Flat Bases and Why They Matter

In reliability and maintenance, base-related vibration and alignment problems have been common issues encountered. Problems such as: Soft foot Bearing misalignment within machines – such as motors, pumps, compressors, etc. Seal and bearing failures – related to radial loading, due to tightening down the pump to a base that isn’t flat Hold down bolts becoming…

Read More

Qualifying 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 More

The 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 More

Flatness 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 More

Channel Strut as a Motor Sub-base?

At first thought it may sound like a good idea as the specialized fasteners in the channel make it easy to tighten the motor hold down bolts, however in reality it’s a cause for precision shaft alignment issues. Here’s why. A good pump/motor base is engineered to meet specific standards (IE: ANSI, API, etc.) with…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More