Seeing as how this may???? end up into an argument, Ill try to short circuit this now. Here are a few excellent links to explain what I have said. This guy keeps things simple, knows what he is talking about, and heaps of maths is not appropriate here anyway.
http://modelenginenews.org/etw/etw_bal/p3.htmlYou will find the triple reference part way down.
The triple balance issues can be explained mathematically fairly easily using vector diagrams similar to what is used in the electrical trades. To those interested, work your way through this lot.
http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=hpmA ... ry&f=falseHeres how I balance a Titan crank. Yes, I have done this often, and yes, I do have the machine.
Measure the weight of each connecting rod big end and the big end bearing, the small end supported on a hook.Measure the complete weight of each connecting rod small end and the total weight of the piston and rings, piston pin, small end bearing and clips ... ie reciprocating mass, and multiply by your desired balance factor.... this is a variable determined by rpm and other factors, but generally works out at around 50 percent. Add the total weight of reciprocating mass to the balance factor, and select the required bob weight to balance the crankshaft to that figure. Temporarily assemble the crankshaft and place the trued crankshaft ends or shafts on parallel knife edged surface, hang the selected bob weights off the crankshaft pin and make sure the crank will remain set in any position. Once the crankshaft has been balanced, take it apart and install the big end bearings etc , and press the crankshaft together and true the crankshaft. This is static balance.
To dynamically balance, do this.... yes, I do this sometimes too.
For Titan cranks, I have 2 rubber mounted vee blocks to accept the crank end bearings, this is spun up with a small variable speed sewing machine motor. Each conrod is held in a cantilever arrangment , rare earth magnets hold bob weights to each end of the cantilever that count for the missing pistons, rings and gudgeons. Weight is added/subtracted to each crank, opposite the crankpins to remove the rocking (for and aft) moment as much as possible. This balances the crank in two planes, but, like all engines, it will only be be accurate only at one range of RPMs, as reciprocating mass increases faster with revs than the centripedal to counteract it, and it is not the simple sine function as with simple crank rotation. Thats why boxers truly cancel reciprocating with reciprocating... and inlines to a point, With a triple, this does not happen.
OK, thats me done with this.