Once unbalance is determined, the original unbalance run (amplitude and phase) is measured, and a trial weight size is determined, the next step is where to place the trial weight. If you have no balancing record for this rotor, where to place the weight is little more than a guess. But there are some things…
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In our last Balancing How To, we discussed how to set up and get your original measurements on the rotor to be balanced. This How To discusses selecting a proper trial weight. A trial weight is used to make a change in the original vibration amount and direction. Changing either the AMOUNT of vibration (amplitude),…
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The recent blog on troubleshooting balancing ( https://acoem.us/other-topics/smc-touch-tip-using-the-smc-when-unbalance-is-diagnosed/ ) brought up some additional questions from our readers, so let’s tackle them in order. The first one is setting up to perform a balance job. NECESSARY EQUIPMENT FOR BALANCING If you have gone through the checklist and confirmed unbalance, you will need: A machine to perform…
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The Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker (SMC) is a great balancing tool (for me personally, it’s the best balancer I’ve ever used). Unbalance is one of the most common machinery problems on rotating equipment, especially fans. If you get a diagnosis of unbalance, be aware of these tips: Be mindful that a rotating mass, once balanced,…
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We recently published a blog about using the Fixturlaser SMC as a lubrication tool. https://acoem.us/other-topics/using-the-smart-machine-checker-as-a-lubrication-tool/ Ironically, just a couple of weeks later I received some photos from a new SMC customer. He got a report from his SMC stating that a chilled water pump was experiencing motor unbalance. He took the motor apart to inspect…
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The Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker (SMC) is a great mechanic’s tool, for evaluating the overall health of rotating machinery. But did you know it’s also a lubrication tool for greasing bearings? Let me explain. One of the vibration measurements in the SMC is called Bearing Defect Factor. The Bearing Defect Factor is a measurement of…
Read MoreWhen a machine is checked, and found to be out of alignment, the “as found” alignment data can be saved. Soft foot checks and corrections can also be saved. Continue with the alignment, and when in tolerance save the “as left” alignment. Exit to the Main Menu of the NXA, then press the File Cabinet…
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Alan Garbers with Johnson Controls International contacted me regarding an alignment problem, and asked for my advice. Here is a condensed version of his email. A client rents portable chillers, and related equipment. They built a 125HP portable pump skid with a Bell & Gossett pump on a VFD. I was there to commission the…
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It is both possible, and desirable, to minimize the negative effects of soft foot. While it may be difficult to completely get rid of soft foot, it can typically be reduced to a few mils, if the following techniques are used. PREPARATION AND CLEANLINESS CLEAN! If you remove the motor, wipe the feet clean, before…
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Most industrial maintenance mechanics who are involved with precision shaft alignment are familiar with the phenomenon of soft foot. From an alignment standpoint, soft foot causes: Changes in alignment values, between when the hold down bolts are loose, and when they are tight. Non-repeatability in alignment measurements, especially if the bolts are not tightened in…
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Most laser alignment tools include a soft foot function. However, in truth these tools haven’t measured ACTUAL soft foot, instead they have measured the EFFECT of soft foot at the shaft or coupling as that is where the laser heads or sensors are mounted. While the EFFECT of soft foot is important, correcting the ACTUAL…
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Fasteners are a critical component of the precision shaft alignment process, yet the importance of fasteners is many times overlooked. If bolting is not selected, assembled, and torqued correctly, it can make the precision shaft alignment process less accurate, more difficult to achieve, and potentially harmful to the machines. While there are always unusual circumstances,…
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James Pekarek, one of our trainers, wrote a blog entitled “Performing Alignment Checks as Part of Your Preventive Maintenance”. https://acoem.us/shaft-alignment/performing-alignment-checks-part-preventive-maintenance/ It is a great article, and good advice. I recently shared this blog post, and the advice, with a customer of ours. Here’s why. I taught a training class at a large water plant in…
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On occasion, we are asked, “What are these numbers on the screen?” All our alignment tools (and most others) can be configured in Imperial or Metric. Most US users use Imperial (inches, feet, and so on). When we say, “Your laser displays in mils”, we’re asked, “What’s a mil?” Definition – [mil] noun. 1. a…
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Acoem USA has introduced the Runout Probe, an accessory device for the NXA Pro. I (as a jaded, grizzled old millwright-but a good “company man”) was outwardly excited. But inside, I thought, what’s the big deal? It’s an electronic dial indicator. That’s what I thought – until I took it for a test drive! I…
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