Vertically-mounted motors that are coupled may need alignment, whether they are C-faced or not. In cases where the motors are not C-faced, the shaft alignment is treated as a horizontally-mounted motor, with a couple exceptions. Here’s a quick walk-through on a Fixturlaser GO Pro. Inclinometers cannot be used, since they cannot detect changes in the…
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There are several things that must come into play to achieve a quick and accurate shaft alignment. One of those things is starting with a good foundation. By foundation, I mean everything between the bottom of the machine and the floor. So, let’s start at the bottom and work our way up. Inertia Block or…
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The pictures above are just a few ways to mount your laser alignment tool to the machinery you are aligning. We at VibrAlign field phone calls from time to time from folks wanting to know if their setup will work. Basically, if each sensor is mounted securely to the shaft you are trying to measure…
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Everyone has had shaft alignments that seemed to be possessed. Whether you’re using a laser alignment system or dial indicators, one set of readings tells you to go in one direction, the next set of readings tells you something completely different. If you’re having repeatability problems, something is loose. Is it that simple? Yes! So…
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The guy in the photo is Peter Eccleston. Peter is the Senior Technical Support Specialist for VibrAlign. Peter and the other technicians in the Repair Group perform calibrations and repair services on all of VibrAlign’s shaft alignment tools. They work hard to make sure your Fixturlaser shaft alignment tool is performing in tip top shape.…
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Last week, a customer asked me how to do a laser alignment on a fluid coupling. This question comes up occasionally, so I thought it would be a good subject to address here on thealignmentblog.com. First, it would be helpful to define “fluid coupling.” Fluid couplings transmit power from a driving shaft to a driven…
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Stainless steel shims have for the most part replaced cutting shims from rolled stock. They speed up the alignment process dramatically. They usually assure a more accurate alignment since they come in many different thicknesses. They are clean, flat, and their thickness is marked on each shim. Since they are stainless steel, they are not…
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Sometimes we get some funny looks during our shaft alignment training classes when we toss out our new word. Verti-what? Why do it that way? Some folks are still in the habit of checking and rechecking their alignment results to make sure one piece of the puzzle is in place before moving on. I guess…
Read MoreVibrAlign has launched a Free “Laser-Dials” Shaft Alignment App for iPhone, iPad, and Android that converts rotating shaft alignment data between dial indicator readings, and laser shaft alignment system angles and offsets. The “Laser-Dials” App is available for download at the Apple App Store and Google Play. Read more about the “Laser-Dials” App in our…
Read MoreVibrAlign has now launched www.CompressorAlignment.com, a website for Compressor Shaft Alignment and Flatness Measurement. Read more about it in our press release via PRWeb!
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Previous alignment blog postings have discussed the negative effects of soft foot on rotating machinery reliability and the importance of checking and correcting soft foot before proceeding with a shaft alignment. The question is: “does soft foot need to be checked during an alignment?” Possibly. During a recent GO Pro training class an alignment check…
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QUESTION: When mounting the lasers, if it isn’t possible to mount to the shafts, can they be mounted to a flanged sleeve gear type coupling? (The outer “floating hub”, not the inner one pressed on the shaft.) I have seen this done and do not think it is accurate due to the radial clearance between…
Read MorePardon the hiatus last week, folks. We did a little maintenance on the blog–be sure to check out the new tabs up top designed to help you navigate better. Let’s jump back into it–foot tolerances vs coupling center tolerances. It’s a hotly debated topic in some circles. I’m no great debater but let’s take a…
Read MoreAlthough the benefits of precision shaft alignment are well known to companies that do have a good shaft alignment program, it remains a fact that many machines are still not precision aligned. This can be attributed to difficulty in figuring out the return on investment. It is difficult because good alignment practices lead to cost…
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Not too long ago I was called to one of our sister shops to perform a laser shaft alignment on a 3600 RPM skid-mounted end-suction ANSI pump. Easy, right? Honestly, I made a few mistakes right off the bat: Thinking this would be easy (and starting right before quitting time). Taking for granted that all…
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