Flatness 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…

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Vertical Alignments Using the Fixturlaser NXA Pro OmniView

Many modern laser alignment systems include inclinometers that aid in the alignment process. Inclinometers, however, don’t work on vertically oriented machines. These include vertical “C” faced machines as well as vertical machines with feet. This meant that vertical machines required a 180-degree swing for accurate measurements and sensors were positioned the old-fashioned way by aligning…

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Generating an Alignment Report with the Fixturlaser NXA

When 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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Correcting for base bound or bolt bound conditions

A question often asked during our training classes is how to deal with base bound and/or bolt bound conditions when performing a precision shaft alignment on rotating machinery.   Base Bound and Bolt Bound Conditions Base bound is the vertical condition that occurs when the moveable machine needs to be lowered but is “bound” by…

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Geometric 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…

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Flatness 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…

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