This study investigates integrating a virtual lab for rotor balancing into mechanical vibration courses to enhance student learning. The Virtual Rotor Kit (VRK) lab allows hands-on experience in balancing techniques without physical constraints, offering immediate feedback and visualization of results. With the Rotor balancing example students will reinforce knowledge of vibration that occurs due to an external, periodic force applied to the rotor, and important concepts such as natural frequency, forcing frequency, frequency ratio, vibration amplitude, phase angle, and resonance and will learn the Influence Coefficient Method for rotor balancing. This study assesses the effectiveness of the virtual lab by evaluating the reports submitted by students for a case study on rotor balancing in two different institutions, Universidad Austral de Chile and Florida International University, and evaluating the learning outcomes and students' performance in fundamental concepts on harmonically force vibrations. Student surveys and feedback are also collected to gauge the perceived impact of the virtual lab on their learning experience. Results indicate virtual labs supplement traditional methods, providing a safe, cost-effective platform for practical learning. This research contributes to innovative engineering education approaches, emphasizing the importance of virtual labs in imparting critical skills.
