We fit the weights ourselves: bolted connections, the rotor's own positions, or drilling. Suits situations where there's no fitter free on site.
AXILINE, with welding — +400 EUR per rotor
Welding weights on is a demanding operation: it needs a second specialist welder, their equipment, and weld inspection. That's why the welding option costs more.
Whichever option you choose, the client needs to provide someone responsible for work safety and for starting and stopping the machine — more on this in the 'Conditions for carrying out the work' section below.
Surcharges for higher precision
Most machines are balanced to grade G6.3, which is included in the price. A tighter tolerance is needed for high-speed rotors and spindles.
- Grade G2.5 — +175 EUR per rotor.
- Grade G1.0 — +350 EUR per rotor.
- The report isn't billed separately: the finding and the written report are included in the diagnostics.
Travel and logistics
Our base is Vila Nova de Gaia (Porto). The first 20 km one way are included in the price. Beyond that, it's 0.60 EUR per kilometre, calculated round trip. For work spanning more than one day, a per diem of 140 EUR/day is added. Parking, tolls and special permits are billed at cost.
Discounts for several machines in one visit
The first machine is charged in full. Each following machine on the same visit costs less:
- 2–9 machines — 20% off each additional machine.
- 10 or more — 30% off each additional machine.
The discount applies to the 'diagnostics + balancing' total for the additional machine.
Worked example
A 30 kW fan (package M), 50 km from the base, with your fitter attaching the weights: diagnostics 300 + balancing 450 + travel 36 (30 km beyond the included distance, round trip at 0.60) = 786 EUR + VAT.
The same visit, but the bearings turn out to be damaged and balancing isn't possible: diagnostics 300 + travel 36 = 336 EUR, so the invoice is raised at the visit's minimum amount of 500 EUR. You get a report with the cause and a list of what needs repairing.
Conditions for carrying out the work
For the visit to be completed in a single trip and with a result, the client needs to provide a few things — and they matter. Here's what should be ready before we arrive.
The machine is mechanically sound
Balancing is only carried out on machines that are mechanically sound and properly mounted in place: bearings in working order, frame free of cracks, fasteners tight. If we find a fault during inspection, repair comes first. In that case we carry out vibration diagnostics, find the cause and write up a report — and charge only for the diagnostics and travel, not for balancing.
The rotor is cleaned of build-up
Caked-on dust, dirt and product are themselves part of the unbalance: they build up today and flake off tomorrow. The rotor needs cleaning before balancing — otherwise the result won't hold, and the money will be wasted. If cleaning isn't possible on site, we'll say so honestly before starting work.
Someone responsible for starting and stopping
Balancing requires 3–6 runs of the machine. The client needs to provide someone who knows the equipment, controls the starting and stopping, and is responsible for work safety and permits. Our specialists don't operate your equipment themselves — that's a safety rule.
220 V, 50 Hz power supply
An ordinary 220 V outlet is needed near the machine to power the measuring instrument and the laptop. An extension cable works too, as long as the power stays stable for the duration of the measurements.
Access to the machine
Access is needed to the bearing housings for mounting the sensors, a spot for the reflective marker on the shaft, and access to the rotor for fitting the weights — an open hatch, a removed cover, or an opening in the guard. If access requires disassembly, we'll agree on that in advance.
Not sure the machine is ready?
Send us photos of the machine and its nameplate, and a short video of it running, on WhatsApp — before the visit, we'll tell you what to prepare, whether on-site balancing is possible, and what it will cost. This is free.
Financial terms
- Minimum invoice per visit: 500 EUR.
- Minimum time on site: 4 hours.
- Prepayment of 50%, with the balance due after the check measurement.
- All prices are shown + VAT.
- An exact quote follows once we have photos of the rotor and its supports, and data on running speed and location; the calculator on the homepage gives a preliminary estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Why is diagnostics billed separately?
Because it's always carried out and has value on its own: you get the cause of the vibration and a written report, even if balancing turns out to be impossible. That way you never pay for work that can't be done.
What will I pay if balancing isn't possible — for example, if the bearings are damaged?
Only the vibration diagnostics at 300 EUR per machine, plus travel, subject to the minimum invoice per visit of 500 EUR. The report will show the cause of the vibration and what needs repairing before balancing.
Why is the welding option noticeably more expensive than the fitting-only one?
Welding a weight onto the rotor is a demanding operation: a second specialist welder comes out with their own equipment, and the weld is inspected. Hence +400 EUR per rotor, against +150 EUR per rotor for the option without welding.
Does two-plane balancing cost more?
No. The number of planes is determined by the rotor's design, not by the client's preference, so one plane and two planes cost the same — it's included in the package.
Are prices with or + VAT?
All prices on this site are shown + VAT. VAT is added to the invoice at the applicable rate.
Related content
On-site rotor balancing, in the machine's own bearing housings
On-site balancing means the rotor stays in the machine. We fit two accelerometers (vibration sensors) on the bearing housings, aim a laser phase sensor at a reflective marker, take the initial vibration reading, run one or two trials with a weight of known mass, calculate the correction mass and angle, fit the weights and measure again. You get a report with the figures before and after. A typical visit takes a working day; vibration diagnostics with a report costs 300 EUR per unit, balancing adds from 250 EUR, and the minimum invoice per visit is 500 EUR.
Balancing and vibration diagnostics services: where to start in your case
We do four things. We balance rotors right on site, in their own bearing housings, without removal. We run vibration diagnostics when the cause of raised vibration isn't obvious. We measure and analyse vibration for acceptance after repairs and for condition monitoring. We supply Balanset-1A instruments to those who want to balance in-house, with consultation support while they learn the ropes. If you already know you have unbalance, start with balancing. If you don't know the cause, start with diagnostics: it costs less than three wasted trial runs and a second visit.
Rotor balancing in Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia: based close by, serving the whole country
Yes — Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia are our home region, we work across the whole north of Portugal, and by arranging the schedule we travel to any point in the country. The first 20 km of travel from our base are included in the price, and beyond that it's 0.60 EUR per kilometre, round trip. The minimum invoice per visit is 500 EUR, the minimum time on site is 4 hours, payment is 50% in advance, and all prices are + VAT. We work out the exact amount for your address by route and send it before the visit, so there are no surprises on site. Send us the machine type, running speed, power or rotor mass, and a couple of photos of the unit on WhatsApp +351 931 831 229, and we'll tell you whether balancing will actually help here.
Describe your equipment and the problem
We'll answer your questions, clarify the details, and let you know what's needed for an estimate and a visit.