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Geometric Measurement
Perspective
I don’t know about you, but in my nearly 45 years in industrial maintenance, there have been times when I felt stumped when trying to solve a problem. Sometimes you can just walk away and the solution comes to you while performing another task. Other times, a colleague or coworker may come along and have…
Read MoreQualifying the Fixturlaser Level When Using a Fixture
The Fixturlaser level is calibrated to earth level out of the box. If the level is used without a fixture it reads level directly. If a fixture is used, however, you must first qualify the level with the fixture. This is a very simple procedure when using the Fixturlaser NXA. Level measured with no fixture…
Read MoreThe Fixturlaser Level – a digital two axis high precision machinists’ level
The Fixturlaser Level is a high precision two axis digital machinist level. The primary application is base leveling. The Fixturlaser Level offers the following advantages: Two axis live measurement Calibrated to earth level out of the box No line of sight required Immediate feedback with live values Documentation of results Simple to qualify to other…
Read MoreThe Fixturlaser Level
The Fixturlaser Level is a two-axis level sensor that can be used wherever precision level measurements are required. It can be used to level machine bases or beds, bearings and journals, or for measuring “twist” on linear guide ways. The accuracy is very precise with resolution down to 0.01 mm/m (.1mil/1”) with a range of…
Read MoreVibrAlign Training During COVID-19
Like many people worldwide, the ACOEM VibrAlign Training Team is grounded while we wait this virus out. It is the right thing to do-for ourselves, our families, neighbors, co-workers, and nation. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t help YOU! If you have questions about alignment, vibration, or reliability of your equipment, WE CAN HELP! How?…
Read MoreFlatness Measurement Repeatability, Part 2
In a previous blog written by Brad Case (Sept 24, 2019), he explained how to perform a repeatability test and why it is good idea to do so. Here are few other items that have contributed to repeatability issues. 1) The top rails were not sufficiently clean prior to taking readings. Paint was not removed,…
Read MoreFlatness Measurement Repeatability Test
When performing the Ariel ER-82 Top Plane Compressor Frame Measurement, surrounding reciprocating compressors in operation may cause repeatability issues due to excessive vibration. To compensate for high/excessive vibration the Sampling Time (measurement time at each measurement location) in the Fixturlaser NXA Ultimate can be lengthened as needed. The NXA has a built in Repeatability Test…
Read MoreLong Distance Rough Alignment with the Coning Method
Recently, VibrAlign was called to consult with a customer to recommend a procedure and alignment tools for a very long-distance vertical pump alignment. First, we will describe the machine and then how we aligned it. This large raw sewage pump machine train begins at the driver level. In this plant, floor levels are described by…
Read MoreCompressor Rod Runout with the NXA Runout Probe
The Fixturlaser NXA Runout Probe was introduced last year as an accessory to the Fixturlaser NXA Pro and Ultimate alignment tools. As originally envisioned, the runout probe was designed with shaft and coupling runout measurements, and direct soft foot measurements in mind. The Runout Probe provides a digital linear displacement measurement, much like a dial…
Read MoreX, Y, Z Axis. What do they stand for?
Everything must have perspective, a point of view, to be communicated. To communicate the three spatial dimensions, we use the X,Y, Z coordinates. These denote height, width and depth. In referring to machinery we use the same X,Y, Z denotations, but we give them different values or meanings. To make it even more interesting, there…
Read MoreOEM Specifications
Whether instructing a training class for precision shaft alignment or geometric measurements, the topic of machine specifications frequently comes up. Specifications such as shaft alignment tolerances, bolt torque values, frame or base flatness requirements and the frequency of verification of these specifications are typical of what is asked. There are general industry specifications such as…
Read MoreVibrAlign Releases The Alignment Field Guide
Spanning over 250 pages, The Alignment Field Guide features articles covering a variety of shaft alignment topics, including common alignment issues, shims and hold down hardware, coupling alignments, belt and sheave alignments, and tips on saving time and money during your alignment procedure. The book also features full-color photos of alignments from the field, as…
Read MoreGeometric Flatness “Buck In” Procedure
Sometimes simple procedures can become huge pain points, especially when the necessary knowledge is not known or available. This has proven to be true with the geometric flatness “buck in” procedure involving a sweep laser transmitter and receiver (detector). First, let me begin by defining “buck in”, this phrase is utilized to describe the process…
Read MoreFlatness for Shaft Alignment-Revisited
A reader of our blog posted a comment stating that he could not cut a step shim to correct for angular soft foot, since it was not permitted in API standards. Which, naturally, made me do two things: • Look at API Standards, because, at least in my 33 years of aligning machinery, I have…
Read MoreDefining Level vs. Flat
In mechanical trades, most of us have been taught that most installed machines must be installed level and the bases must be flat. But contrary to what many of us think, level and flat are two completely different terms. Level simply means that the machine is parallel to earth, or horizontal. Flat means that the…
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